Pharisaic
/ˌfærɪˈseɪɪk/noun
Relating to the Pharisees or characterized by hypocritical, self-righteous adherence to religious rules.
Did you know?Although “pharisaic” now commonly means hypocritical, the historical Pharisees were influential Jewish teachers whose interpretations helped shape rabbinic Judaism.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Hebrew
Hebrew
pārûš
“Separated or set apart; a term connected with distinction and interpretation”
Second Temple Period
Aramaic
perīšayyā
“The separated ones; the designation associated with the Pharisees”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Ancient Greek
Pharisaîos
“A Pharisee, a member of the Jewish religious movement”
Late Old English–Middle English
Latin
Pharisaeus
“Pharisee, transmitted through Christian Latin biblical usage”
16th Century
English
Pharisaical
“Relating to a Pharisee; figuratively, hypocritically religious”
Modern English
English
Pharisaic
“Relating to the Pharisees or displaying self-righteous hypocrisy”