Deisidaimōnía (pronounced day-see-die-MOH-nee-ah, δεισιδαιμονία) is a Greek feminine noun found under Strong’s Concordance number G1175. The term is derived from the adjective δεισιδαίμων (deisidaímōn), which combines δειδώ (deidō, meaning “to fear”) and δαίμων (daímōn, meaning “demon” or “divine being”).

Deisidaimōnía refers to “superstition” or “a state of being overly religious or pious to the point of irrationality.” It denotes an excessive or inappropriate fear of the divine, leading to behaviors driven more by superstition than by genuine religious conviction.

Scripture References

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).'” Here, Deisidaimōnía is implied in the broader context of Paul addressing the Athenians’ religious practices, which may include superstitious elements.
2. Acts 17:23: “For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” While Deisidaimōnía is not used directly here, Paul addresses the Athenians’ superstitious practices, providing context for its meaning.

Detailed Description from Lexicons

In BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich), Deisidaimōnía is defined as “superstition” or “fear of the gods.” BDAG emphasizes that this term captures a sense of excessive religiosity marked by irrational fears and practices that go beyond rational piety. It is often used to describe a state of being overly concerned with religious rites and omens, leading to superstitious behavior.

Thayer’s Lexicon describes Deisidaimōnía as “superstition” or “fearfulness.” It highlights the term’s connotation of an excessive and often irrational reverence for deities, which can lead to superstitious practices and beliefs. Thayer’s focuses on how this fearfulness can distort genuine religious devotion into superstition.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary supports the notion of Deisidaimōnía as related to superstition, noting that it is characterized by an exaggerated or misplaced fear of divine entities or supernatural forces. Vine’s clarifies that while the term can imply a form of piety, it often points to an irrational fear that distorts genuine religious understanding.

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones) gives a broader view, emphasizing that Deisidaimōnía can refer to both superstition and the general fearfulness associated with it. The lexicon notes that this fear often leads to irrational religious practices and beliefs.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

In classical Greek literature, Deisidaimōnía appears in contexts that highlight both its positive and negative connotations.

1. Plato’s “The Republic”: Plato uses Deisidaimōnía to describe individuals who exhibit an irrational fear of the gods, leading them to engage in excessive and often irrational religious practices. This usage reflects the term’s association with superstition.
2. Aristotle’s “Rhetoric”: Aristotle mentions Deisidaimōnía when discussing the emotional state of individuals who are excessively afraid of divine retribution. This usage underscores how superstition can influence human behavior and decision-making.
3. Plutarch’s “Moralia”: In his discussions on ethics and philosophy, Plutarch references Deisidaimōnía to describe behaviors driven by an overabundance of religious fear. This illustrates how superstition can distort genuine religious and moral understanding.

Summary

Deisidaimōnía (pronounced day-see-die-MOH-nee-ah, δεισιδαιμονία) is a Greek noun meaning “superstition” or “excessive religious fear.” It is derived from the adjective δεισιδαίμων (deisidaímōn), combining δειδώ (deidō, “to fear”) and δαίμων (daímōn, “divine being” or “demon”). The term describes a state of being overly concerned with religious rituals or omens to the point of irrationality, reflecting both genuine piety and superstition.

In the New Testament, particularly in Acts 17:22-23, the context of Paul’s address to the Athenians implies the concept of Deisidaimōnía, highlighting their potential superstitions. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and LSJ all note the dual nature of the term, which can signify either excessive religiosity or irrational superstition.

Classical Greek literature often uses Deisidaimōnía to describe individuals who engage in excessive and irrational religious practices. This usage underscores the term’s connection to both genuine piety and superstition. The term reflects the complexity of religious devotion and the fine line between reverence and irrational fear.