elymas Summary and Overview
Bible Dictionaries at a Glance
elymas in Easton's Bible Dictionary
magician or sorcerer, the Arabic name of the Jew Bar-jesus, who withstood Paul and Barnabas in Cyprus. He was miraculously struck with blindness (Acts 13:11).
elymas in Smith's Bible Dictionary
(a wise man), the Arabic name of the Jewish magus or sorcerer Bar-jesus. #Ac 13:6| ff. (A.D. 44.)
elymas in Schaff's Bible Dictionary
EL'YMAS . See Bar-jesus, Sergius Paulus.
elymas in Fausset's Bible Dictionary
Arabic (alim, "wise," related to ulema) for Barjesus, the Jew sorcerer associated with Sergius Paulus. proconsul of Cyprus at Paul's visit (Acts 13:6, etc.). Struck blind for "seeking to turn away the deputy (proconsul) from the faith." As he opposed the gospel light, in significant retribution he lost the natural light. Contrast Paul's simultaneously receiving sight and the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). As belief in religion declined under the Roman empire, belief in eastern magic increased.