Cu. XIX.) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 553
knowledge of a man would be greater, in his own estimation at least. The difference may be given roughly, thus: “Jesus I recognize, and Paul Lam acquainted with.”
Overcame them (xataxuptedcas). The best texts read both of them, which would imply that only two of the seven were concerned in the exorcism. Rev., better, mastered, thus giving the force of «vpios, master, in the composition of the verb.
16. Prevailed against (’cyvce). See on Luke xiv. 30; xvi. 3.
17. Was known (éyévero yuwordv). More correctly, became known.
18. Confessed and shewed (é£opuoroyovpevos Kal avaryyér- Novres). The two words denote the fullest and most open con- fession.. They openly (é&) confessed, and declared thoroughly (ava, from top to bottom) their deeds. See on Matt. ii. 6.
19. Curious arts (ra zreplepya). The word means, literally, overwrought, elaborate, and hence recondite or currous, as mag- ical practices. Only here and 1 Tim. v. 13, in its original sense of those who busy themselves ewcessively (aepl): busybodves. The article indicates the practices referred to in the context.
Books. Containing magical formulas. Heathen writers often allude to the Lphesian letters. These were symbols, or magical sentences written on slips of parchment, and carried about as amulets. Sometimes they were engraved on seals.
Burned (xatéxaiov). Burned them wp (card). The imperfect is graphic, describing them as throwing book after book on the pile.
Counted (cuvelrydicav). Only here in New Testament. See on Luke xiv. 28. The preposition ovv, together, in the com- pound verb, indicates the reckoning up of the sum-total.
554 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu, XIX.
Fifty thousand pieces of silver. If reckoned in Jewish ‘money, about thirty-five thousand dollars ; if in Greek drachme, as is more probable, about nine thousand three hundred dollars.
23. The way. See on ch. ix. 2. 24, Silversmith (dpyupoxdmos). Lit., a selver-beater.
Shrines. Small models of the temple of Diana, containing an image of the goddess. They were purchased by pilgrims to the temple, just as rosaries and images of the Virgin are bought by pilgrims to Lourdes, or bronze models of Trajan’s column or of the Colonne Venddme by tourists to Rome or Paris.*
Craftsmen (rexyvirais). In the next verse he mentions the workmen (épydras), the two words denoting, respectively, the artisans, who performed the more delicate work, and the da- borers, who did the rougher work.
25. Wealth (edopia). See on ability, ch. xi. 29. Lit., wel- fare. Wealth is used by the A. V. in the older and more gen- eral sense of weal, or well-being generally. Compare the Litany of the English Church : “In all time of our tribulation, in all time of our wealth.”
27. Craft (wépos). Lit., part or department of trade.
To be set at nought (els azredeypov édrJSeiv). Lit., to come into refutation or exposure ; hence, disrepute, as Rev. Com- pare ch. xviii. 28, and see note there. °Azedeypos, refutation, occurs only here in New Testament.
Diana. Or Artemis. We must distinguish between the Greek Artemis, known to the Romans as Diana, and the Ephe- sian goddess. The former, according to the legend, was the daughter of Zeus (Jove), and the sister of Apollo. She was
* For descriptions of the temple, see Conybeare and Howson; and Lewin, Life and Epistles of St. Paul; Farrar, Life and Work of St. Paul ; and Woods Ephesus.
Cu. XIX.) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 555
the patroness of the chase, the huntress among the immortals, represented with bow, quiver, and spear, clad in hunting-habit, and attended by dogs and stags. She was both a destroyer and a preserver, sending forth her arrows of death, especially against women, but also acting as a healer, and as the special protectress of women in childbirth. She was also the goddess of the moon. She was a maiden divinity, whose ministers were vowed to chastity.