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ELYMAS

(Gk. Elýmas)

A Jewish sorcerer whom Paul encountered at Paphos on the island of Cyprus (Acts 13:6-12). Elymas opposed Paul’s efforts to teach the gospel to Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul of the island. For his opposition, Elymas was stricken with temporary blindness. The narrative presents Christianity in contrast to religious magic.

Elymas was probably attached to the proconsul’s entourage as a personal adviser who claimed to know divine will. Like many Romans, Sergius Paulus was interested in knowing any divine guidance for his affairs, and he retained Elymas for that purpose. Elymas undoubtedly perceived the efforts of Paul as a threat to his position with the proconsul.

Elymas is also known as Bar-Jesus (“son of Jesus,” Acts 13:6), but Paul sarcastically calls him “son of the devil” (v. 10). The name Elymas is translated mágos (“magician,” Acts 13:8), and it may have derived from Aram. ḥālōmāʾ (“dreamer”) or hālimāʾ (“powerful”).

Bibliography. A. B. Nock, “Paul and the Magus,” in The Beginnings of Christianity 5, ed. F. J. Foakes-Jackson and K. Lake (Grand Rapids, 1979); L. Yaure, “Elymas-Nehelamite-Pethor,” JBL 79 (1960): 297-314.

L. David McClister

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ELYMAS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)