### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term φάρμακος (G5333), transliterated as *phármakos*, derives from the root φάρμακον (*pharmakon*), which originally referred to a drug, medicine, or potion. This root word carried a dual potential, signifying something that could heal or poison. Consequently, φάρμακος evolved to describe one who prepares or administers such substances, particularly in a manipulative or illicit manner. Its primary biblical meaning, as defined, is "sorcerer" or "magician," directly linking it to φαρμακεύς (G5332), which also denotes an enchanter or sorcerer. The term thus encapsulates the idea of one who uses drugs, charms, or spells for magical purposes, often with an underlying intent to deceive, manipulate, or harm, and always in opposition to divine order.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term φάρμακος (G5333) appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation:
* **[[Revelation 21:8]]**: "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
In this solemn passage, φάρμακος is listed among a category of individuals whose unrepentant lifestyle choices lead to exclusion from the New Jerusalem and consignment to the lake of fire. The inclusion of "sorcerers" alongside sins like murder, idolatry, and lying underscores the severe theological condemnation of such practices. This context highlights that sorcery is not merely a benign superstition but a profound spiritual transgression that severs one's relationship with God. The juxtaposition with "idolaters" suggests a common thread of seeking power or guidance from sources other than the one true God.
While φάρμακος itself is rare, the related noun φαρμακεία (*pharmakeia*, `{{G5331}}`), meaning "sorcery" or "witchcraft," appears in other significant passages, reinforcing the biblical stance against these practices. For instance, φαρμακεία is listed as a "work of the flesh" in [[Galatians 5:20]] and is associated with the deceptive practices of Babylon in [[Revelation 18:23]]. This broader semantic field confirms that the New Testament consistently condemns the use of magical arts.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding φάρμακος (G5333) includes several closely related Greek terms and broader biblical concepts:
* **φαρμακεύς (G5332)**: This noun is virtually synonymous, also meaning "sorcerer" or "magician." The Strong's definition explicitly links φάρμακος to φαρμακεύς, indicating their interchangeable use in denoting one who practices magic.
* **φαρμακεία (G5331)**: This is the abstract noun denoting the *practice* of sorcery, witchcraft, or magical arts. It refers to the act itself, often involving the use of drugs, spells, or enchantments. Its presence in lists of condemned behaviors (e.g., [[Galatians 5:20]], [[Revelation 9:21]]) reinforces the gravity of the sin.
* **Old Testament Parallels**: The Old Testament frequently condemns various forms of divination, magic, and sorcery. Hebrew terms like כָּשַׁף (*kashaph*, `{{H3784}}`), meaning "to practice witchcraft," קֶסֶם (*qesem*, `{{H7081}}`), referring to "divination," and מְעוֹנֵן (*me'onen*, `{{H6049}}`), a "soothsayer," demonstrate a consistent divine prohibition against seeking knowledge or power outside of God's revealed will (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 18:10-12]], [[1 Samuel 15:23]]). This continuity underscores the timeless nature of God's opposition to these practices.
* **Broader Concepts**: Sorcery is intimately connected with idolatry, spiritual rebellion, and deception. It represents an attempt to bypass God's sovereignty, often by appealing to demonic forces or manipulating spiritual realities for selfish ends. It stands in stark contrast to reliance on God through faith and prayer.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of φάρμακος and its related terms is profound, highlighting a fundamental conflict between divine authority and human rebellion:
* **Rebellion Against Divine Sovereignty**: Sorcery is fundamentally an act of rebellion against God. It seeks to gain power, knowledge, or control through illicit means, bypassing God's ordained channels and attempting to manipulate spiritual forces independently of His will. This is a direct challenge to God's ultimate authority and sovereignty.
* **Idolatry and Demonic Influence**: Historically, sorcery has often been intertwined with the worship of false gods, spirits, or demons. It involves seeking power or guidance from non-divine sources, thus constituting a form of spiritual adultery. The use of drugs or potions in ancient magic often served as a means to induce altered states for communication with spirits, further linking it to demonic influence.
* **Deception and Harm**: The root meaning of φάρμακον as a drug that can poison or deceive is crucial. Sorcery, by its nature, involves deception, illusion, and manipulation. It can lead individuals away from truth and into spiritual bondage, causing profound spiritual and often physical harm.
* **Exclusion from God's Presence**: The severe condemnation in [[Revelation 21:8]] places sorcerers among those who will face eternal judgment, emphasizing that this sin is not trivial. It is a serious affront to God's holiness and truth, leading to an ultimate separation from His presence and the blessings of the New Creation. This underscores the necessity of repentance and faith in Christ for forgiveness and redemption from such practices.
* **Contrast with the Holy Spirit**: The practices of φάρμακος stand in stark opposition to the work of the Holy Spirit. While God grants spiritual gifts for edification and His glory, sorcery seeks power through illicit, often demonic, means for selfish or destructive purposes.
### Summary
The Greek term φάρμακος (G5333) precisely identifies a "sorcerer" or "magician," one who employs drugs or potions for magical, often deceptive and harmful, purposes. Its singular, yet highly significant, occurrence in [[Revelation 21:8]] places sorcery among the gravest sins, leading to eternal exclusion from God's presence in the lake of fire. This strong condemnation is reinforced by the broader biblical witness against φαρμακεία (`{{G5331}}`), or "sorcery" as a practice, which is explicitly listed as a "work of the flesh" in [[Galatians 5:20]]. Theologically, φάρμακος represents a profound act of rebellion against God's sovereignty, often linked to idolatry and demonic influence, and characterized by deception and spiritual harm. It underscores the Bible's consistent and severe prohibition against all forms of occult practice, emphasizing the necessity of exclusive reliance on the true God and His revealed will.
TRV