King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Complete Jewish Bible:
Once, when we were going to the place where the minyan gathered, we were met by a slave girl who had in her a snake-spirit that enabled her to predict the future. She earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes.
Berean Standard Bible:
One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling.
American Standard Version:
And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G1161} it came to pass{G1096}, as we{G2257} went{G4198} to{G1519} prayer{G4335}, a certain{G5100} damsel{G3814} possessed{G2192} with a spirit{G4151} of divination{G4436} met{G528} us{G2254}, which{G3748} brought{G3930} her{G846} masters{G2962} much{G4183} gain{G2039} by soothsaying{G3132}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 19:31
- Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I [am] the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 18:9
- ¶ When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
Deuteronomy 18:11
- Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Isaiah 8:19
- And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
1 Chronicles 10:13
- So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, [even] against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking [counsel] of [one that had] a familiar spirit, to enquire [of it];
1 Samuel 28:7
- ¶ Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, [there is] a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
Galatians 5:20
- Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Acts 16:16
Acts 16:16 is a verse set within the context of the Apostle Paul's second missionary journey, around AD 50. The verse introduces a narrative that exemplifies the early Christian encounters with the spiritual forces of the time. The "certain damsel" mentioned is a young woman who has the ability to predict the future, a practice known as "soothsaying" or "fortune-telling." This ability is attributed to her being "possessed with a spirit of divination," indicating that her foresight was not seen as a natural talent but as a result of demonic influence.
The historical context of the time suggests that fortune-telling was a widely recognized and perhaps accepted practice, one that could be quite lucrative for those who possessed such abilities, or in this case, for those who owned and exploited such individuals. The damsel's "masters" are benefiting financially from her supernatural gift, which highlights the economic aspects of such spiritual activities and the commodification of the supernatural in the ancient world.
The themes present in this verse include the existence and recognition of supernatural forces, both divine and demonic, within the early Christian worldview. It also touches on the conflict between Christian missionaries and the prevailing spiritual practices of the day, setting the stage for a confrontation between the power of the Gospel as proclaimed by Paul and the spiritual darkness represented by the damsel's affliction. This confrontation is not just spiritual but also social and economic, challenging the status quo and the exploitation of individuals for financial gain. The verse serves as an introduction to a larger narrative that demonstrates the power of Christ over such spirits and the transformative impact of the Christian message on individuals and communities.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G1096
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γίνομαι
Transliteration: gínomai
Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought. - Strong's Number: G2257
There are 365 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμῶν
Transliteration: hēmōn
Pronunciation: hay-mone'
Description: genitive case plural of ἐγώ; of (or from) us:--our (company), us, we. - Strong's Number: G4198
There are 147 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πορεύομαι
Transliteration: poreúomai
Pronunciation: por-yoo'-om-ahee
Description: middle voice from a derivative of the same as πεῖρα; to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.); --depart, go (away, forth, one's way, up), (make a, take a) journey, walk. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G4335
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: προσευχή
Transliteration: proseuchḗ
Pronunciation: pros-yoo-khay'
Description: from προσεύχομαι; prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel):--X pray earnestly, prayer. - Strong's Number: G5100
There are 419 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τὶς
Transliteration: tìs
Pronunciation: tis
Description: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever). - Strong's Number: G3814
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: παιδίσκη
Transliteration: paidískē
Pronunciation: pahee-dis'-kay
Description: feminine diminutive of παῖς; a girl, i.e. (specially), a female slave or servant:--bondmaid(-woman), damsel, maid(-en). - Strong's Number: G2192
There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔχω
Transliteration: échō
Pronunciation: skheh'-o
Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use. - Strong's Number: G4151
There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πνεῦμα
Transliteration: pneûma
Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή. - Strong's Number: G4436
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Πύθων
Transliteration: Pýthōn
Pronunciation: poo'-thone
Description: from (the name of the region where Delphi, the seat of the famous oracle, was located); a Python, i.e. (by analogy, with the supposed diviner there) inspiration (soothsaying):-- divination. - Strong's Number: G528
There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπαντάω
Transliteration: apantáō
Pronunciation: ap-an-tah'-o
Description: from ἀπό and a derivative of ἀντί; to meet away, i.e. encounter:--meet. - Strong's Number: G2254
There are 167 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμῖν
Transliteration: hēmîn
Pronunciation: hay-meen'
Description: dative case plural of ἐγώ; to (or for, with, by) us:--our, (for) us, we. - Strong's Number: G3748
There are 148 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅστις
Transliteration: hóstis
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: from ὅς and τὶς; which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same:--X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare ὅτι. - Strong's Number: G3930
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: παρέχω
Transliteration: paréchō
Pronunciation: par-ekh'-o
Description: from παρά and ἔχω; to hold near, i.e. present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion:--bring, do, give, keep, minister, offer, shew, + trouble. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G2962
There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κύριος
Transliteration: kýrios
Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir. - Strong's Number: G4183
There are 331 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πολύς
Transliteration: polýs
Pronunciation: pol-oos'
Description: including the forms from the alternate ; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly. Compare πλεῖστος, πλείων. - Strong's Number: G2039
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐργασία
Transliteration: ergasía
Pronunciation: er-gas-ee'-ah
Description: from ἐργάτης; occupation; by implication, profit, pains:--craft, diligence, gain, work. - Strong's Number: G3132
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μαντεύομαι
Transliteration: manteúomai
Pronunciation: mant-yoo'-om-ahee
Description: from a derivative of μαίνομαι (meaning a prophet, as supposed to rave through inspiration); to divine, i.e. utter spells (under pretense of foretelling:--by soothsaying.