Bible Dictionary
EVIL THING
An evil thought, plan, deed, or harmful circumstance. Scripture warns against desiring evil things and teaches that evil may arise from the sinful heart or be suffered as a consequence of wrongdoing.
Definition
An evil thing may be an evil thought, plan, word, deed, or circumstance suffered because of one’s own wrongs or the errors of others. The expression includes both moral wrongdoing and harmful conditions.
Biblical Usage
Scripture speaks of people inventing evil things, bringing evil out of an evil heart, and desiring evil things. It also contrasts the good and evil circumstances experienced in life, as in the account of the rich man and Lazarus.
Historical Background
The biblical language can refer either to the actions of evil people or to sufferings and consequences associated with wrongdoing, whether one’s own or another’s.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(to kakon, plural in Lu 16:25):</p><p>An evil thing or evil things may be the thoughts of evil men, their plans or their deeds; or the things men suffer for their own wrongs; or the evils consequent upon the errors of others. In the dark picture of fallen men in Ro 1:30, "inventors of evil things" appear. "The evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil (poneros) things" (Mt 12:35). Men should not lust after evil (kakos) things (1Co 10:6). This fixing the mind upon, with desire, leads to increased wrong. "The mouth of the wicked poureth out evil (ra') things" (Pr 15:28). The rich man had good things in his life, but did not use them to the glory of God or the good of men. The poor man had evil things: sickness, nakedness, hunger. The scene changes after death (Lu 16:25).</p><p>David Roberts Dungan</p>