Why ‘sorcery’ was the fastest-growing search term on Bible Gateway in 2021

Religion News ^ | 12/2/21 | Emily McFarlan Miller

[Roman_War_Criminal]

The Greek word ‘pharmakeia’ has appeared in debates over COVID-19 prevention measures, particularly opposition by some charismatic and evangelical Christians to vaccines against the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

The topics people search for each year on Bible Gateway are always interesting, according to Jonathan Petersen, content manager of the website.

But this year’s may be the “most intriguing,” Petersen wrote on the site.

Searches for the words “sorcery” and “sorceries” saw the biggest spike, increasing 193% over the last year on Bible Gateway, which allows users to read and search the text of multiple translations of the Bible.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

[Disambiguator]

Speaking of translations, are you familiar with the Cepher?

https://www.cepher.net/. Read some of the “about” information.

Random tie-in (watch what happens at about 0:25):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4vSA9OT0JCU

Remember that Geddy Lee (Gary Weinrib) is of Jewish descent.

[Romulus]

“Pharmakeia” doesn’t mean therapeutic drugs. It means contraceptives and abortifacients.

[Terry L Smith]

You might not know this, when you are praying for someone else “to have their ways changed”, without their permission, in some circles, that is sorcery.Yes, you are asking God, yet your intention is for that person, by supernatural means, (is not God supernatural?), to be supernaturally forced, to effect a change in their ways.

[ifinnegan]

It’s use of mind manifesting drugs.

Pot, hallucinogens etc...

[metmom]

And you know this how?

[Roman_War_Criminal]

This is God’s Universe.

Whether you acknowledge Him or not.

As a child of The Living God, I’m commanded to pray for others and enemies.

I imagine your definition doesn’t fit His.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

Wrong!

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5331: φαρμακεία

φαρμακεία (WH κια, so T (except in Galatians 5:20; cf. the Proleg., p. 88); see Iota), φαρμακείας, ἡ (φαρμακεύω);
a. the use or the administering of drugs (Xenophon, mem. 4, 2, 17).

b. poisoning (Plato, Polybius, others): Revelation 9:21 (here WH text Tr marginal reading φαρμακῶν; many interpretations refer the passage to the next entry).

c. sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it: Galatians 5:20 (where see Lightfoot) (Wis. 12:4 Wis. 18:13; for כְּשָׁפִים, Isaiah 47:9; for לָטִים, Exodus 7:22; Exodus 8:18; for לְהָטִים, Exodus 7:11); tropically, of the deceptions and seductions of idolatry, Revelation 18:23.

STRONGS NT 5331: φάρμακον [φάρμακον, φαρμάκου, τό, from Homer down, a drug; an enchantment: Tr marginal reading WH text in Revelation 9:21 (R. V. sorceries), for φαρμακεία, which see (in b.).]

5331 pharmakeía (from pharmakeuō, “administer drugs”) – properly, drug-related sorcery, like the practice of magical-arts, etc. (A. T. Robertson).

pharmakeia: the use of medicine, drugs or spells
Original Word: φαρμακεία, ας, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: pharmakeia
Phonetic Spelling: (far-mak-i’-ah)
Definition: the use of medicine, drugs or spells
Usage: magic, sorcery, enchantment.

Galatians 5:20 N-NFS
GRK: εἰδωλολατρία φαρμακεία ἔχθραι ἔρις
NAS: idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife,
KJV: Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,
INT: idolatry sorcery enmities strife
Revelation 18:23 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν τῇ φαρμακείᾳ σου ἐπλανήθησαν
NAS: were deceived by your sorcery.
KJV: by thy sorceries were all
INT: by the sorcery of you were misled

https://biblehub.com/greek/5331.htm

[SaveFerris]

👍

[bramps]

sorceries” saw the biggest spike, increasing 193% over the last year on Bible Gateway,

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

So last year it could have been looked up once and this three times?

[Romulus]

From the Oxford Greek Lexikon (L&S)

φαρμα^κ-εία_ , ἡ,
A.use of drugs, esp. of purgatives, Hp.Aph.1.24, 2.36 (both pl.), PCair.Zen.18.5 (iii B. C.), Gal.15.447, etc.; αἱ ἄνω φ., i. e. emetics, Arist.Pr.962a3; of abortifacients, Sor.1.59: generally, the use of any kind of drugs, potions, or spells, Pl.Lg.933b: pl., Id.Prt. 354a, Ti.89b, Men.535.9.

Note that in both OT and NT, “pharmakeia” is mentioned almost always in connection with childlessness and/or corruption of marriage. Contraception is forbidden in the Bible. Deal with it.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

The definition goes well beyond your first suggestion.

Nice strawman however! 👍

[Romulus]

So the bible is against milk of magnesia. Because this is somehow connected to the black arts and poisoning, which is why Jerome translated it as “veneficia”. Got it.

Contraception is forbidden in the bible. Deal with it.

[reasonisfaith]

No, you’re wrong.

Sorcery can only be done apart from God.

[backwoods-engineer]

Yeah. Geddy’s mother/grandmother (which I don’t recall) were in German extermination camps, but survived.

[metmom]

You have not yet proved your point yet.

The Greek is not that specific that it can support your claim that the use of drugs prohibited is only for those two purposes.

By your reasoning, any drugs are OK and drug abuse would not exist because there’s no Scriptural prohibition against what we call illicit drugs.

[metmom]

YOU are the one making a big deal about it as if we don’t consider that use of drugs to be wrong, or you don’t think there’s anything wrong with any other use or abuse of drugs.

[patriot torch]

Jesus is the only way to the Father.

Praying to (or through) any other is sorcery.

There is One Advocate, One Mediator.

There is no “co-redemptress” and praying to statues is idol worshipping.

....for those who may be so inclined to follow a religion based in sorcery....

Choose this day Who to serve.

See you in the clouds Brother. It won’t be long.

[crusty old prospector]

That’s what I was thinking.

[boatbums]

You might not know this, when you are praying for someone else “to have their ways changed”, without their permission, in some circles, that is sorcery.Yes, you are asking God, yet your intention is for that person, by supernatural means, (is not God supernatural?), to be supernaturally forced, to effect a change in their ways.

I wouldn't say we pray that God forces someone to live righteously or to change their sinful ways. Rather, we are encouraged to pray that hearts and minds are brought into harmony with the will of God. But it is God who opens hardened hearts and blinded minds to see the truth. I've seen how God is faithful and answers such prayers. He gives us a part in another person's salvation and walk of faith.

1 Timothy 2:1-3
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

Colossians 1:9-12
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.