Elymas
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Elymas Struck Blind (La ceguera de Elymas) (Raphael, 1519)
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| Nationality | Paphos, Roman Cyprus |
| Occupation | Sorcerer |
Elymas (/ˈɛlɪməs/; Ancient Greek: Ἐλύμας;[1] c. 1st century AD), also known as Bar-Jesus (Ancient Greek: Βαριησοῦς,[1] Imperial Aramaic: Bar-Shuma, Latin: Bariesu), is a Jew described in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 13,[2] in the New Testament. He is referred to as a mágos (μάγος), which the King James Bible translates as "sorcerer" and false prophet (ψευδοπροφήτης).[1]
In Acts 13, Paul the Apostle and Barnabas travel to the city of PaphosinCyprus, where the Roman Proconsul, Sergius Paulus, wishes to hear them speak about Jesus. Elymas, described as a false prophet and a sorcerer, opposes them, whereupon Paul (who is here referred to for the first time by his Roman name) announces that God intends to make Elymas temporarily blind. A cloud of darkness immediately begins blocking his sight;[3] after this, Sergius Paulus is converted to Christianity.[4]
According to The Golden Legend, Elymas later stirred up a riot of Jews and pagans in Salamina (Salamis) against Barnabas, resulting in his death.[5]
Acts 13:8 says, "Elymas the mágos (for so his name is translated) opposed them". "Elymas" is possibly derived from the Arabic ‘alīm "learned" or "wise", and may be used to translate mágos.[6] Bar-Jesus means "Son of Joshua" or "Son of Jesus" in Aramaic.
"Elymas the Sorcerer Struck with Blindness" is the title of a famous cartoonbyRaphael, which served as the inspiration for woven tapestries in the Vatican.[7]
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