2389. Iannés
Lexical Summary
Iannés: Jannes

Original Word: Ἰαννῆς
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Iannés
Pronunciation: ee-an-NAYS
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-an-nace')
KJV: Jannes
NASB: Jannes
Word Origin: [of Egyptian origin]

1. Jannes, an Egyptian

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Jannes.

Of Egyptian origin; Jannes, an Egyptian -- Jannes.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
Jannes, an Eg. sorcerer
NASB Translation
Jannes (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2389: Ἰάννης

Ἰάννης, , see Ἰαμβρῆς.

Topical Lexicon
Name and Identification

Jannes is named once in the New Testament (2 Timothy 3:8). Together with Jambres he is remembered as one of “Pharaoh’s magicians” who resisted Moses in Egypt. Scripture records only the fact of their opposition; their specific deeds are preserved in Exodus but without personal names. Jewish and early Christian tradition consistently identify Jannes with the wonder-workers whose occult arts attempted to duplicate the signs God performed through Moses.

Biblical Occurrence

2 Timothy 3:8: “Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men corrupted in mind, rejected as regards the faith.”

Paul cites Jannes to illustrate the character of false teachers in the “last days” (2 Timothy 3:1). As the magicians’ counterfeit power was exposed before Pharaoh, so modern deceivers will be unmasked by the inherent power of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:9).

Background in the Exodus Narrative

Exodus 7:11 records that “Pharaoh called in the wise men and sorcerers, and the magicians of Egypt, who did the same things by their secret arts.”
Exodus 7:22; 8:7 show the magicians imitating the first plagues.
Exodus 8:18 reveals their limitation: “The magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, but they could not.”

Although anonymous in Exodus, the traditions Paul draws upon affirm that Jannes (with Jambres) was chief among these occultists. Their eventual confession—“This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19)—illustrates the futility of resisting divine authority.

Jewish and Extrabiblical Tradition

• Targum Pseudo-Jonathan on Exodus 7:11 names Jannes and Jambres.
• The lost “Book of Jannes and Jambres,” cited by Origen and others, apparently recounted their rivalry with Moses and ultimate downfall.
• Rabbinic texts often portray them as sons of Balaam who left Egypt with Israel and later seduced the people into idolatry.

While not canonical, these sources confirm a well-known backdrop that Paul could invoke without explanation to Timothy, his Jewish-trained protégé.

Theological Themes

1. Counterfeit Power vs. True Power: Jannes embodies the imitation of spiritual authority apart from submission to God (compare Acts 8:9-24; Revelation 13:13-14).
2. Hardness of Heart: His persistence mirrors Pharaoh’s obstinacy, warning that repeated rebellion against clear revelation leads to judicial blindness (Romans 1:21-24).
3. Eschatological Pattern: Paul treats the Exodus conflict as a prototype for end-time deception; the same God who vindicated Moses will vindicate the gospel (2 Timothy 3:9; Revelation 16:13-14).

Pastoral and Discipleship Applications

• Discernment: Church leaders must expose doctrines that merely “appear” powerful but contradict the apostolic faith.
• Confidence: As Moses stood undaunted before sorcerers, believers can minister boldly, assured that “the Word of God is not chained” (2 Timothy 2:9).
• Sanctification: Jannes warns against any flirtation with occultism, syncretism or manipulative religion; genuine ministry depends on the Spirit, not spectacle.

Historical Reception in the Church

Patristic writers such as Chrysostom and Ambrosiaster cited Jannes to emphasize the impotence of magic against Christ. Medieval commentators used the figure to discuss spiritual warfare. Reformation expositors highlighted Paul’s typology, urging vigilance in teaching sound doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Contemporary scholarship affirms that Paul references a well-attested tradition, reinforcing Scripture’s own polemic against deception while maintaining historical continuity with Moses.

Ministry Significance Today

Jannes serves as a perennial reminder that opposition to God often masquerades as spirituality. Faithful servants, entrusted with Scripture, must refute error, exemplify truth, and rely upon the same sovereign power that humbled Egypt and vindicated the gospel in Paul’s day.

Forms and Transliterations
Ιαννης Ἰαννῆς Ἰάννης Iannes Iannês Iannēs Iannē̂s
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Timothy 3:8 N-NMS
GRK: τρόπον δὲ Ἰαννῆς καὶ Ἰαμβρῆς
NAS: Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed
KJV: Now as Jannes and Jambres
INT: way moreover Jannes and Jambres

Strong's Greek 2389
1 Occurrence


Ἰαννῆς — 1 Occ.

2388
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