Lexical Summary Iannés: Jannes Original Word: Ἰαννῆς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jannes. Of Egyptian origin; Jannes, an Egyptian -- Jannes. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Jannes, an Eg. sorcerer NASB Translation Jannes (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2389: ἸάννηςἸάννης, ὁ, 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.” 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. 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). Pastoral and Discipleship Applications • Discernment: Church leaders must expose doctrines that merely “appear” powerful but contradict the apostolic faith. 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 Iannē̂sLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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