Pharmakeia
/ˌfɑːr.məˈkeɪ.ə/noun
An ancient Greek term for the use of drugs, potions, or magic, especially sorcery or poisoning.
Did you know?Pharmakeia appears in the New Testament and is often translated as “sorcery,” while its root pharmakon could mean either a healing drug, a poison, or a magical substance.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Greek
Greek
φάρμακον (phármakon)
“A drug, remedy, poison, or magical potion—the substance’s effect determined whether it healed or harmed.”
Classical Greek
Greek
φαρμακεύς (pharmakeús)
“A person who prepared or administered drugs and potions; later associated with poisoning and magic.”
Classical Greek
Greek
φαρμακεία (pharmakeía)
“The preparation or use of drugs and potions; also poisoning, enchantment, or sorcery.”
Koine Greek
Greek
φαρμακεία (pharmakeía)
“A term used in early Christian texts for illicit magic, potion-making, or sorcery.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
pharmacia
“Drug preparation and the practice of compounding medicinal substances; a related Latin form.”
Modern English
English
pharmakeia
“A scholarly and theological transliteration of the Greek term, commonly glossed as sorcery, witchcraft, or drug-based magic.”
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