Bible Person

Elymas

Meaning: a magician · Male · 2 cross references

Elymas is the Greek or interpretive name attached to Bar-Jesus, the magician who opposes Paul and Barnabas in Cyprus. He belongs to one of the earliest confrontations between apostolic mission and intentional spiritual resistance in Acts. First appears in Acts 13:8.1

AI summary: Elymas matters because the cross references place him in direct opposition to the gospel before a Roman official at a key turning point in mission to the Gentile world. His attempt to turn the proconsul away is met with prophetic judgment, showing the authority of the apostolic message over manipulative spiritual power. Taken together, the material presents Elymas as an opponent whose blinding underscores the triumph of the gospel over deceitful resistance.1

Central Figure

Elymas

Meaning: a magician

Magician or sorcerer, the Arabic name of the Jew Bar-jesus, who withstood Paul and Barnabas in Cyprus.