δεισιδαιμονέστερος (G1174) — Greek Lexicon

δεισιδαιμονέστερος

deisidaimonésteros

G1174 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Comparative form indicating 'more reverent towards divine powers or spiritual beings', typically referring to being more careful, scrupulous, or concerned about religious or spiritual matters than others. Depending on tone and context, may connote either genuine piety or excessive, anxious religious observance—sometimes approaching superstition or fearfulness in relation to the divine.

Semantic Range

more reverent, more superstitious, more pious, especially careful or concerned in religious observance, excessively religious or scrupulous

Root / Etymology

Compound of δείδω ('to fear', from the base of δειλός, 'timid, fearful') and δαίμων ('divine being, spirit, deity'). The comparative suffix -έστερος indicates a relative degree ('more than others'). Thus, literally: 'more fearful or reverent towards spirits.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δεισιδαίμων (the positive form) could be neutral or negative, denoting 'fear of the deity' or scrupulous concern for religious observance. By the Hellenistic period, the word often acquired a negative nuance, implying excessive or misguided religiousness, bordering on superstition. In Acts 17:22 (the sole NT occurrence of the comparative form δεισιδαιμονέστερος), Paul uses it to address Athenians: his choice of term is ambiguous, allowing interpretation as either 'particularly pious/religious' or 'overly superstitious.' Common English versions render it with varying nuances ('very religious', 'too superstitious'), but neither fully captures its ambivalent tone. δεισιδαιμονία (related noun) in Hellenistic and later sources often means 'superstition.' Distinct from εὐσέβεια ('proper piety'), which has a more consistently positive connotation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the compound of a derivative of the base of δειλός and δαίμων; more religious than others:--too superstitious.

Root Family

δεισιδαιμονέστερος (deisidaimonesteros) — more reverent toward divine powers, more spirit-fearing, more scrupulous in religious observance

Root δεισιδαιμον- to fear divine powers, to revere, to be anxious regarding spiritual matters

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1174-01`	δεισιδαιμονεστέρους	deisidaimonesterous	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	you are very religious	more spirit-revering ones	more spirit-revering ones	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1174-01`	Acts 17:22	δεισιδαιμονεστέρους	deisidaimonesterous	`ADJ.S ACC M PL`	you are very religious	more spirit-revering ones	more spirit-revering ones

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