Spiritual Corruption: φάρμακος (Strong’s G5333: pharmakos) Reveals Satan’s Deceptions

Strong’s G5333: A noun meaning “sorcerer, poisoner, magician,” derived from φάρμακον (drug, poison). Used in Revelation to describe those excluded from New Jerusalem. Represents practitioners of magical arts and those who use drugs for supernatural purposes. Emphasizes spiritual corruption through occult practices.

U- Unveiling the Word

The word φάρμακος represents those who practice sorcery through the use of drugs and magical arts. In its original context, it referred to one who used drugs or potions for magical purposes, whether for healing or harm. In Revelation, it appears among those excluded from the New Jerusalem, emphasizing the serious spiritual implications of engaging with occult practices. The early church understood φάρμακος as representing those who corrupt spiritual truth through supernatural deception. Today, this word continues to warn against any practice that combines chemical and spiritual manipulation to bypass God’s authority.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: φάρμακος, pharmakos, far’-mak-os
• Pronunciation Guide: far (as in “far”) + mak (as in “mock”) + os (as in “moss”)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• φάρμακον (pharmakon): root meaning “drug” or “poison”
• -ος (-os): nominal suffix
  Combined to mean “one who uses drugs/poisons”

D – Defining Meanings

• Sorcerer
• Poisoner
• Magician
• Drug user in magical practices

For compound words:
This is not a compound word but a primary noun

Translation Options:

• “Sorcerer” – emphasizes magical aspect
• “Poisoner” – stresses harmful intent
• “Occult practitioner” – broader modern equivalent

E – Exploring Similar Words

• γόης (goēs, go’-ace) – deceiver See G1114
• μάγος (magos, mag’-os) – magician See G3097
• φαρμακεύς (pharmakeus, far-mak-yoos’) – sorcerer See G5332

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a noun:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second declension

Examples:

• Nominative: φάρμακος
• Genitive: φαρμάκου
• Dative: φαρμάκῳ
• Accusative: φάρμακον

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The lexicons provide rich understanding of φάρμακος. BDAG emphasizes its connection to both drug use and magical practices. Thayer’s notes its progression from drug dealer to sorcerer. LSJ documents its classical usage in contexts of both healing and harm. Vine’s particularly emphasizes its appearance in Revelation’s list of those excluded from the New Jerusalem. Strong’s connects it to the practice of magic through drugs. Moulton and Milligan provide evidence of its use in magical papyri describing ritual practices involving substances.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Revelation 22:15: “But outside are dogs and sorcerers [φάρμακος] and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word φάρμακος powerfully illustrates the spiritual danger of combining drug use with occult practices. While such practitioners promise supernatural power or insight, they actually lead people away from God’s truth. The good news is that King Jesus offers genuine spiritual freedom and transformation without the need for chemical or magical manipulation. His power breaks all bonds of occult practice and delivers those enslaved by supernatural deception.

D – Did You Know?

1. Ancient Greek cities sometimes used φάρμακος to describe scapegoats in purification rituals.
2. The term appears in ancient curse tablets and magical recipes.
3. Early church fathers used this word when warning against pagan healing practices.

Strong’s G5333: A noun meaning “sorcerer, poisoner, magician,” derived from φάρμακον (drug, poison). Used in Revelation to describe those excluded from New Jerusalem. Represents practitioners of magical arts and those who use drugs for supernatural purposes. Emphasizes spiritual corruption through occult practices.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: sorcery, magic, drugs, occult, spiritual-deception, New-Jerusalem, exclusion, supernatural-practices, spiritual-corruption, divine-judgment, deliverance, spiritual-freedom, false-power, deception, salvation​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​