Berean Strong's Lexicon manteuomai: to practice divination, to prophesy falsely Original Word: μαντεύομαι Word Origin: Middle voice of a derivative of a presumed mantis (a prophet, seer) Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with divination is קָסַם (qacam), which appears in passages like Deuteronomy 18:10, where divination is explicitly forbidden among God's people. Usage: The Greek verb "manteuomai" refers to the act of divination or false prophecy. It is used in the New Testament to describe the practice of seeking to predict the future or gain hidden knowledge through supernatural means, often associated with pagan rituals and false prophets. This term carries a negative connotation, as it is contrary to the reliance on God for guidance and truth. Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient Greco-Roman world, divination was a common practice. People sought guidance from oracles, seers, and various forms of divination to make decisions or understand future events. This practice was often linked to pagan religions and involved rituals that were considered abominable by Jewish and early Christian standards. The Bible consistently warns against such practices, emphasizing trust in God alone for wisdom and direction. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mantis (a seer) Definition to divine NASB Translation fortune-telling (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3132: μαντεύομαιμαντεύομαι; (μάντις (a seer; allied to μανία, μαίνομαι; cf. Curtius, § 429)); from Homer down; to act as seer; deliver an oracle, prophesy, divine: Acts 16:16 μαντευομένη, of a false prophetess (A. V. by soothsaying). The Sept. for קָסַם, to practise divination; said of false prophets. (On the heathen character of the suggestions and associations of the word, as distinguished from προφητεύω, see Trench, N. T. Synonyms, § vi.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance soothsaying. From a derivative of mainomai (meaning a prophet, as supposed to rave through inspiration); to divine, i.e. Utter spells (under pretense of foretelling -- by soothsaying. see GREEK mainomai Forms and Transliterations εμαντεύοντο μάντεις μαντεύεσθαί μαντευομενη μαντευομένη μαντευόμενοι μαντεύομενοι μαντευόμενος μαντευομένων μαντεύσασθαι μαντεύσησθε μάντευσον μάντιν manteuomene manteuomenē manteuoméne manteuoménēLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 16:16 V-PPM/P-NFSGRK: κυρίοις αὐτῆς μαντευομένη NAS: much profit by fortune-telling. KJV: much gain by soothsaying: INT: masters of her by fortune-telling |
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