### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **dolióō**, represented by `{{G1387}}`, means **to be guileful** or to **use deceit**. It is a rare term, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible. Its meaning is rooted in the concept of using craftiness and trickery, particularly through speech.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{G1387}}` is in [[Romans 3:13]], where it is part of a larger description of human sinfulness. The verse states, "with their tongues they have **used deceit**," directly linking the action of being guileful to the tongue. This use is set within a series of powerful metaphors, where the throat is compared to an "open sepulchre" and the lips hold the "poison of asps," emphasizing the deadly and corrupting nature of deceptive speech.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its biblical context illuminate the meaning of `{{G1387}}`:
* `{{G1100}}` **glōssa** (the tongue): This is the instrument through which deceit is enacted in [[Romans 3:13]]. It is often depicted as a source of both good and evil, as in [[James 3:6]] where the **tongue** is called "a fire, a world of iniquity."
* `{{G2995}}` **lárynx** (the throat): In the context of the verse, the **throat** is described as an "open sepulchre," creating a vivid image of how deceitful words originate from a place of spiritual death and decay [[Romans 3:13]].
* `{{G5028}}` **táphos** (a grave): This word is used metaphorically to describe the throat, linking deceit to the uncleanness and finality of a **sepulchre** [[Romans 3:13]].
* `{{G2447}}` **iós** (venom): The result of deceitful speech is described as **poison**, specifically the venom of asps, highlighting its deadly effect on others [[Romans 3:13]]. The same word is used in [[James 3:8]] to describe the tongue as being "full of deadly **poison**."
* `{{G5491}}` **cheîlos** (a lip): The **lips** are identified as the location where the "poison of asps" resides, reinforcing the idea that speech is the primary vehicle for this destructive guile [[Romans 3:13]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G1387}}` is concentrated in its single, powerful usage.
* **The Corruption of Speech:** The use of `{{G1387}}` in [[Romans 3:13]] is a key part of the argument for humanity's universal sinfulness. It demonstrates that sin corrupts the fundamental human ability to communicate, turning the tongue into an instrument of guile.
* **Deceit as a Sign of Death:** By associating a deceitful tongue with a throat that is an "open sepulchre" `{{G5028}}`, the scripture theologically links guileful words with spiritual death and moral decay.
* **The Destructive Power of Words:** The imagery of the "poison `{{G2447}}` of asps `{{G785}}`" under the lips illustrates that deceit is not a harmless act. It is presented as actively toxic and lethal, capable of inflicting deep harm.
### Summary
In summary, while `{{G1387}}` appears only once, its placement in [[Romans 3:13]] gives it significant theological weight. It encapsulates the concept of guileful and crafty communication as a profound symptom of human sin. By linking this deceit with metaphors of the grave and poison, the Bible portrays it not as a simple falsehood, but as a destructive force rooted in a heart separated from God.
TRV