Strong's Lexicon puthón: Python, spirit of divination Original Word: πύθων Word Origin: Derived from Πυθώ (Pytho), the name of the region where Delphi, the seat of the famous oracle, was located. Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "puthón," related concepts can be found in entries such as Strong's Hebrew 7080 (qasam), which refers to divination or soothsaying, and Strong's Hebrew 3049 (yidde'oni), which refers to a familiar spirit or necromancer. Usage: In the New Testament, "puthón" refers to a spirit of divination or a demonic spirit that enables a person to predict the future. It is associated with the practice of soothsaying or fortune-telling, often linked to pagan rituals and idolatry. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, the term "python" was associated with the Pythian serpent or dragon that was said to guard the oracle at Delphi. The oracle was a significant religious site where the priestess, known as the Pythia, would deliver prophecies. The spirit of Python was believed to possess individuals, granting them the ability to foretell events, often for monetary gain. This practice was contrary to the teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures, which condemned divination and sought to distinguish the true prophetic voice of God from pagan practices. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Puthó (Pytho, an area of Greece) Definition Python, a mythical serpent slain by Apollo, divination NASB Translation divination (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4436: ΠυθώνΠυθών, Πύθωνος, ὁ, Python; 1. in Greek mythology the name of the Pythian serpent or dragon that dwelt in the region of Pytho at the foot of Parnassus in Phocis, and was said to have guarded the oracle of Delphi and been slain by Apollo. 2. equivalent to δαιμόνιον μαντικον (Hesychius, under the word), a spirit of divination: πνεῦμα Πύθωνος, or more correctly (with L T Tr WH) πνεῦμα πύθωνα (on the union of two substantives one of which has the force of an adjective see Matthiae, p. 962, 4; (Kühner, § 405, 1; Lob. Paralip. 344f)), Acts 16:16; some interpreters think that the young woman here mentioned was a ventriloquist, appealing to Plutarch, who tells us (mor., p. 414 e. de def. orac. 9) that in his time ἐγγαστριμυθοι were called πυθωνες; (cf. Meyer). From Putho (the name of the region where Delphi, the seat of the famous oracle, was located); a Python, i.e. (by analogy, with the supposed diviner there) inspiration (soothsaying) -- divination. |
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