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DEFINITIONS of φαρμακεία, 'pharmakeia' meaning 'sorcery' or 'use of drugs'

This bible study explains the definitions of the word φαρμακεία, pharmakeia, from seven diiferent authoritative sources.

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Greek scriptures for φαρμακεία 'pharmakeia' meaning 'sorcery'

#1. DEFINITIONS OF SORCERY

#1.1 GREEK DICTIONARY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT by James Strong

5331 φαρμακεία pharmakeia, far-mak-i'-ah; from 5332; medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extens.) magic (lit. or fig.):- sorcery, witchcraft.
5332 φαρμακεύς pharmakeus, far-mak-yoos’; from φάρμακον pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion); a druggist ("pharmacist") or poisoner, i.e. (by extens.) a magician:- sorcerer.
5333 φάρμακός pharmakos, far-mak-os'; the same as 5332:- sorcerer.

#1.2 NEW AMERICAN STANDARD Dictionary

5331. φαρμακεία pharmakeia; from φαρμακεύω pharmakeuō (to administer drugs); the use of medicine, drugs or spells:- sorceries(1), sorcery(2).
5332. φαρμακεύς pharmakeus; see 5333.
5333. φάρμακός pharmakos; from φάρμακον pharmakon (a drug); devoted to magical arts, a magician:- sorcerers(2)

#1.3 EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF BIBLE WORDS by W.E.Vine

SORCERER

1. MAGOS ....
2. PHARMAKOS (φάρμακός), an adjective signifying 'devoted to magical arts,' is used as a noun, a sorcerer, especially one who uses drugs, potions, spells, enchantments, Rev. 21:8, in the best texts (some have pharmakeus), and 22:15.¶

SORCERY
A. NOUNS.
1. PHARMAKIA (or -EIA) (φαρμακεία) (Eng., pharmacy etc.) primarily signified the use of medicine, drugs, spells; then, poisoning; then, sorcery, Gal. 5:20, R.V., "sorcery" (A.V., "witchcraft"), mentioned as one of "the works of the flesh." See also Rev. 9:21; 18:23.¶ In the Sept. Ex 7:11, 22; 8:7, 18; Isa 47:9, 12.¶ In sorcery, the use of drugs, whether simple or potent, was generally accompanied by incantations and appeals to occult powers, with the provision of various charms, amulets, etc., professedly designed to keep the applicant or patient from the attention and power of demons, but actually to impress the applicant with the mysterious resources and powers of the sorcerer.

#1.4 LINGUISTIC KEY of the NEW TESTAMENT by Fitz Reinecker and Cleon Rogers p517

φαρμακεία the use of medicine or drugs, the use of drugs for magical purposes, magic, sorcery (Burton; Guthrie; Rev. 9:21).

#1.5 Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament by Joseph H. Thayer p649

5331 φαρμακεία ( ...), -ας, ἡ, (φαρμακεύω); a. the use or the administering of drugs ... b. poisoning ... c. sorcery, magical arts ...

#1.6 The New ANALYTICAL GREEK LEXICON by Wesley J. Perschbacher 426

(5331) φαρμακεία ας, ἡ,, nom.sg.f.n. [§2.B.b;2.2] (φάρμακον, a drug) employment of drugs for any purpose; sorcery, magic,enchantment, Rev. 9:21; 18:23 (Gal. 5:20, GNT, MT, TR + NA | φαρμακεία, WH)
(5332) φαρμακεύς, έως, ὁ (§5.E.d) pr. one who deals in drugs; an enchanter, magician, sorcerer, Acts 21:8. ...

#1.7 The ANALYTICAL GREEK LEXICON REVISED by Harold K. Moulton p423

φαρμακεία ας, ἡ,, (§ 2. tab. B. b, and rem. 2) (φάρμακον, a drug) employment of drugs for any purpose; sorcery, magic, enchantment, Gal. 5.20; Re. 9.21; 18.23.
φαρμακεύς, έως, ὁ, (§ 5. tab. E. d) pr. one who deals in drugs; an enchanter, magician, sorcerer, Ac. 21.8.
φάρμακός, ου, ὁ, (§ 3. tab. C. a) a sorcerer, Re 21.8; 22.15.

#1.8 MANUAL GREEK LEXICON OF THE NEW TESTAMENT by G. Abbott-Smithn p466

φαρμακεύς, έως, ὁ (<φάρμακον), a sorcerer: Revelation 21:8, Rec.+
φαρμακεία (Rec. -εία), -ας, η (<φαρμακεύω, to administer drugs), poët. and late prose form of φαρμακεία, [in LXX: Ex 7:11,22 8:7,18 (3,14) (...), Is 47:9,12 (...), Wi 12:4 18:13* ;} 1. generally, the use of medicine, drugs or spells (Xen.). 2. (a) poisoning (Plut., Polyb.); (b) sorcery, witchcraft: Galatians 5:20 (v. Lft., in l.), Re 9:21 (WH, txt., φαρμάκων) 18:23 (cf. LXX, ll. c.).+
φάρμακον, -ου, τό, {in LXX for ... ;} (a) a drug (b) an incantation, enchantment: (Revelation 9:21, Tr., mg., WH, txt. (RV, sorceries).+

#1.9 CONCLUSION on DEFINITIONS

There can be little doubt from these definitions that all forms of drug taking, whether through addiction to hard drugs, or smoking, or drinking of alcohol, or for healing of the body, when taken specifically for the effect that they are expected to produce, can be linked to an act of sorcery. Examine these definitions of Sorcery:

(1) medication ("Pharmacy") ... (#1.1),
(2) the use of medicine, drugs or spells: ... (#1.2),
(3) (Eng., pharmacy etc.) primarily signifies the use of medicine, drugs, spells: ... (#1.3),
(4) the use of medicine or drugs ... (#1.4),
(5) the use or administering of drugs ... (#1.5),
(6) employment of drugs for any purpose ... (#1.6),
(7) employment of drugs for any purpose ... (#1.7).
(8) the use of medicine, drugs or spells ... (#1.8).

Examine these definitions of a sorcerer:
(1) a druggist (pharmacist) or poisoner ... (#1.1),
(2) especially one who uses drugs, potions, spells, ... (#1.3),
(3) one who deals in drugs ... (#1.6).
(4) one who deals in drugs ... (#1.7).

Can there be any doubt that the roots of modern medicine are based in sorcery and witchcraft? In the past, witches and sorcerers could mix potions and cast spells on people to have the desired effect; compare that with modern times using medicines or drugs (potions), and hypnotherapy (casting spells), which is a practice now accepted by the medical authorities in some countries. So let us state the conclusion from this, that SOME OF modern day sorcery is now practised under the name of MEDICAL SCIENCE, a system which God will condemn in the judgement, even though it has good intentions. It is man rejecting the healing of God through Jesus Christ, and trying to do it himself: it is self-righteousness.
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