The Greek word Ártemis, represented by G735, is the name for Diana, a Grecian goddess. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. All of its occurrences are found in the book of Acts and relate to the worship of this deity in the city of Ephesus, where she was a central figure in the local culture and economy.
In the biblical narrative, G735 is at the center of a riot in Ephesus. A silversmith G695 named Demetrius, who made silver G693 shrines G3485 for Diana, recognized that the spread of the gospel threatened his craft G2039 Acts 19:24. He incited other craftsmen by warning that the temple G2411 of the great goddess G2299 Diana would be despised and her magnificence G3168 destroyed Acts 19:27. Enraged, the crowd began to cry out G2896, "Great G3173 is Diana of the Ephesians" Acts 19:28. This chant continued for about two hours Acts 19:34 until the townclerk appeased G2687 the people, affirming their city's role as a worshipper G3511 of Diana Acts 19:35.
Several related words provide context for the worship of Diana and the ensuing conflict:
- G2299 theá (goddess): This term is used repeatedly to describe Diana's perceived divine status by her followers. The Ephesians were devoted to the "great goddess Diana" Acts 19:27.
- G2039 ergasía (gain, craft): This word reveals the economic motivation behind the uproar. Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen derived significant gain from making idols of Diana Acts 19:24.
- G3485 naós (shrine, temple): The silversmiths created silver shrines for Diana, which were central to her worship and their business Acts 19:24. Believers are later identified as the temple of the living God, in stark contrast 2 Corinthians 6:16.
- G4576 sébomai (to revere, i.e. adore): This describes the action of the people toward the goddess. Demetrius claimed that all of Asia and the world worshipped her Acts 19:27.
The theological weight of G735 is seen in its role as a focal point for idolatry and its conflict with Christianity.
- Idolatry and Economics: The account demonstrates how the worship of Diana was deeply intertwined with the local economy. The opposition to the gospel was explicitly tied to the threat of financial loss for those whose craft G2039 depended on idolatry Acts 19:25.
- Civic Identity: The worship of Diana was a matter of civic pride and identity for Ephesus. The townclerk calms the crowd by reminding them of their city's official status as a "worshipper" G3511 of the goddess Acts 19:35.
- The Gospel's Power to Disrupt: The story shows the power of the gospel to challenge and expose established systems of false worship. Paul's ministry was so effective that it threatened to bring to nought G557 a trade built around Diana and see her magnificence G3168 destroyed G2507 Acts 19:27.
In summary, G735 is not a term with broad theological application but is instead a specific historical and cultural marker. Its use in Acts 19 provides a powerful case study of the clash between the early church and a deeply entrenched pagan religion. The account illustrates how the advancement of the gospel can disrupt not only spiritual beliefs but also the economic and social structures built upon them.
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