Strong’s Greek 1747 describes the act of setting an ambush—an intentional, concealed arrangement designed to entrap and destroy. Though the term appears only twice in the Greek New Testament, its narrative setting in Acts unfolds rich themes of human plotting, divine protection, and the perseverance of gospel mission.

Occurrences in Acts

1. Acts 23:16—“But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush, he went into the barracks and told Paul.”
• More than forty conspirators (Acts 23:13) secretly covenant to murder Paul. The ambush targets a messenger of Christ, revealing violent hostility toward the apostolic witness.
• God sovereignly thwarts the plot through the unnoticed presence of Paul’s nephew, illustrating that providence often works through ordinary relationships and timely information.

2. Acts 25:3—“They requested a favor against Paul: that Festus have him brought to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.”
• Two years later, the same murderous intent resurfaces. The Sanhedrin’s intrigue shows persistence of opposition; yet again the scheme fails, as Festus retains Paul under Roman protection.
• The repetition underscores a pattern: the enemies of the gospel remain resourceful, but their designs cannot override God’s larger purpose for the apostle to testify in Rome (Acts 23:11).

Historical Background: Ambush in Ancient Warfare and Law

Ambush tactics were common in both military and judicial contexts of the Greco-Roman world. Secret violence—especially against a political or religious figure—was judged more reprehensible than open combat because it combined murder with deceit. Luke’s record, therefore, highlights the conspirators’ moral bankruptcy, contrasting it with Roman concern for legal procedure and Paul’s own transparent conduct.

Theological Themes

• Divine Preservation. Each reference to ambush serves as a frame for God’s protective care. The promise “you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11) governs subsequent events; plots cannot prevail where God has decreed missionary advance.
• Human Responsibility. Paul’s nephew’s intervention and the Roman commander’s decisive action (Acts 23:17-24) model prudent steps that cooperate with providence without presuming upon it.
• Exposure of Spiritual Hostility. The hidden ambush mirrors the sinister character of opposition to truth. Proverbs 1:11-12 and Psalm 10:8 depict the wicked as lying in wait for blood; Acts supplies a New-Covenant instance.

Ministry Applications

1. Vigilance. Pastors and believers must heed the call to “be sober-minded; be watchful” (1 Peter 5:8). Hidden assaults—whether physical, ideological, or moral—require alertness and prayer.
2. Integrity in Conflict. Unlike his adversaries, Paul maintains transparent appeal to lawful protection (Acts 25:10-11). Ministry conducted in the open honors God and gains credibility before authorities.
3. Confidence in Mission. Attempts to silence gospel proclamation will arise, yet Christ’s servants proceed with assurance that no ambush can nullify the Lord’s commission (Matthew 28:20).

Cross-References to the Concept of Ambush

• Joshua 8:4-7—Israel conquers Ai through a righteous ambush, showing that strategy itself is neutral; motive determines morality.
• Judges 20:29—An ambush brings judgment on Benjamin, illustrating divine use of human tactics.
• Proverbs 12:6—“The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.”
• John 7:1—Jesus avoids Judea because the Jews seek to kill Him, a foreshadowing of the concealed threats faced by His apostles.

Christological Perspective

Paul’s repeated preservation prefigures the greater deliverance accomplished in Christ. Unlike Paul, Jesus ultimately submits to the plot against Him (Matthew 26:4), turning the enemy’s scheme into the means of atonement. Thus, the thwarted ambushes in Acts serve as reminders that the victory of the cross guarantees the ultimate failure of every hostile design against God’s redemptive plan.

Conclusion

Strong’s 1747 does more than denote a military tactic; it illuminates the clash between hidden human malice and the manifest faithfulness of God. Through ordinary agents and lawful means, the Lord dismantles ambushes, preserves His witnesses, and advances the gospel—assuring every generation of believers that His purpose cannot be ambushed.