Word study · Greek
deisidaimōn
religious, superstitious
Say it: dice-ee-DY-mohn (approximate)
δεισιδαίμων
What it means
From "fear" and "deity." It can be positive (reverent, religious) or negative (superstitious). Paul says to the Athenians, "I perceive that you are very religious (deisidaimonesteroi)" (17:22). Whether he meant it as praise or with a slight edge is debated. It appears in the New Testament only here.
Open question Debated
Whether Paul's word for the Athenians in 17:22 is praise ("very religious") or a mild criticism ("very superstitious") is debated.
Range of meaning
- ReligiousDevout.
- SuperstitiousExcessively fearful of the gods.
In Acts
- Chapter 17
"You are very religious" (17:22).
Every verse (1)
Verses where G1174 is tagged in the Hebrew text: STEPBible Data (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. About our sources