Atos 19
Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 19
Utley writes that shrines "refers to small silver images (1) of the Temple of Artemis or (2) the meteorite which looked like a multi-breasted woman. Archaeology has found many silver images of this goddess, but none of the shrine (temple) itself. It was one of the seven wonders of the world. Its base was 100 feet by 340 feet. It had 177 columns that were 55 feet tall and 6 feet thick. It was four times larger than the Partheon in Athens " Vincent on the shrines - Small models of the temple of Diana, containing an image of the goddess. They were purchased by pilgrims to the temple, just as rosaries and images of the Virgin are bought by pilgrims to Lourdes, or bronze models of Trajan's column or of the Colonne Vendôme by tourists to Rome or Paris Replica of Temple of Artemis Temple of Artemis (Diania) in Ephesus - The Temple of Artemis or Artemision, also known less precisely as the Temple of Diana, was a Greek temple dedicated to an ancient, local form of the goddess Artemis (associated with Diana, a Roman goddess). It was located in Ephesus (near the modern town of Selçuk in present-day Turkey). It was completely rebuilt twice, once after a devastating flood and three hundred years later after an act of arson, and in its final form was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. By 401 AD it had been ruined or destroyed.[1] Only foundations and fragments of the last temple remain at the site. From the Greek point of view, the Ephesian Artemis is a distinctive form of their goddess Artemis. In Greek cult and myth, Artemis is the twin of Apollo, a virgin huntress who supplanted the TitanSelene as goddess of the Moon. At Ephesus, a goddess whom the Greeks associated with Artemis was venerated in an archaic, pre-Hellenic cult image[38] that was carved of wood (a xoanon) and kept decorated with jewelry. The features are most similar to Near-Eastern and Egyptian deities, and least similar to Greek ones. The body and legs are enclosed within a tapering pillar-like term, from which the goddess' feet protrude. On the coins minted at Ephesus, the goddess wears a mural crown (like a city's walls), an attribute of Cybele as a protector of cities (see polos).[38] The Hideous Statue of Artemis Constable on the Temple of Artemis (Diana) - The temple of Diana in Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and many historians believe it was one of the most beautiful buildings ever built. It stood about a mile northeast of the city and served as a bank as well as a place of worship and cultic immorality. It could accommodate 50,000 people (OTHERS SAY 25,000) and was probably the largest Greek temple ever built. Its centerpiece was evidently a meteorite that resembled a woman with many breasts. Other meteorites that became sacred cult objects were at Troy, Pessinus, Enna, and Emeas. See Longenecker, p. 502. Herschel Ford wrote, “During the construction of the building any prince counted it a great honor to be allowed to erect one of these pillars. Alexander the Great offered to pay the entire cost of the temple if they would inscribe his name upon it. These offers were refused, but thousands of people contributed to the cost. The greatest painters were proud to have their pictures in the temple and the greatest sculptors vied for the privilege of placing their statues in it.” Polhill on Artemis - The famous statue of Artemis, the centerpiece of her temple, was noted for the mysterious terms engraved on the crown, girdle, and feet of the image. Referred to as the “Ephesian scripts,” (Ephesia grammata) this magical gibberish was considered to have great power. (NAC)
Atos 19
Utley - There are numerous passages in Greek literature of the first century that mention Artemis of the Ephesians. Apparently there were thirty-nine separate cities of the Mediterranean world which were involved in the fertility worship of this mother goddess. Will even be dethroned from her magnificence - "Suffer the loss of her greatness (magnificence)" Louw-Nida has "and to have her greatness done away with." Dethroned (2507)(kathaireo from kata = down + haireo = to take for oneself) means to take down, tear down or destroy. In classical Greek it refers to objects, buildings, persons (to kill), and nations. The Septuagint uses it in reference to the taking down of altars, walls, vessels, idols, pagan temples, and the dismantling of tents. It is fascinating that this same word for "taking down" the reputation and significance is used in the NT in 4/9 uses to describe taking the body of Christ down from the Cross! (Mark 15:36,46; Luke 23:53; Acts 13:29). In 2 Cor 10:5 it is used by Paul to describe "destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." That is not a bad application to Artemis which is nothing but vain speculation and demonically inspired men's thoughts raised up against the knowledge of God. The Gospel Paul proclaimed had the power to dethrone the idolatry and debauchery associated with Artemis. Magnificence (3168)(megaleiotetos from megaleios = magnificent, mighty, great from megas = great) refers to the quality or state of being foremost in esteem, grandeur, splendor, sublimity, majesty. It defines the quality or state of being foremost in esteem, grandeur, sublimity, majesty. Three uses in NT two of God - Lk. 9:43; Acts 19:27; 2 Pet. 1:16