Lexical Summary manteuomai: to practice divination, to prophesy falsely Original Word: μαντεύομαι 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 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.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3132 appears once in the New Testament and describes the activity of obtaining supernatural knowledge by occult means. Whereas biblical prophecy flows from the Spirit of God (2 Peter 1:21), this practice relies on alien spiritual powers and is therefore sharply distinguished from genuine revelation. Occurrence in Scripture Acts 16:16 records that Paul and his companions were approached “by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling”. The term depicts the girl’s ongoing practice; it is not a one-time act but a habitual vocation. Luke presents the incident to show (1) the pervasive influence of pagan spirituality in first-century Macedonia, and (2) the unrivaled authority of Jesus Christ, whose name frees the oppressed and disrupts exploitative systems. Historical Background of Greco-Roman Divination In the wider Greco-Roman world, divination was both religious and commercial. Oracles such as Delphi, itinerant seers, and household mediums promised insight regarding health, travel, warfare, and finance. The mention of a “python” spirit—a term connected to the Delphic oracle—underscores that the girl in Philippi was part of this established network. Earnings for her owners indicate that fortune-telling could be lucrative, intertwining spiritual bondage with economic exploitation. Biblical Theology of Divination 1. Old Testament Prohibition 2. Prophetic Contrast 3. New Testament Continuity Scripture therefore offers a consistent witness: seeking knowledge or power apart from God’s prescribed means is idolatrous and harmful. Christ’s Supremacy over False Spiritual Powers When Paul commands, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” (Acts 16:18), the spirit instantly departs. The narrative highlights: Ministry Implications and Application 1. Discernment: Christian workers must distinguish between Spirit-inspired gifts (1 Corinthians 12) and counterfeit manifestations. Key Cross-References • Deuteronomy 18:10-12 Conclusion The single New Testament occurrence of Strong’s Greek 3132 illuminates a broader biblical doctrine: all attempts to manipulate or uncover hidden knowledge outside God’s revelation are illegitimate and dangerous. Yet the same passage magnifies the saving power of Jesus Christ, who conquers rival spirits, liberates the oppressed, and advances the gospel even through adversity. 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 |
    |