Brief Overview of Δεισιδαίμων (G1174: Deisidaímōn)

Deisidaímōn (pronounced day-see-DYE-mohn, δεισιδαίμων) is a Greek adjective found under Strong’s Concordance number G1174. The word Deisidaímōn is derived from two root words: δειδώ (deidō), which means “to fear” or “to dread,” and δαίμων (daímōn), which originally referred to a divine being or spirit, and later took on the connotation of a “demon” or “evil spirit.” Deisidaímōn thus literally means “fearful of spirits” or “reverent toward the gods.”

Deisidaímōn has a dual connotation depending on the context. It can mean “religious” or “pious,” indicating a person who has a deep reverence for the divine. However, it can also mean “superstitious,” particularly when the reverence for the divine is excessive or misplaced, leading to fear of spirits or irrational beliefs.

Scripture References

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1. Acts 17:22: “So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious (δεισιδαιμονεστέρους, deisidaimonestrous).'” In this verse, Deisidaímōn is used by Paul in a context that can be interpreted as either “very religious” or “superstitious,” depending on the perspective. Paul is acknowledging the Athenians’ devotion to the divine, though it may also carry a subtle critique of their superstitions.

Detailed Description from Lexicons

In BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich), Deisidaímōn is defined with a dual meaning: “pious” or “religious” on the one hand, and “superstitious” on the other. BDAG notes that the term is context-dependent and that Paul’s use of it in Acts 17:22 could be seen as diplomatically neutral or slightly pejorative, depending on the interpretation of his address to the Athenians. The lexicon emphasizes the word’s flexibility in meaning, capturing both genuine reverence and misplaced fear.

Thayer’s Lexicon describes Deisidaímōn as “reverencing the gods, religious,” with an emphasis on the reverence aspect. However, Thayer’s also highlights the term’s potential to convey “superstitious,” particularly when reverence is taken to an extreme or when it involves fear of spirits or gods in a way that leads to irrational behavior. Thayer’s points out that the term’s usage in Acts 17:22 is deliberately ambiguous, allowing Paul to connect with his audience without outright condemning their beliefs.

The LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones) lexicon provides a broader context for Deisidaímōn, noting its use in classical Greek literature to describe someone who is very religious or devout. LSJ also notes that the term could be used pejoratively to describe someone who is excessively or irrationally superstitious. The dual connotation of Deisidaímōn reflects the Greek understanding of religion, where piety could easily tip into superstition.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance lists Deisidaímōn as “religious” or “superstitious,” highlighting its usage in Acts 17:22. The concordance notes the nuanced meaning of the word, which can convey both respect for the divine and an irrational fear of spirits or gods, depending on the context. The term is thus versatile, capturing the fine line between genuine piety and superstition.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

Deisidaímōn appears in various classical Greek texts, often used to describe individuals who are deeply religious, but sometimes with a connotation of excessive or misplaced fear.

1. Plato in “The Republic” uses Deisidaímōn to describe people who are overly concerned with rituals and omens, highlighting the potential for genuine religious devotion to devolve into superstition.
2. Herodotus in “The Histories” describes certain groups as Deisidaímōn, noting their fear of offending the gods and their obsession with religious rituals, which sometimes led to irrational decisions or actions based on superstitious beliefs.
3. Xenophon in “Anabasis” uses Deisidaímōn to describe the religious practices of the soldiers, noting that their reverence for the gods was both a source of strength and, at times, a source of fear that could influence their behavior on the battlefield.

Summary

Deisidaímōn (pronounced day-see-DYE-mohn, δεισιδαίμων) is a Greek adjective meaning “religious,” “pious,” or “superstitious.” Derived from the words δειδώ (deidō), meaning “to fear,” and δαίμων (daímōn), meaning “divine being” or “spirit,” the term captures the dual nature of reverence toward the divine. In the New Testament, Deisidaímōn is used in Acts 17:22, where Paul addresses the Athenians, acknowledging their religiosity, which can be interpreted as either genuine piety or excessive superstition. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and LSJ highlight the nuanced meaning of Deisidaímōn, reflecting both respect for the divine and the potential for irrational fear. In classical Greek literature, Deisidaímōn is used to describe individuals or groups who are deeply religious, sometimes to the point of superstition. The word Deisidaímōn underscores the complexity of religious devotion, where the line between piety and superstition can be thin, revealing the multifaceted nature of human responses to the divine.