← G5577 G5579 →

ψευδοπροφήτης

pseudoprophḗtēs

G5578 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ψευδ-προφητ- to lie, to prophesy

Definition

A person who claims to speak by inspiration or on behalf of a deity, but is understood to speak falsely, to mislead, or proclaim what is not genuinely revealed; one who assumes the role or function of a prophet without authenticating signs or truthfulness. In literary and polemical contexts, used for those judged to be delivering oracles, predictions, or teachings contrary to accepted revelation or tradition. The term can carry connotations of intentional deception, self-delusion, or erroneous teaching, depending on the context.

Semantic Range

a person falsely claiming prophetic inspiration; one regarded as illegitimately delivering oracles, predictions, or teachings; spurious, deceptive, or heterodox prophet; religious pretender; opponent or rival to accepted prophetic authority; propagandist of erroneous doctrine

Root / Etymology

Compound formed from ψευδής ('false, lying') and προφήτης ('prophet, spokesperson, proclaimer'). Suffix -της denotes an agent noun. Thus, ψευδοπροφήτης literally means 'false prophet' or 'lying prophet.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term occurs in Hellenistic and especially Jewish and early Christian texts to describe individuals regarded by the community as purveyors of spurious prophecy—whether through deliberate deceit or by teaching contrary to received tradition. In the Septuagint, as in the Hebrew Bible, the concept of a false prophet has roots in the denunciation of those claiming divine authority illegitimately (see Deuteronomy 18:20-22; Jeremiah 23). In the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 7:15, 24:11, 24:24; Mark 13:22; Revelation), ψευδοπροφήτης refers specifically to those regarded as distorting the message of Jesus or the apostles or leading assemblies astray. The Greek term is always polemical—applied by the in-group to define and exclude competing claimants to prophetic inspiration. Greek usage outside Jewish and Christian literature is rare, but similar compounds (e.g., ψευδάγγελος, 'false messenger') appear. English 'false prophet' is conventional but sometimes obscures the specific function: the claimant's role is that of a prophet, but their legitimacy is denied. The broader context may distinguish between conscious fraud, mistaken inspiration, or heterodox teaching. The negative characterization always reflects the standpoint of the speaker or community judging the claim. Contrasts with προφήτης (genuine prophet); cf. distinctions drawn in rabbinic and early Christian literature. The term is largely absent from classical Greek but is well established in Second Temple Jewish literature and the New Testament.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ψευδής and προφήτης; a spurious prophet, i.e. pretended foreteller or religious impostor:--false prophet.

Root Family

ψευδοπροφήτης (pseudoprophētēs) — to lie, to prophesy, false claimant to inspiration

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G5578-01 ψευδοπροφῆται pseudoprophetai N NOM M PL false prophets lying prophets 5
G5578-04 ψευδοπροφήτης pseudoprophetes N NOM M SG false prophet false prophet 2
G5578-06 ψευδοπροφήτου pseudoprophetou N GEN M SG false prophet of a lying prophet 1
G5578-05 ψευδοπροφητῶν pseudopropheton N GEN M PL of false prophets 1
G5578-03 ψευδοπροφήτην pseudopropheten N ACC M SG false prophet false prophet 1
G5578-02 ψευδοπροφήταις pseudoprophetais N DAT M PL false-prophets to false prophets 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G5578-05 Matthew 7:15 ψευδοπροφητῶν pseudopropheton N GEN M PL of false prophets
G5578-01 Matthew 24:11 ψευδοπροφῆται pseudoprophetai N NOM M PL lying prophets
G5578-01 Matthew 24:24 ψευδοπροφῆται pseudoprophetai N NOM M PL lying prophets
G5578-01 Mark 13:22 ψευδοπροφῆται pseudoprophetai N NOM M PL false prophets lying prophets
G5578-02 Luke 6:26 ψευδοπροφήταις pseudoprophetais N DAT M PL false-prophets to false prophets
G5578-03 Acts 13:6 ψευδοπροφήτην pseudopropheten N ACC M SG false prophet false prophet
G5578-01 2 Peter 2:1 ψευδοπροφῆται pseudoprophetai N NOM M PL false prophets lying prophets
G5578-01 1 John 4:1 ψευδοπροφῆται pseudoprophetai N NOM M PL false prophets lying prophets
G5578-06 Revelation 16:13 ψευδοπροφήτου pseudoprophetou N GEN M SG false prophet of a lying prophet
G5578-04 Revelation 19:20 ψευδοπροφήτης pseudoprophetes N NOM M SG false prophet false prophet
← G5577 Greek Lexicon G5579 →