### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word `{{G2299}}` (thea) is the feminine form of `{{G2316}}` (theos), meaning "god." Consequently, its core meaning is "a female deity" or "goddess." This term is exclusively used in the New Testament to refer to pagan goddesses, never to the one true God. Its semantic range is narrow, precisely denoting a divine female figure worshipped within polytheistic religious systems, contrasting sharply with the singular, masculine concept of God in Judeo-Christian theology.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{G2299}}` appears in the New Testament primarily in the book of Acts, specifically within the narrative of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. The most prominent occurrences are found in [[Acts 19]], where it refers to Artemis (known as Diana in Latin), the patron goddess of Ephesus.
* In [[Acts 19:27]], Demetrius, a silversmith whose livelihood depends on the worship of Artemis, laments that Paul's preaching threatens not only his trade but also the reverence due to "the temple of the great goddess Diana" and her "magnificence." Here, thea explicitly identifies Artemis as a revered female deity.
* Similarly, in [[Acts 19:35]], the town clerk, attempting to quell the riot, acknowledges the widespread belief that "the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter." Again, thea is used to designate Artemis as the object of their worship.
The context of these occurrences is crucial: they describe the prevailing pagan religious landscape that the early Christian message confronted. The use of `{{G2299}}` by the Ephesians themselves, or by the narrator describing their beliefs, highlights the stark contrast between the monotheistic claims of Christianity and the deeply entrenched polytheistic practices of the Roman world. The term underscores the challenge faced by the apostles in proclaiming the singular supremacy of God amidst a pantheon of gods and goddesses.
### Related Words & Concepts
* `{{G2316}}` (theos): The masculine counterpart to `{{G2299}}`, meaning "God" or "god." The relationship between these two words is foundational, as thea is derived directly from theos. The New Testament consistently uses theos to refer to the one true God, while thea is reserved for pagan deities, emphasizing a theological distinction.
* `{{G1491}}` (eidōlon): Meaning "idol" or "image." The worship of thea figures like Artemis often involved physical idols or images, as mentioned in [[Acts 19:35]] concerning the "image which fell down from Jupiter." This word highlights the material objects associated with false worship.
* `{{G2317}}` (theotēs): Meaning "divinity" or "deity." This abstract noun refers to the quality or nature of being divine. While thea points to a specific female divine being, theotēs refers to the essence of divinity itself, often contrasted with human nature.
* `{{H430}}` (elohim): The Hebrew plural noun for "God" or "gods," which can sometimes refer to pagan deities in the Old Testament, conceptually similar to how thea refers to a specific type of pagan deity in the New Testament.
* **Polytheism:** The overarching religious system characterized by the belief in and worship of multiple gods and goddesses, which `{{G2299}}` directly represents.
* **Idolatry:** The act of worshipping idols or false gods, a practice inherently condemned by biblical monotheism, and one that the existence of thea figures directly exemplifies.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{G2299}}` is profound, primarily serving as a linguistic marker for the radical monotheism of biblical faith in opposition to pagan polytheism.
1. **Affirmation of Monotheism:** The very existence of a word for "goddess" in the New Testament, used exclusively for pagan figures, implicitly reinforces the singular nature of the true God. The biblical narrative consistently presents God as unique, unrivaled, and without a divine feminine counterpart.
2. **Rejection of Idolatry:** The term thea is intrinsically linked to idolatry. The New Testament's portrayal of the worship of Artemis as misguided and futile ([[Acts 19:26]]) underscores the spiritual emptiness of worshipping created beings or mythological figures rather than the Creator.
3. **Clash of Worldviews:** The presence of thea in the narrative of Acts highlights the direct confrontation between the nascent Christian movement and the dominant pagan religious systems of the Greco-Roman world. The apostles' proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and the sole object of worship directly challenged the established reverence for deities like Artemis, leading to significant cultural and social friction.
4. **Exclusivity of Divine Worship:** The use of `{{G2299}}` emphasizes the exclusive claim of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob upon human worship. There is no "goddess" in the biblical understanding of the divine that warrants worship, only the one true God.
### Summary
The Greek word `{{G2299}}` (thea) precisely designates a "female deity" or "goddess," serving as the feminine form of `{{G2316}}` (theos). Its primary biblical occurrences are found in [[Acts 19]], where it is used to refer to Artemis (Diana), the revered goddess of Ephesus, within the context of the riot incited by those whose livelihoods were tied to her worship. The infrequent and specific use of `{{G2299}}` in the New Testament is highly significant, underscoring the foundational monotheism of biblical faith. It stands in stark contrast to the polytheistic systems prevalent in the Greco-Roman world, highlighting the exclusive nature of worship directed towards the one true God and the theological rejection of idolatry inherent in the Christian message.
TRV