Definition and Etymology:
The term "Python" in a biblical context is not directly referenced as the modern understanding of a large constricting snake. Instead, it is associated with the spirit of divination. The word "Python" originates from the Greek word "Pythōn," which was used to describe a spirit or demon that possessed individuals, enabling them to foretell the future. This term is derived from the mythological serpent or dragon that was said to have been slain by Apollo at Delphi, a site known for its oracle.

Biblical References:
The most notable reference to a "Python" spirit is found in the New Testament, in the Book of Acts. In Acts 16:16-18 , the Apostle Paul encounters a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination, described as a "Python spirit":

"One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.' She continued this for many days. Eventually, Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!' And the spirit left her at that very moment." (Acts 16:16-18)

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the ancient world, divination was a common practice, and individuals believed to possess the ability to predict the future were often sought after. The spirit of Python was associated with the Oracle of Delphi, where priestesses, known as Pythia, would deliver prophecies. This cultural backdrop provides insight into why the spirit of divination in Acts is referred to as a "Python spirit."

Theological Significance:
From a theological perspective, the encounter with the Python spirit in Acts highlights the early Christian church's confrontation with pagan practices and beliefs. The expulsion of the spirit by Paul demonstrates the authority of Jesus Christ over demonic forces and the power of His name to liberate individuals from spiritual bondage. This event also underscores the early church's mission to proclaim the gospel and challenge the prevailing spiritual and cultural norms of the time.

Moral and Ethical Implications:
The narrative in Acts serves as a caution against engaging in practices associated with divination and the occult. It reflects the biblical teaching that reliance on such practices is contrary to faith in God. The Bible consistently warns against seeking knowledge or guidance from sources other than God, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , which condemns divination and sorcery.

Contemporary Relevance:
In modern times, the concept of a "Python spirit" is sometimes used metaphorically within Christian circles to describe influences or practices that are seen as deceptive or contrary to biblical teachings. The account in Acts serves as a reminder of the spiritual realities that believers may encounter and the importance of discernment and reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance and protection.1. (n.) Any species of very large snakes of the genus Python, and allied genera, of the family Pythonidae. They are nearly allied to the boas. Called also rock snake.

2. (n.) A diviner by spirits.

PYTHON

pi'-thon: Occurs only in Acts 16:16, where the Revised Version (British and American) reads, "a certain maid having a spirit of divination (margin "a spirit, a Python") met us." Puthon, or Putho, is the oldest name of Delphi (or the country about Delphi), in which was situated the famous Delphic Oracle. Consequently "Pythian spirit" came to be the generic title of the supposed source of inspiration of diviners, including the slave-girl of the account in Acts. Exactly what facts underlie the narrative it is rather hard to say, but it is evident that the girl was sincere in her conviction that she spoke with Pythian inspiration. Probably she represents some hysterical type, of none too strong mentality, whose confused utterances were taken as coming from some supernatural power. Impressed by Paul's personality, she followed him about, and, when his command came, was in a state of mind that had prepared her to obey it. The narrative, incidentally, gives an interesting sidelight on a society in which a girl with hysteria had a greater commercial value than she had after her cure.

See DIVINATION.

Burton Scott Easton

4436. puthon -- Python, a mythical serpent slain by Apollo ...
... Python, a mythical serpent slain by Apollo, divination. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: puthon Phonetic Spelling: (poo'-thone) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4436.htm - 6k

On the Overthrow of Petrus and the Introduction of Lucius the ...
... tongue of the girl his instrument, the demon shouted out through her the words uttered
at Philippi by the woman possessed with the spirit of Python, [731] and ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xviii on the overthrow of.htm

Acts xvi. 13, 14
... Indeed a faithful woman!""A certain damsel possessed with a spirit of Python."
(v.16.) Say, what is this demon? The god, as they ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxv acts xvi 13.htm

On Threefold Wisdom.
... Others have been under the influence of the demon called Python, ie, the
ventriloquial spirit, from the commencement of their existence. ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter iii on threefold wisdom.htm

The Extension of the Church Throughout the World
... than he, in the casting out by St. Paul of the evil spirit of Python from
the soothsaying woman. This was an earnest of the final ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter iii the extension of.htm

Salvation: Grace: Faith
... 'Every man his own Redeemer' will not work. You can no more extricate yourself from
the toils of sin than a man can release himself from the folds of a python. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/salvation grace faith.htm

Letter cxxiv. To Avitus.
... are possessed with evil spirits and become diviners and soothsayers; [3384] indeed,
some are indwelt from their earliest years with the spirit of a python. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxiv to avitus.htm

The Holy War,
... Latin words primum mobile, carefully noting in the margin that he meant 'the soul';
and from hence he must have scraped acquaintance with Python, Cerberus, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

Python (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Any species of very large snakes of the genus
Python, and allied genera, of the family Pythonidae. ...PYTHON. ...
/p/python.htm - 10k

Qirhareseth

/q/qirhareseth.htm - 7k

Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)
... which he committed against Jehovah, because of the word of Jehovah which he kept
not, and also for having inquired of the spirit of Python, asking counsel of it ...
/u/unfaithful.htm - 23k

Unfaithfulness (27 Occurrences)
... which he committed against Jehovah, because of the word of Jehovah which he kept
not, and also for having inquired of the spirit of Python, asking counsel of it ...
/u/unfaithfulness.htm - 15k

Inquireth (7 Occurrences)
... Inquireth (7 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer, or one that inquireth
of a spirit of Python, or a soothsayer, or one that consulteth the dead. (DBY). ...
/i/inquireth.htm - 8k

Female (95 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:16 And it came to pass as we were going to prayer that a certain female
slave, having a spirit of Python, met us, who brought much profit to her ...
/f/female.htm - 38k

Familiar (35 Occurrences)
... thee"). Edward Bagby Pollard. SPIRIT, FAMILIAR. See FAMILIAR; DIVINATION;
PYTHON. Multi-Version Concordance Familiar (35 Occurrences). ...
/f/familiar.htm - 22k

Employment (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:16 And it came to pass in our going on to prayer, a certain maid, having
a spirit of Python, did meet us, who brought much employment to her masters by ...
/e/employment.htm - 8k

Prophesying (58 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:16 And it came to pass as we were going to prayer that a certain female
slave, having a spirit of Python, met us, who brought much profit to her ...
/p/prophesying.htm - 25k

Pyrrhus (1 Occurrence)

/p/pyrrhus.htm - 7k

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