Original Word: δεισιδαιμονέστερος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: deisidaimonesteros
Pronunciation: day-see-die-moh-NES-ter-os
Phonetic Spelling: (dice-ee-dahee-mon-es'-ter-os)
Definition: Very religious, superstitious
Meaning: respectful of what is divine; religious, perhaps, rather than superstitious (the usual meaning).

devout, religious, superstitious.

The compound of a derivative of the base of deilos and daimon; more religious than others -- too superstitious.

see GREEK deilos

see GREEK daimon

1174 deisidaimonésteros (from deidō, "to dread" and daimōn, "a deity") – properly, religious (superstitious) fear, driven by a confused concept of God – producing "sincere" but very misdirected religion. Indeed, this is the mark of heathenism.

Word Origin
cptv. of deisidaimón (fearing the gods); from deidó (to fear) and daimón
Definition
very fearful of gods, religious, superstitious.

STRONGS NT 1174: δεισιδαίμων

δεισιδαίμων, δεισιδαιμον, genitive δεισιδαιμονος (δείδω to fear, and δαίμων deity), fearing the deity or deities, like the Latinreligiosus; used either

1. in a good sense, reverencing god or the gods, pious, religious: Xenophon, Cyril 3, 3, 58; Ages. 11, 8; Aristotle, pol. 5, 11 (p. 1315a, 1); or

2. in a bad sense, superstitious: Theophrastus, char. 16 (22); Diodorus 1, 62; 4, 51; Plutarch, de adul. c. 16; de superstit. c. 10f Paul in the opening of his address to the Athenians, Acts 17:22, calls them, with kindly ambiguity, κατά πάντα δεισιδαιμονεστέρους (namely, than the rest of the Greeks (Winer's Grammar, 244 (229)), cf. Meyer at the passage), as being devout without the knowledge of the true God; cf. Bengel at the passage.

Word Origin: This word is a comparative form derived from the Greek word δεισιδαίμων (deisidaimon), which itself is a compound of δεισις (deisis, meaning "fear" or "reverence") and δαίμων (daimon, meaning "deity" or "spirit").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Hebrew equivalent for δεισιδαιμονέστερος in the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, as this concept is more specific to the Greek cultural and religious context. However, related concepts of fear and reverence towards God can be found in Hebrew words such as יִרְאָה (yirah, Strong's Hebrew 3374), meaning "fear" or "reverence," often used in the context of the fear of the Lord.

Usage: The word δεισιδαιμονέστερος appears in the New Testament in Acts 17:22, where the Apostle Paul addresses the people of Athens.

Context: In Acts 17:22, the Apostle Paul uses the term δεισιδαιμονέστερος when he stands in the midst of the Areopagus and addresses the Athenians: "Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious." (BSB). Here, Paul acknowledges the Athenians' religiosity, noting their numerous idols and altars, including one to an "unknown god." The use of δεισιδαιμονέστερος is strategic, as it allows Paul to connect with his audience by recognizing their spiritual inclinations while also setting the stage to introduce them to the Christian God, whom they do not yet know.

The term carries a nuanced meaning, as it can imply both genuine religious devotion and a tendency towards superstition. In the context of ancient Athens, a city known for its philosophical pursuits and pantheon of gods, Paul's choice of words reflects both an acknowledgment of their spiritual awareness and a subtle critique of their idolatry. By using δεισιδαιμονέστερος, Paul opens a dialogue that respects their search for the divine while pointing them towards the truth of the Gospel.

δεισιδαιμονεστερους δεισιδαιμονεστέρους deisidaimonesterous deisidaimonestérousInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts