Curious Arts
Curious Arts
( , literally the sedulous things, hence the term is applied to an over-officious person, e.g. a busy-body, 1Ti 5:13), prop. overwrought, hence magic (see Iren. adv. Haeres. 1:20; Isidor. iii. 139; comp. curiosus, Horace, Epod. 17:77); spoken of the black art as practiced by the Ephesian conjurors (Act 19:19; see Kuinol, in loc.). The appropriateness of the term is shown by Deyling (Observatt. Sacr. iii. 277 sq.). The allusion is doubtless to the famous Ephesian spells ( ), i.e. charms or scraps of parchment (originating or most used at Ephesus) whereon were written certain marks and formulae, which, like amulets, were worn upon the person as a safeguard against diseases, demons, and other evils (see Wagenseil, Tela Ignea, preface, p. 33; Ursinus, Analect. 2:46; Dietric, Antt. Biblic. in loc.; Cellarins, Disputt. A cadem. p. 441; Wolburg, Observatt. Sacr. p. 470; Laur. Rannires, in Penteconcarch. p. 214). SEE DIVINATION. They are frequently referred to in ancient writings (see Wetstein, Kype, etc. in loc.), e.g. Eustathius (ad Hom. Odyss. i, p. 994, 35), Ephesian letters: some say these were incantations which were of very great assistance to Croesus when used by him at the stake; in the Olympic games, however, it is said that a certain Milesian failed to outstrip an Ephesian till the charm worn by the latter was discovered and removed (comp. Erasmus, Adagg. Center. 2:578). The phrase appears to have been applied to any talismanic inscription (Kister, ad Suidam, 1:919; Gale, ad Jamblichum, p. 290). Ortlob, however, in his Diss. de Ephesiorum libris conbustis (Lips. 1708), 9, contends that the arts in question were rather methods of promoting the worship of the patron goddess of the city (see Wolf, Curae, in loc.). The other and usual view is maintained by Siber (Disputatio de Ephesiorum, Vitemb. 1685; also in Thesaur. Dissertationum super N.T. 1:484 sq.), and Schurzfleisch (Dissertat o de libris Ephesiis, Vitemb. 1698). SEE EPHESUS.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Curious arts
(Acts 19:19), magical arts; jugglery practised by the Ephesian conjurers. Ephesus was noted for its wizard and the “Ephesian spells;” i.e., charms or scraps of parchment written over with certain formula, which were worn as a safeguard against all manner of evils. The more important and powerful of these charms were written out in books which circulated among the exorcists, and were sold at a great price.
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Curious Arts
Act 19:19. The Greek word signifies ‘working round about:’ it was with mystifying words and signs that the sorcerers deceived the people, and carried on their incantations. See DIVINATION.