735. Artemis
Lexical Summary
Artemis: Artemis

Original Word: Ἄρτεμις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Artemis
Pronunciation: AR-teh-mis
Phonetic Spelling: (ar'-tem-is)
KJV: Diana
NASB: Artemis
Word Origin: [probably from a derivative of G737 (ἄρτι - now)]

1. prompt
2. Artemis, the name of a Grecian goddess borrowed by the Asiatics for one of their deities

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Diana.

Probably from the same as artemon; prompt; Artemis, the name of a Grecian goddess borrowed by the Asiatics for one of their deities -- Diana.

see GREEK artemon

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
Artemis, the name of the Gr. goddess of the hunt
NASB Translation
Artemis (5).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 735: Ἄρτεμις

Ἄρτεμις, Ἀρτέμιδος and Ἀρτεμιος, , Artemis, that is to say, the so-called Tauric or Persian or Ephesian Artemis, the goddess of many Asiatic peoples, to be distinguished from the Artemis of the Greeks, the sister of Apollo; cf. Grimm on 2 Macc., p. 39; (B. D. under the word ). A very splendid temple was built to her at Ephesus, which was set on fire by Herostratus and reduced to ashes; but afterward, in the time of Alexander the Great, it was rebuilt in a style of still greater magnificence: Acts 19:24, 27f, 34f. Gr. Stark in Schenkel i., p. 604f, under the word Diana; (Wood, Discoveries at Ephesus, Lond. 1877).

Topical Lexicon
Name and Identity

Artemis (Strong’s Greek 735) is the name used in the New Testament for the principal deity of Ephesus, whose Latin equivalent is Diana. In Asia Minor she was venerated primarily as a mother-goddess and patroness of fertility, distinct from the Greek huntress Artemis though often conflated with her.

Occurrences in Scripture

Acts 19:24, 27, 28, 34, 35. All five usages fall within Luke’s account of Paul’s extended ministry in Ephesus, forming the backdrop for the unrest instigated by Demetrius the silversmith.

Historical Background

1. The Ephesian temple of Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, rebuilt after the 356 BC fire and measuring about 110 × 55 meters.
2. Pilgrims, merchants, and artisans converged on Ephesus for her festivals, creating a lucrative trade in miniature silver shrines (Acts 19:24).
3. Inscriptions and coins portray her with multiple breasts or rows of eggs, emphasizing fertility. Local myths taught that the sacred image “fell from heaven” (Acts 19:35).

Religious Significance in Ephesus

Artemis was viewed as the city’s protector, the guarantor of continued prosperity, and the unifying symbol of civic pride. Her cult combined religion, culture, and economy, so any perceived threat to her honor carried social and financial ramifications.

Paul’s Conflict with Artemis Worship

1. The spread of the gospel endangered idolatry-based commerce: “This man Paul has persuaded and turned a great number of people… saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all” (Acts 19:26).
2. Demetrius mobilized craftsmen, inciting a riot that filled the theater: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (Acts 19:28).
3. The city clerk’s speech shows the official anxiety to preserve civic order while affirming Artemis’ supremacy (Acts 19:35-40).
4. The disturbance underscores the gospel’s power: rather than accommodating the prevailing cult, Paul’s message directly challenged it, leading to public separation between idolatry and those who followed “the Way” (Acts 19:9).

Theological Implications

• Exclusivity of Worship. Scripture consistently condemns idolatry (Exodus 20:3-4; 1 Corinthians 10:14). The Ephesian episode illustrates how proclaiming Christ exposes and displaces false gods.
• Spiritual Warfare. Behind Artemis worship lay demonic deception (1 Corinthians 10:20). Paul later reminded the Ephesian believers that their struggle was “against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
• Supremacy of Christ. The living God “does not live in temples built by human hands” (Acts 17:24). The impotence of handmade gods contrasts with the risen Lord who rules heaven and earth.

Practical Ministry Lessons

1. Gospel Proclamation Confronts Cultural Idols. Contemporary evangelism must expect opposition when financial interests are tied to false worship or immoral practices.
2. Courage and Prudence. Paul did not voluntarily enter the theater (Acts 19:30-31), showing wisdom in avoiding unnecessary danger while remaining steadfast in mission.
3. Community Transformation. As conversions multiplied, the economic base of idolatry eroded; genuine revival carries social consequences (cf. Acts 19:18-19).
4. Civic Engagement. The city clerk’s appeal to lawful processes (Acts 19:39) reminds believers to respect governing authorities while pursuing God’s mission (Romans 13:1-7).

Legacy and Continual Relevance

Although the temple now lies in ruins, the narrative of Artemis highlights enduring realities: the allure of material prosperity linked to false religion, the inevitable clash between the gospel and idolatry, and the triumph of Christ’s kingdom. Modern “temples” may differ in form, yet the call remains to “keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21) and to proclaim the Lord who alone is “worthy to receive glory and honor and power” (Revelation 4:11).

Forms and Transliterations
Αρτεμιδος Ἀρτέμιδος Αρτεμις Ἄρτεμις Artemidos Artémidos Artemis Ártemis
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 19:24 N-GFS
GRK: ναοὺς ἀργυροῦς Ἀρτέμιδος παρείχετο τοῖς
NAS: shrines of Artemis, was bringing
KJV: silver shrines for Diana, brought no
INT: shrines silver of Artemis brought to the

Acts 19:27 N-GFS
GRK: μεγάλης θεᾶς Ἀρτέμιδος ἱερὸν εἰς
NAS: goddess Artemis be regarded
KJV: goddess Diana should be despised,
INT: great goddess Artemis temple for

Acts 19:28 N-NFS
GRK: Μεγάλη ἡ Ἄρτεμις Ἐφεσίων
NAS: Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!
KJV: Great [is] Diana of the Ephesians.
INT: Great [is] Artemis of [the] Ephesians

Acts 19:34 N-NFS
GRK: Μεγάλη ἡ Ἄρτεμις Ἐφεσίων
NAS: Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!
KJV: Great [is] Diana of the Ephesians.
INT: Great [is] Artemis of [the] Ephesians

Acts 19:35 N-GFS
GRK: τῆς μεγάλης Ἀρτέμιδος καὶ τοῦ
NAS: of the great Artemis and of the [image] which fell down from heaven?
KJV: goddess Diana, and
INT: of the great Artemis and of that

Strong's Greek 735
5 Occurrences


Ἀρτέμιδος — 3 Occ.
Ἄρτεμις — 2 Occ.

734
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