In the Greek Bible, pharmakeia (φαρμακεία) refers to sorcery, witchcraft, or magic, derived from the practice of using drugs, poisons, or potions, often linked with idolatry, pagan worship, and deception, appearing in Galatians 5:20 (works of the flesh) and Revelation 9:21 & 18:23 (deceiving nations), not modern pharmaceuticals. It signifies manipulating spiritual forces or people through substances, embodying evil or deceitful practices that lead people away from God.
Pharmakeia in the Old Testament
In the Septuagint, pharmakeia occurs eight times (Exod 7:11, 22; 8:3, 14 [ET 7, 18]; Isa 47:9, 12; Wisdom of Solomon 12:4; 18:13). It always denotes sorcery, never poison or medicinal remedies.
Pharmakeia – “sorcery, magic” Pharmakon – “magic potion, drug, enchantment” Pharmakos – “sorcerer, magician” It is no surprise that these words, which form the base of our English “pharmacy,” originally described someone who mixed herbs and other substances to make potions for medical purposes.
The Greek word pharmakeia has the idea of “the administering of drugs; poisoning.” The word then came to be associated with “sorcery, magic and the magic arts.” The word occurs only three times in the New Testament: Galatians 5:20; Revelation 9:21 and Revelation 18:23.
While the Bible doesn't use modern medical terms like “substance abuse,” it strongly warns against drunkenness, being controlled by anything other than the Spirit of God, and the destruction that follows addiction-like behavior (see Proverbs 23:29–35, Ephesians 5:18).
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) For the addict, even when they want to quit the fight, Jesus is there to help them through.
It was to Saul that Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
However, the Biblical use of “pharmakeia” doesn't really fit well with our idea of sorcery. Rather, the term suggests various forms of drug abuse such as used in pagan worship, as an addiction, or as a poison used to kill, manipulate or control others. Ancient societies were no stranger to mind-altering chemicals.
In addition, God gives us the use of plants and herbs for curative care, both physical (2 Kings 20:7; Psalm 51:7) and emotional (Psalm 45:8; Genesis 43:11). Reflect on how people have used plants, seeds and herbs.
11:1 substance. The word translated “substance” (Greek hupostasis), meaning “that which stands under”) is translated “person” in Hebrews 1:3.
Yes, Greek mythology is rich with LGBTQ+ themes, featuring numerous gods, heroes, and mortals in same-sex relationships, gender fluidity, and androgyny, reflecting ancient Greek attitudes that often normalized such relationships, particularly among men (pederasty) and sometimes between women, alongside figures like the gender-shifting Tiresias. Key examples include Zeus and Ganymede, Apollo and Hyacinthus, Achilles and Patroclus, and the gender-fluid Tiresias, showing diverse expressions of love, attraction, and identity.
The word Asclepius is thought to be derived from the word “askalabos”, which means “snake” in Greek (14,21). As the symbol of Asclepius, which is a snake, is believed to possess eternal youth as it sloughs its skin off, it was directly associated with health in the ancient Greek world (5).
All it says is to remain sober. If any drug or amount of drugs stops you from thinking logically and faithfully then it is sinful to do so. This means limit alcohol, limit marijuana, stay away from hard drugs.
The biggest unforgivable sin varies by faith, but in Christianity, it's often seen as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, a persistent rejection of God's grace, while in Islam, the gravest unforgivable sin is shirk, or associating partners with God, if not repented. Pride is also considered a foundational, serious sin across many faiths, linked to the downfall of figures like Satan.
No, the famous Ezekiel 25:17 from Pulp Fiction is not a real Bible verse, but a fictionalized, altered quote cobbled together by Quentin Tarantino, mixing elements from the Book of {!nav}Ezekiel and a 1970s Japanese martial arts film. The actual biblical verse in Ezekiel 25:17 is about God's vengeance on the Philistines, a stark contrast to the philosophical monologue about righteous paths in the movie.
It is NOT sinful to need professionally prescribed medicines. In Ezekiel 47:12, when describing the perfect conditions of God's kingdom, the prophet says, there will be water to drink, fruit to eat and leaves for medicine.
There's no single "most powerful" healing herb, as different herbs excel at different things, but Turmeric (for inflammation/pain), Ashwagandha (for stress/energy), and Ginkgo Biloba (for brain health) are consistently ranked among the top for broad, potent benefits, alongside others like Ginger and Holy Basil (Tulsi) in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda. Turmeric, with its active compound curcumin, is famous for potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, helping with arthritis and chronic pain.
Luke 5:31-32 New King James Version (NKJV)
Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Herbs and medicinal plants noted in this book include many of the “usual suspects” known to many readers of The Bible. For instance, aloe (Aloe spp., Liliaceae) and myrrh (Commiphora myrrha, Burseraceae) are noted in The Bible as herbs that were wrapped around the body of Jesus in linen clothes after his death.
The earliest reference to opium growth and use is in 3,400 B.C. when the opium poppy was cultivated in lower Mesopotamia (Southwest Asia). The Sumerians referred to it as Hul Gil, the "joy plant." The Sumerians soon passed it on to the Assyrians, who in turn passed it on to the Egyptians.
Revelation 18:23 foresees a global misuse of drugs to bewitch and mislead all nations. God will judge these occult practices. To some extent the great merchants of the earth will enrich themselves even further as they profitably partake in this global deception.
Sorcery, the act of using spells, or chatting to spirits, is deemed as an abomination in the Biblical text. The term sorcery in Scripture is continually used in reference to an immoral or false practice. Sorcery can be seen as an effort to circumvent God's knowledge and sovereignty and to worship Satan instead.
With this declaration, Alma identified for Corianton the three most abominable sins in the sight of God: (1) denying the Holy Ghost, (2) shedding innocent blood, and (3) committing sexual sin.
The Bible mentions both witchcraft and divination but the two are closely linked and both are categorically renounced. Paul lists “sorcery” in Galatians 5 when he shares the “deeds of the flesh” and this word is the Greek word Pharmakeia which is typically translated as sorcery or witchcraft.
Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.