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Sceva
Excerpt from the Lexham Bible Dictionary, the most advanced Bible dictionary.
The name of a supposed Jewish high priest whose seven sons or followers were Jewish exorcists (Acts 19:13–19) in Ephesus during the time of Paul’s third missionary journey (ad 53 or 54).
Lexham Bible Dictionary
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The Lexham Bible Dictionary
Sceva
Sceva (Σκευᾶς, Skeuas). The name of a supposed Jewish high priest whose seven sons or followers were Jewish exorcists (Acts 19:13–19) in Ephesus during the time of Paul’s third missionary journey (ad 53 or 54).
The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary
Sceva (Person)
SCEVA (PERSON) [Gk Skeyas (Σκευας)]. A man identified as “a Jewish chief priest” (Acts 19:14), whose seven “sons” (possibly disciples) were itinerant exorcists. In response to the fame achieved by Paul’s miracles during his time in Ephesus, other Jewish exorcists began to use the name of Jesus as a magic
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible
Sceva
Sceva. Father of seven sons and a Jewish chief priest in Ephesus at the time of Paul’s visit on his third missionary journey. Sceva’s sons attempted to imitate Paul’s exorcism of evil spirits in the name of Jesus. Their exorcisms failed, and their authority was not recognized; they consequently were
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised
Sceva
Sceva sēʹvə [Gk. Skeuas] A Jewish high priest whose seven sons were itinerant Jewish exorcists in Ephesus (Acts 19:14) when Paul was there during his third missionary tour (cf. vv 11–20). Because of the great fame of Paul’s miracles, Jewish exorcists had begun to employ the name of Jesus to work similar
Tyndale Bible Dictionary
Sceva
SCEVA Father of seven sons and a Jewish chief priest in Ephesus at the time of Paul’s visit on his third missionary journey. Sceva’s sons attempted to imitate Paul’s exorcism of evil spirits in the name of Jesus. The exorcisms failed, and their authority was not recognized. Consequently, they were attacked
The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated)
Sceva
Sceva (see´vuh), a Jewish high priest and the father of seven Jewish exorcists who attempted to imitate Paul’s use of the name of Jesus in their exorcising of evil spirits, according to Acts 19:11–20. This unauthorized use of the name had unanticipated negative consequences when, rather than exorcising
The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia
Sceva
SCEVA. Jewish high priest at Ephesus whose seven sons attempted to cast out a demon in the name of Jesus. Instead, they were wounded by it and had to flee humiliated and naked. God used this experience to turn many people of Ephesus unto Himself (Acts 19:11–20). Since he lived in Ephesus and had a Gr.
The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition
Sceva
SCEVA. Actual or putative father of a group of seven magical practioners who, endeavouring to imitate Paul in Ephesus, used a spell with the name of Jesus for exorcism, were repudiated by the demon and set upon by the demoniac: an Incident which deeply impressed Jew and Gentile alike (Acts 19:13ff.).
Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible
Sceva
Sceva (Gk. Skeuás)A Jewish chief priest (Gk. archiereús) whose seven sons attempt to exorcise demons in Ephesus through the name of “Jesus whom Paul proclaims” (Acts 19:14). They meet with disastrous results, as an evil spirit ridicules their misappropriation of Paul’s authority and violently assaults
Eerdmans Bible Dictionary
Sceva
Sceva [sēˊvə] (Gk. Skeuas; Lat. Scaeva).† A Jewish “high priest” whose seven sons were among exorcists in Ephesus who attempted to use the name of “Jesus whom Paul preaches” in exorcism (Acts 19:13–14). The demonized person for whom they attempted this attacked them after the demon had challenged
Catholic Bible Dictionary
Sceva
SCEVA A “Jewish high priest” in Ephesus (Acts 19:14) who was the father of seven “sons” (perhaps disciples), who were itinerant Jewish exorcists. The sons attempted to use the name of the Lord Jesus to perform an exorcism, declaring to the evil spirit, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Sceva
Sce´va, a Jew residing at Ephesus at the time of St. Paul’s second visit to that town. Acts 19:14–16. (a.d. 52.)
See also
Relatives
Sons of Sceva Son
Roles
Chief priest