Berean Strong's Lexicon pharmakeus: Sorcerer, magician Original Word: φαρμακεύς Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word φάρμακον (pharmakon), meaning "a drug" or "a spell." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with similar practices is כָּשַׁף (kashaph), Strong's Hebrew 3784, which means "to practice sorcery" or "to enchant." Usage: The term "pharmakeus" refers to a person who practices sorcery or magic, often through the use of potions, spells, or drugs. In the biblical context, it is associated with those who engage in occult practices, which are condemned in Scripture as contrary to the worship and reliance on the one true God. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek and Roman cultures, sorcery and the use of potions were common practices. Sorcerers, or "pharmakeis," were believed to have the power to manipulate spiritual forces through their concoctions and rituals. Such practices were often linked to idolatry and pagan worship, which were prevalent in the societies surrounding the Israelites and early Christians. The Bible consistently warns against these practices, emphasizing the importance of faith in God alone. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5332 pharmakeús – a person using drug-based incantations or drugging religious enchantments; a pharmakeus-practitioner who "mixes up distorted religious potions" like a sorcerer-magician. They try to "work their magic" by performing pseudo "supernatural" stunts, weaving illusions about the Christian life to use "powerful" religious formulas ("incantations") that manipulate the Lord into granting more temporal gifts (especially "invincible health and wealth"). This has a "drugging" effect on the aspiring religious zealot, inducing them to think they have "special spiritual powers" (that do not operate in keeping with Scripture). See 5331 (pharmakeía). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originvariant reading for pharmakos, q.v. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5332: φαρμακεύςφαρμακεύς, φαρμακεως, ὁ (φάρμακον), one who prepares or uses magical remedies; a sorcerer: Revelation 21:8 Rec. (Sophicles, Plato, Josephus, Lucian, Plutarch, others.) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sorcerer. From pharmakon (a drug, i.e. Spell-giving potion); a druggist ("pharmacist") or poisoner, i.e. (by extension) a magician -- sorcerer. Forms and Transliterations εφαρμακεύετο φάρμακα φάρμακά φαρμακευομένη φαρμάκοις φαρμάκωνLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance φάραγξ — 1 Occ.Φαραὼ — 5 Occ. Φαρὲς — 3 Occ. Φαρισαῖε — 1 Occ. Φαρισαίων — 29 Occ. Φαρισαῖοι — 51 Occ. Φαρισαίοις — 2 Occ. Φαρισαῖος — 9 Occ. Φαρισαίου — 2 Occ. Φαρισαίους — 5 Occ. φαρμάκων — 1 Occ. φαρμακοὶ — 1 Occ. φαρμακοῖς — 1 Occ. φάσις — 1 Occ. ἔφασκεν — 1 Occ. φάσκοντες — 2 Occ. φάτνῃ — 3 Occ. φάτνης — 1 Occ. φαῦλα — 2 Occ. φαῦλον — 4 Occ. |