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μάγος

mágos

G3097 noun

SILEX Entry

Root μαγ- to know (esoteric), to perform rituals, to interpret signs

Definition

A practitioner of special knowledge or arts, often associated with the interpretation of dreams, signs, or astrology, especially among the Medean or Persian priestly caste (Magians). In wider Hellenistic contexts, also one reputed for magical skill or esoteric wisdom, whether legitimate or spurious. In the New Testament, especially used of Persian or Babylonian 'wise men' who visit the infant Jesus (Matthew 2). Semantic range includes 'magus' in the sense of learned expert or priest, and 'sorcerer' in a pejorative or negative context.

Semantic Range

Persian priest/magus, wise man, interpreter of dreams and omens, astrologer, magician, sorcerer (in a negative sense)

Root / Etymology

From Old Persian via Aramaic רַב־מָג (rab-māg, 'chief Magian') and ultimately Middle Persian maguš, referring to a member of the priestly caste among Medes and Persians. Entered Greek as μάγος, where it underwent semantic extension.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μάγος primarily designates a member of the Persian priestly class, who were specialists in religious rites, astrology, and dream interpretation. Herodotus describes the Magi as interpreters of omens and keepers of sacred knowledge. In the Hellenistic period, the term expands, especially in colloquial and polemical usage, to denote magical practitioners more broadly, not necessarily Persian, and often in a negative sense (cf. the shift to 'sorcerer' or 'charlatan' in later Greek and Latin). In the Septuagint (e.g., Daniel 2:2, 27), μάγοι are Babylonian wise men consulted for dream interpretation. In the New Testament (Matthew 2:1, 2:7, 2:16), μάγοι refers to 'wise men from the East', often understood as astrologers or dignitaries from the Persian cultural sphere, but not inherently magicians or sorcerers in a pejorative sense. In Acts (13:6, 13:8), the term is applied negatively to a false prophet and sorcerer (Bar-Jesus/Elymas), reflecting the broader Hellenistic sense. English Bible translations often render μάγος as 'wise man' (in Matthew) or 'sorcerer' (in Acts); both reflect context-specific senses, but neither fully conveys the cultural and historical nuance present in the Greek. Thus, μάγος oscillates between connotations of legitimate religious authority and illicit magical practice depending on context.

Translation Consistency

primary "wise man" 0 occurrences

In the New Testament the typical, natural rendering for μάγος is the neutral, descriptive phrase “wise man/wise men” (e.g. Matthew’s visit of the Magi). This captures the common sense of learned/astute foreign priests or astrologers without the technical Latinism (“magus/magi”) or the pejorative tone of “sorcerer.” Using “wise man” gives a clear, readable English equivalent that can be easily inflected to plural (“wise men”) where required.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"magian priests" (2x) "wise men" (2x) "magus" (1x) "magian priest" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of foreign origin (רַב־מָג); a Magian, i.e. Oriental scientist; by implication, a magician:--sorcerer, wise man.

Root Family

μάγος (magos) — esoteric knower, ritual practitioner, interpreter of signs

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3097-02 μάγων magon N GEN M PL wise men of magi of wise men 3
G3097-04 μάγους magous N ACC M PL magi Magian priests Magian priests 1
G3097-01 μάγοι magoi N NOM M PL wise men Magian priests Magian priests 1
G3097-03 μάγος magos N NOM M SG sorcerer Magian priest Magian priest 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3097-01 Matthew 2:1 μάγοι magoi N NOM M PL wise men Magian priests Magian priests
G3097-04 Matthew 2:7 μάγους magous N ACC M PL magi Magian priests Magian priests
G3097-02 Matthew 2:16 μάγων magon N GEN M PL wise men of magi of wise men
G3097-02 Matthew 2:16 μάγων magon-2 N GEN M PL wise men of magi of wise men
G3097-02 Acts 13:6 μάγον magon N ACC M SG sorcerer of magi magus
G3097-03 Acts 13:8 μάγος magos N NOM M SG sorcerer Magian priest Magian priest
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