Original Word: φαρμακός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: pharmakos
Pronunciation: far-mak-os'
Phonetic Spelling: (far-mak-os')
Definition: Sorcerer, magician
Meaning: a magician, sorcerer.

Word Origin: Derived from 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 "pharmakos" refers to individuals who practice sorcery or witchcraft, often involving the use of drugs, potions, or spells to manipulate or control spiritual forces. In the New Testament, it is used to describe those who engage in occult practices, which are condemned as contrary to the worship of the one true God.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient Greco-Roman world, sorcery and magic were common practices. Sorcerers, or "pharmakoi," were believed to have the power to influence the spiritual realm through the use of potions and incantations. These practices were often associated with idolatry and pagan rituals. The early Christian community, rooted in Jewish monotheism, rejected such practices as they were seen as attempts to usurp God's authority and rely on demonic powers.

Cognate: 5333 phármakos – properly, a sorcerer; used of people using drugs and "religious incantations" to drug people into living by their illusions – like having magical (supernatural) powers to manipulate God into giving them more temporal possessions.

Word Origin
from pharmakon (a drug)
Definition
a poisoner, sorcerer, magician
NASB Translation
sorcerers (2).

STRONGS NT 5333: φάρμακος

φάρμακος, φαρμακη, φάρμακον (φαρμάσσω (to use a φάρμακον)) (from Aristophanes down);

1. pertaining to magical arts.

2. ὁ φάρμακος, a substantive, i. e. φαρμακεύς, which see: Revelation 21:8 G L T Tr WH; Revelation 22:15. (The Sept. several times for מְכַשֵּׁף.)

sorcerer.

The same as pharmakeus -- sorcerer.

φαρμακοι φαρμακοί φαρμακοὶ φάρμακοι φαρμακοις φαρμακοίς φαρμακοῖς φαρμάκοις φαρμακός φαρμακού φαρμακούς φαρμακων φαρμακών φαρμάκων φαρουρείμ φάρυγγα φάρυγγά φάρυγγος φάρυγξ φασέκ pharmakoi pharmakoì pharmakois pharmakoîs pharmakon pharmakōn pharmákon pharmákōnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts