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δεισιδαιμονία

deisidaimonía

G1175 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primarily, 'reverence for the divine' or 'religious awe'; in various contexts, it can refer to (1) the quality or disposition of being overly scrupulous or fearful of deities, (2) religious observance, especially as perceived by outsiders, or (3) 'superstition' in a negative sense if excessive or misguided. The semantic range is shaped by context, sometimes neutral or positive, at other times carrying pejorative overtones of irrational religiosity.

Semantic Range

religious awe, reverence for deities, piety (neutral or positive sense), scrupulous or excessive religious observance, superstition (pejorative sense), religious belief or practice as perceived by outsiders

Root / Etymology

From δεισιδαίμων (deisidaimōn, 'fearing or reverencing deities' < δέος 'fear' + δαίμων 'divine being, deity'), with the abstract noun ending -ία (-ia), forming a noun of quality or state.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δεισιδαιμονία frequently describes a cautious reverence or awe toward gods, which could be regarded as piety or religiosity, but when excessive or motivated by irrational fear, it comes to mean 'superstition.' Hellenistic authors (such as Polybius, Plutarch) often use it pejoratively, distinguishing informed religious practice from credulous ritual observance. In the New Testament (Acts 25:19), it appears in a context where Roman authorities attempt to neutrally describe the religious controversies of Judeans, suggesting either 'religion' or 'religious beliefs,' rather than an overt negative sense. In later Christian writers, the term is often rendered 'superstition' to contrast with 'true piety,' but this is contextually and theologically motivated. English Bible translations may reflect the translators' interpretation, sometimes choosing 'superstition' (e.g., KJV), at other times 'religion' or 'religious beliefs.' The word does not imply organized religion per se, but rather focuses on the disposition toward the divine, whether seen as sincere reverence, piety, or excessive credulity. Contrasts with εὐσέβεια (eusebeia, 'piety, reverence'), which carries a more consistently positive connotation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as δεισιδαιμονέστερος; religion:--superstition.

Root Family

δεισιδαιμον- (deisidaimonésteros) — to fear divine powers, to revere, to be anxious regarding spiritual matters

Root δεισιδαιμον- fear of the divine, reverence, dread of deities
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1174 δεισιδαιμονέστερος more spirit-revering ones

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1175-01 δεισιδαιμονίας deisidaimonias N GEN F SG superstition of religious awe religious observance 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1175-01 Acts 25:19 δεισιδαιμονίας deisidaimonias N GEN F SG superstition of religious awe religious observance
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