Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Diana, known in the Greek as Artemis, is a prominent figure in the New Testament, particularly in the context of the early Christian church's encounters with pagan religions. She was a goddess worshiped in the ancient city of Ephesus, which was a major center of her cult. The worship of Diana is mentioned in the Book of Acts, highlighting the cultural and religious challenges faced by the early Christians. Biblical References: The primary biblical reference to Diana is found in Acts 19, where the Apostle Paul’s missionary work in Ephesus leads to a significant conflict with the local worshipers of Diana. The Berean Standard Bible provides a detailed account of this event: · Acts 19:24-28 : "For a silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a great deal of business for the craftsmen. He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades. 'Men,' he said, 'you know that this business is our source of prosperity. And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great number of people. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited and her majesty deposed, she who is worshiped by all the province of Asia and the world.' When they heard this, they were enraged and began shouting, 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!'" Historical and Cultural Context: Diana, or Artemis, was a goddess associated with hunting, wilderness, and fertility. In Ephesus, she was revered as a mother goddess and protector of the city. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, reflecting her significant influence and the devotion of her followers. The worship of Diana was deeply ingrained in the Ephesian economy and culture. Artisans, like Demetrius, profited from the sale of idols and religious artifacts, making the spread of Christianity a direct threat to their livelihood. The uproar in Ephesus, as described in Acts 19, underscores the tension between the nascent Christian faith and established pagan practices. Theological Implications: The account of Diana in Acts highlights the early church's confrontation with idolatry and the transformative power of the Gospel. Paul's message challenged the very foundation of pagan worship by asserting the supremacy of the one true God over man-made deities. This confrontation serves as a testament to the early Christians' commitment to monotheism and their rejection of idolatry, as emphasized throughout Scripture. Impact on Early Christianity: The incident in Ephesus illustrates the broader struggle of the early church to establish itself in a world dominated by polytheistic beliefs. The resistance faced by Paul and his companions is indicative of the broader societal challenges encountered by Christians as they spread the Gospel. Despite the opposition, the church continued to grow, demonstrating the resilience and appeal of the Christian message. Conclusion: While the worship of Diana was a significant aspect of Ephesian life, the spread of Christianity ultimately led to the decline of her cult. The account in Acts serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of the Gospel and the enduring challenge of confronting cultural and religious norms with the truth of God's Word. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary DianaSmith's Bible Dictionary DianaThis Latin word, properly denoting a Roman divinity, is the representative of the Greek Artemus , the tutelary goddess of the Ephesians, who plays so important a part in the narrative of Acts 19. The Ephesian Diana was, however, regarded as invested with very different attributes, and is rather to be identified with Astarte and other female divinities of the East. The head wore a mural crown, each hand held a bar of metal, and the lower part ended in a rude block covered with figures of animals and mystic inscriptions. This idol was regarded as an object of peculiar sanctity, and was believed to have fallen down from heaven. (Acts 19:35) ATS Bible Dictionary DianaOr ARTEMIS, a celebrated goddess of the Romans and Greeks, and one of their twelve superior deities. In the heavens she was Luna, (the moon,) on earth Diana, in the unseen world Hectate. She was invoked by women in childbirth under the name of Lucina. She was usually represented with a crescent on her head, a bow in her hand, and dressed in a hunting-habit, because she was said to preside over forests and hunting. Diana was said to be the daughter of Jupiter by Latona, and twin sister of Apollo. As Hectate, she was regarded as sanguinary and pitiless; as goddess of hunting and the forests, she was chaste, but haughty and vindictive; as associated with the moon, she was capricious and wanton. The Diana of Ephesus was like the Syrian goddess Ashtoreth, and appears to have been worshipped with impure rites and magical mysteries, Acts 19:19. Her image, fabled to have fallen down from Jupiter in heaven, seems to have been a block of wood tapering to the foot, with a female bust above covered with many breasts, the head crowned with turrets, and each hand resting on a staff. It was of great antiquity, and highly venerated. The temple of this goddess was the pride and glory of Ephesus. It was 425 feet long, and 220 broad, and had 127 columns of white marble, each 60 feet high. Its treasures were of immense value. It was 220 years in building, and was one of the seven wonders of the world. In the year when Alexander the Great was born, B. C. 356, it was burned down by one Herostratus, in order to immortalize his name, but was afterwards rebuilt with even greater splendor. The "silver shrines for Diana," made by Demetrius and others, were probably small models of the same for domestic use, and for sale to travellers and visitors. Ancient coins of Ephesus represent the shrine and statue of Diana, with a Greek inscription, meaning "of the Ephesians," Acts 19:28,34,35. Easton's Bible Dictionary So called by the Romans; called Artemis by the Greeks, the "great" goddess worshipped among heathen nations under various modifications. Her most noted temple was that at Ephesus. It was built outside the city walls, and was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. "First and last it was the work of 220 years; built of shining marble; 342 feet long by 164 feet broad; supported by a forest of columns, each 56 feet high; a sacred museum of masterpieces of sculpture and painting. At the centre, hidden by curtains, within a gorgeous shrine, stood the very ancient image of the goddess, on wood or ebony reputed to have fallen from the sky. Behind the shrine was a treasury, where, as in `the safest bank in Asia,' nations and kings stored their most precious things. The temple as St. Paul saw it subsisted till A.D. 262, when it was ruined by the Goths" (Acts 19:23-41)., Moule on Ephesians: Introd. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) The daughter of Jupiter and Latona; a virgin goddess who presided over hunting, chastity, and marriage; -- identified with the Greek goddess Artemis.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DIANA; ARTEMISdi-an'-a (Artemis "prompt," "safe"): A deity of Asiatic origin, the mother goddess of the earth, whose seat of worship was the temple in Ephesus, the capital of the Roman province of Asia. Diana is but the Latinized form of the Greek word Artemis, yet the Artemis of Ephesus should not be confused with the Greek goddess of that name. Greek 735. Artemis -- Artemis, the name of the Gr. goddess of the hunt ... worshipped principally at Ephesus, typifying fertility (she had no relation with the other Artemis, the maiden huntress, to whom corresponded the Latin Diana). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/735.htm - 6k Library Concerning Apollo and Diana, and the Other Select Gods whom they ... Days of Toil and Trial Touching Next Upon the Training of a virgin, He Speaks of ... Some of Your Learned Men Men, Too, who do not Chatter Merely ... And, I Ask, what Reason is There, what Unavoidable Necessity... The Fight with Wild Beasts at Ephesus Acts xix. 21, 23 Ephesus Paul's Journeys Acts 13:1-38:31 Epistles to the Seven Churches. Thesaurus Diana (5 Occurrences)... identified with the Greek goddess Artemis. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DIANA; ARTEMIS. di-an'-a (Artemis "prompt," "safe"): A ... /d/diana.htm - 15k Artemis (5 Occurrences) Ephesus (20 Occurrences) Demetrius (3 Occurrences) Worshipper (15 Occurrences) Diamond (5 Occurrences) Crying (247 Occurrences) Knoweth (152 Occurrences) Naomi (25 Occurrences) Naught (40 Occurrences) Resources How did Timothy die? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the Artemis mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Is it wrong for a Christian to be a fan of superhero fiction? | GotQuestions.org Diana: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Diana (5 Occurrences)Acts 19:24 Acts 19:27 Acts 19:28 Acts 19:34 Acts 19:35 Subtopics Diana: Goddess of the Ephesians Related Terms |