Ἐλύμας (Elumas)
Elumas
Elymas
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The proper noun Elumas appears only once in the New Testament, identifying a Jewish magician encountered by Paul and Barnabas on the island of Cyprus (Acts 13:8). The sources indicate that this name is of foreign origin, likely Aramaic or Arabic, and translates to "wise man" or "sorcerer." It serves as an epithet for Bar-Jesus, who opposed the missionaries.
This single occurrence highlights a specific encounter rather than a theological concept. The term distinguishes the character’s claimed wisdom from the spiritual authority Paul demonstrates. Translators retain the name Elumas to preserve the historical identity of this opponent, noting its meaning helps readers understand the nature of the conflict in Acts 13.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Elumas appears just once in Scripture, attached to a man named Bar-Jesus who stood against Paul and Barnabas on Cyprus. The text tells us his name means "wise man" or "sorcerer," which sets up a clear contrast between human trickery and divine power. In that moment, the proconsul was being pulled away from the truth by someone whose wisdom was rooted in deception rather than God.
This story reminds us that not every voice claiming insight is trustworthy. We live in a world full of competing claims about who we are and what is true. When faced with confusion or opposition, we can look to the example of Paul, who did not argue with clever words but relied on the authority given by Christ.
It is comforting to know that spiritual truth does not need to compete with worldly cunning. The gospel stands firm against any force that tries to turn us away from faith. We are invited to rest in the certainty that God’s power is greater than any scheme designed to hide it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Elymas1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἐλύμας1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 13:8
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
This verse identifies Elumas as the sorcerer who actively tried to prevent the proconsul from believing, showing the word refers to a specific opponent of the gospel.