Bible Dictionary
DEVICE
A device is a plan, invention, scheme, or plot. Scripture uses the word for ordinary human contrivances as well as wicked purposes, including Satan’s devices.
Definition
A device is a plan, invention, scheme, or plot. It may refer neutrally to something designed or contrived, or negatively to a wicked purpose, deception, or conspiracy.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses device for artistic invention, general reasoning, and contriving, but more often for evil schemes and plots. Believers are warned that they are not ignorant of Satan’s devices.
Historical Background
The Old Testament term most commonly represented comes from a verb meaning to think or contrive. In the New Testament the word occurs for an invention or thought and for a malicious scheme.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>de-vis': "A scheme," "invention," "plot." In the Old Testament it stands for six Hebrew words, of which the most common is machashebheth (from chashabh, "to think," "contrive"). In the New Testament it occurs only twice, once for Greek enthumesis (Ac 17:29), and once for noema (2Co 2:11). Sometimes the word means simply that which is planned or invented, without any evil implication, as in 2Ch 2:14; Ac 17:29 (of artistic work or invention), and Ec 9:10 (in the general sense of reasoning or contriving). But more frequently it is used in an evil sense, of a wicked purpose or plot, "Let us devise devices against Jeremiah" (Jer 18:18); "For we are not ignorant of his (i.e. Satan's) devices" (2Co 2:11), etc.</p><p>D. Miall Edwards</p>