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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 16:16 One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/16-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/44_Act_16_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 16:16 - Paul and Silas Imprisoned" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/acts/16-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/16-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/16.htm">Chapter 16</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/16-15.htm" title="Acts 16:15">◄</a> Acts 16:16 <a href="/acts/16-17.htm" title="Acts 16:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/16.htm">New International Version</a> Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. <a href="/nlt/acts/16.htm">New Living Translation</a> One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes. <a href="/esv/acts/16.htm">English Standard Version</a> As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. <a href="/bsb/acts/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. <a href="/blb/acts/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now it happened of us going to the place of prayer, a certain girl, having a spirit of Python, met us, who was bringing her masters much gain by fortune-telling. <a href="/kjv/acts/16.htm">King James Bible</a> And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: <a href="/nkjv/acts/16.htm">New King James Version</a> Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. <a href="/nasb_/acts/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave woman who had a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing great profit to her masters by fortune-telling. <a href="/nasb/acts/16.htm">NASB 1995</a> It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling. <a href="/nasb77/acts/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And it happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a certain slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortunetelling. <a href="/lsb/acts/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now it happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a servant-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling. <a href="/amp/acts/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a> It happened that as we were on our way to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination [that is, a demonic spirit claiming to foretell the future and discover hidden knowledge], and she brought her owners a good profit by fortune-telling. <a href="/csb/acts/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Once, as we were on our way to prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling. <a href="/hcsb/acts/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Once, as we were on our way to prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit of prediction. She made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling. <a href="/asv/acts/16.htm">American Standard Version</a> And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. <a href="/cev/acts/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> One day on our way to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl. She had a spirit in her that gave her the power to tell the future. By doing this she made a lot of money for her owners. <a href="/erv/acts/16.htm">English Revised Version</a> And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. <a href="/gwt/acts/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> One day when we were going to the place of prayer, a female servant met us. She was possessed by an evil spirit that told fortunes. She made a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes. <a href="/gnt/acts/16.htm">Good News Translation</a> One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a young servant woman who had an evil spirit that enabled her to predict the future. She earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes. <a href="/isv/acts/16.htm">International Standard Version</a> Once, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit of fortune-telling and who had brought her owners a great deal of money by predicting the future. <a href="/msb/acts/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. <a href="/net/acts/16.htm">NET Bible</a> Now as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit that enabled her to foretell the future by supernatural means. She brought her owners a great profit by fortune-telling. <a href="/nheb/acts/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit of Python met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling. <a href="/wbt/acts/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And it came to pass as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination, met us, who brought her masters much gain by sooth-saying: <a href="/wey/acts/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> One day, as we were on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us who claimed to be inspired and was accustomed to bring her owners large profits by telling fortunes. <a href="/web/acts/16.htm">World English Bible</a> As we were going to prayer, a certain girl having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And it came to pass in our going on to prayer, a certain maid, having a spirit of Python, met us, who brought much employment to her masters by soothsaying; <a href="/blb/acts/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now it happened of us going to the place of prayer, a certain girl, having a spirit of Python, met us, who was bringing her masters much gain by fortune-telling. <a href="/ylt/acts/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And it came to pass in our going on to prayer, a certain maid, having a spirit of Python, did meet us, who brought much employment to her masters by soothsaying, <a href="/slt/acts/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it was we going for prayer, a certain young girl having the spirit of Python met us, who furnished much gain to her lords, prophesying:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain girl, having a pythonical spirit, met us, who brought to her masters much gain by divining. <a href="/cpdv/acts/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then it happened that, as we were going out to prayer, a certain girl, having a spirit of divination, met with us. She was a source of great profit to her masters, through her divining. <a href="/nabre/acts/16.htm">New American Bible</a> As we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl with an oracular spirit, who used to bring a large profit to her owners through her fortune-telling. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And it came to pass, as we went to the house of prayer, we were met by a young girl who was possessed of a spirit, and who did for her masters a great business by fortune telling. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/16.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And it was that as we were going to the house of prayer, there met with us one girl who had a spirit of divination upon her and she was making a great business for her masters in the divination that she had been practicing.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/16.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And it came to pass, that as we were going to the house of prayer, there met us a certain maid-servant that had a spirit of Python, who brought much gain to her masters, by giving responses. <a href="/godbey/acts/16.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And it came to pass, we going to the prayer, a certain damsel having a spirit of divination met us, who brought much gain to her masters telling fortunes. <a href="/haweis/acts/16.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Now it happened as we were going to the oratory, a certain damsel having a pythonic spirit met us, who produced for her masters much gain as a fortuneteller: <a href="/mace/acts/16.htm">Mace New Testament</a> One day as we went to the oratory, we happen'd to meet a slave, who had the spirit Python, and was very gainful to her masters by telling of fortunes. <a href="/wey/acts/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> One day, as we were on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl met us who claimed to be inspired and was accustomed to bring her owners large profits by telling fortunes. <a href="/worrell/acts/16.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And it came to pass, as we were on our way to the place of prayer, that a certain damsel, having a spirit of divination, met us; who, indeed, was bringing to her masters much gain by sooth-saying. <a href="/worsley/acts/16.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Now as we were going to the place of prayer, there met us a young woman that had a spirit of divination, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. <a href="/parallel/acts/16-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=5323" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/16.htm">Paul and Silas Imprisoned</a> 15And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. 16<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">One day</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: Egeneto (V-AIM-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude."></a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">as we</a> <a href="/greek/4198.htm" title="4198: poreuomenōn (V-PPM/P-GMP) -- To travel, journey, go, die. ">were going</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4335.htm" title="4335: proseuchēn (N-AFS) -- From proseuchomai; prayer; by implication, an oratory.">place of prayer,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmin (PPro-D1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">we</a> <a href="/greek/5221.htm" title="5221: hypantēsai (V-ANA) -- To meet, go to meet. From hupo and a derivative of anti; to go opposite under, i.e. To encounter, fall in with.">were met by</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tina (IPro-AFS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">a</a> <a href="/greek/3814.htm" title="3814: paidiskēn (N-AFS) -- A female slave, maidservant, maid, young girl. Feminine diminutive of pais; a girl, i.e., a female slave or servant.">slave girl</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echousan (V-PPA-AFS) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">with</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: pneuma (N-ANS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">a spirit</a> <a href="/greek/4436.htm" title="4436: Pythōna (N-AMS) -- From Putho; a Python, i.e. inspiration.">of divination,</a> <a href="/greek/3748.htm" title="3748: hētis (RelPro-NFS) -- Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever. ">who</a> <a href="/greek/3930.htm" title="3930: pareichen (V-IIA-3S) -- From para and echo; to hold near, i.e. Present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion.">earned</a> <a href="/greek/4183.htm" title="4183: pollēn (Adj-AFS) -- Much, many; often. ">a large</a> <a href="/greek/2039.htm" title="2039: ergasian (N-AFS) -- From ergates; occupation; by implication, profit, pains.">income</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēs (PPro-GF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">for her</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: kyriois (N-DMP) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">masters</a> <a href="/greek/3132.htm" title="3132: manteuomenē (V-PPM/P-NFS) -- From a derivative of mainomai; to divine, i.e. Utter spells">by fortune-telling.</a> 17This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a> Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you. <a href="/1_samuel/28-7.htm">1 Samuel 28:7-8</a> Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” “There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied. / So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.” <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Leviticus 19:31</a> You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God. <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19</a> When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a> They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. <a href="/2_chronicles/33-6.htm">2 Chronicles 33:6</a> He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. <a href="/daniel/2-27.htm">Daniel 2:27-28</a> Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. / But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these: <a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Zechariah 10:2</a> For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd. <a href="/micah/5-12.htm">Micah 5:12</a> I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers. <a href="/nahum/3-4.htm">Nahum 3:4</a> because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the seductive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft. <a href="/matthew/8-28.htm">Matthew 8:28-34</a> When Jesus arrived on the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, He was met by two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. / “What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?” / In the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding. ... <a href="/mark/5-1.htm">Mark 5:1-20</a> On the other side of the sea, they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes. / As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, He was met by a man with an unclean spirit, who was coming from the tombs. / This man had been living in the tombs and could no longer be restrained, even with chains. ... <a href="/luke/8-27.htm">Luke 8:27-39</a> When Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothing or lived in a house, but he stayed in the tombs. / When the man saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Him, shouting in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You not to torture me!” / For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was bound with chains and shackles, he had broken the chains and been driven by the demon into solitary places. ... <a href="/luke/4-33.htm">Luke 4:33-36</a> In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon. He cried out in a loud voice, / “Ha! What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” / But Jesus rebuked the demon. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” At this, the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without harming him. ... <a href="/luke/13-11.htm">Luke 13:11-13</a> and a woman there had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was hunched over and could not stand up straight. / When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your disability.” / Then He placed His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and began to glorify God.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:as.<a href="/acts/16-13.htm">Acts 16:13</a> And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.possessed.<a href="/acts/16-18.htm">Acts 16:18</a> And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.<a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Acts 8:9-11</a> But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: … <a href="/exodus/7-11.htm">Exodus 7:11,12</a> Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments… divination.<a href="/acts/19-24.htm">Acts 19:24</a> For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;<a href="/1_timothy/6-10.htm">1 Timothy 6:10</a> For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.<a href="/2_peter/2-3.htm">2 Peter 2:3</a> And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/15-8.htm">Accustomed</a> <a href="/acts/4-32.htm">Claimed</a> <a href="/acts/12-13.htm">Damsel</a> <a href="/john/4-41.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/micah/3-6.htm">Divination</a> <a href="/luke/19-23.htm">Earned</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-7.htm">Fortune</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-7.htm">Fortunes</a> <a href="/acts/4-17.htm">Future</a> <a href="/acts/7-10.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/acts/12-13.htm">Girl</a> <a href="/acts/15-3.htm">Great</a> <a href="/acts/15-3.htm">Inspired</a> <a href="/acts/14-1.htm">Large</a> <a href="/luke/22-25.htm">Masters</a> <a href="/acts/15-6.htm">Met</a> <a href="/acts/16-10.htm">Once</a> <a href="/acts/4-34.htm">Owners</a> <a href="/acts/8-7.htm">Possessed</a> <a href="/acts/16-13.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/acts/11-28.htm">Predicted</a> <a href="/john/12-19.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/john/6-63.htm">Profits</a> <a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/john/18-17.htm">Slave-Girl</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-6.htm">Soothsaying</a> <a href="/acts/16-7.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/acts/15-35.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/acts/16-4.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/2-12.htm">Accustomed</a> <a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Claimed</a> <a href="/genesis/24-14.htm">Damsel</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-2.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/genesis/30-27.htm">Divination</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-31.htm">Earned</a> <a href="/genesis/30-11.htm">Fortune</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-3.htm">Fortunes</a> <a href="/acts/18-6.htm">Future</a> <a href="/acts/16-19.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/acts/16-17.htm">Girl</a> <a href="/acts/16-20.htm">Great</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-11.htm">Inspired</a> <a href="/acts/17-4.htm">Large</a> <a href="/acts/16-19.htm">Masters</a> <a href="/acts/16-40.htm">Met</a> <a href="/acts/16-26.htm">Once</a> <a href="/acts/16-19.htm">Owners</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-8.htm">Possessed</a> <a href="/acts/20-36.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/acts/26-22.htm">Predicted</a> <a href="/acts/16-19.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Profits</a> <a href="/acts/16-19.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Slave-Girl</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-26.htm">Soothsaying</a> <a href="/acts/16-18.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/acts/16-17.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/acts/16-17.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 16</div>1. <a href="/acts/16-1.htm">Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy,</a> 7. <a href="/acts/16-7.htm">and being called by the Spirit from one country to another,</a> 14. <a href="/acts/16-14.htm">convert Lydia,</a> 16. <a href="/acts/16-16.htm">and cast out a spirit of divination;</a> 19. <a href="/acts/16-19.htm">for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned.</a> 25. <a href="/acts/16-25.htm">The prison doors are opened.</a> 31. <a href="/acts/16-31.htm">The jailor is converted,</a> 35. <a href="/acts/16-35.htm">and they are delivered.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>One day as we were going to the place of prayer This phrase indicates a specific time and routine in the lives of Paul and his companions. The "place of prayer" likely refers to a location outside the city gates by a river, as mentioned earlier in <a href="/acts/16-13.htm">Acts 16:13</a>, where Jewish people and God-fearers gathered for worship and prayer. This setting highlights the importance of prayer in the early Christian community and their commitment to seeking God regularly. It also reflects the missionary strategy of Paul, who often began his ministry in a new city by connecting with the local Jewish community.we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination The encounter with the slave girl introduces a spiritual conflict. The "spirit of divination" is described in the original Greek as a "python spirit," associated with the oracle of Delphi and the god Apollo. This suggests a demonic influence, as the girl was possessed by a spirit that enabled her to predict the future. The presence of such a spirit indicates the spiritual darkness and opposition faced by the early church. The fact that she was a slave highlights her lack of freedom and the exploitation she suffered, both spiritually and economically.who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling This phrase underscores the economic exploitation of the girl by her owners, who profited from her spiritual bondage. The practice of fortune-telling was common in the Greco-Roman world, and people often sought guidance from oracles and seers. The large income suggests that her predictions were highly valued, reflecting the widespread belief in and reliance on such practices. This situation sets the stage for the conflict between the power of God and the forces of darkness, as well as the challenge to societal norms and economic interests that the gospel often brings.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_and_silas.htm">Paul and Silas</a> Key figures in the early Christian church, missionaries spreading the Gospel. 2. <a href="/topical/s/slave_girl.htm">Slave Girl</a> A young woman possessed by a spirit of divination, used by her masters for profit. 3. <a href="/topical/s/spirit_of_divination.htm">Spirit of Divination</a> The Greek term used here is (pneuma Pyth?na), referring to a spirit associated with the oracle of Delphi, indicating a demonic influence. 4. <a href="/topical/m/masters_of_the_slave_girl.htm">Masters of the Slave Girl</a> Individuals exploiting the girl's condition for financial gain. 5. <a href="/topical/p/place_of_prayer.htm">Place of Prayer</a> A location where Paul and his companions regularly went to pray, likely a gathering place for believers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_spiritual_matters.htm">Discernment in Spiritual Matters</a> Christians must be aware of spiritual influences and discern between what is of God and what is not. The presence of a spirit of divination highlights the reality of spiritual warfare. <a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_human_life_over_profit.htm">The Value of Human Life Over Profit</a> The exploitation of the slave girl for financial gain serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that human life and dignity should never be sacrificed for material wealth. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_the_gospel.htm">The Power of the Gospel</a> The encounter with the slave girl sets the stage for demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel, which liberates individuals from spiritual bondage. <a href="/topical/p/prayer_as_a_priority.htm">Prayer as a Priority</a> The regular practice of going to a place of prayer underscores the importance of prayer in the life of believers, serving as a source of strength and guidance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 16</a> <a href="/q/is_it_credible_the_fortune_teller_knew_paul.htm">In Acts 16:16–18, how credible is it that an allegedly demon-possessed fortune teller instantly recognizes and announces Paul and Silas’s divine mission?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_the_spirit_of_python.htm">What defines the spirit of Python?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_persistence_achieve_justice.htm">What defines the spirit of Python?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_odu_ifa.htm">What is the meaning of Odu Ifa?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) As we went to prayer.--Better, perhaps, to the oratory, or place of prayer. (See Note on <a href="/acts/16-13.htm" title="And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spoke to the women which resorted thither.">Acts 16:13</a>.) It should be stated, however, that the Greek noun is used without the article, and that this is so far in favour of the Received rendering. On the other hand, we find the noun ecclesia, or church, used without the article in <a href="/1_corinthians/14-4.htm" title="He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church.">1Corinthians 14:4</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/14-19.htm" title="Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.">1Corinthians 14:19</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/14-35.htm" title="And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.">1Corinthians 14:35</a>; <a href="/3_john/1-6.htm" title="Which have borne witness of your charity before the church: whom if you bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, you shall do well:">3John 1:6</a>, and it is, therefore, probable that proseucha might be used in the same way, just as we speak of "going to church, or to chapel," without the article. This was probably on the following Sabbath, or possibly after a longer interval, when the mission of the Apostles had become known, and had caused some excitement.A certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination.--Literally, as in the margin, a spirit of Python, or, as some MSS. give it, a Python spirit. The Python was the serpent worshipped at Delphi, as the symbol of wisdom, from whom the Pythian priestesses took their name, and from whom Apollo, as succeeding to the oracular power of the serpent, took the same adjective. The fact that St. Luke, who in his Gospel describes like phenomena as coming from daemonia, "evil spirits," "unclean spirits," should here use this exceptional description, seems to imply either that this was the way in which the people of Philippi spoke of the maiden, or else that he recognised in her phenomena identical with those of the priestesses of Delphi, the wild distortions, the shrill cries, the madness of an evil inspiration. After the manner of sibyls, and sorceresses, and clairvoyants of other times, the girl, whom Augustine describes as faemina ventriloqua--the phrase probably-expressing the peculiar tones characteristic of hysteria--was looked on as having power to divine and predict ("soothsaying," as distinct from "prophesying," exactly expresses the force of the Greek verb), and her wild cries were caught up and received as oracles. Plutarch (de Defect. Orac., p. 737) speaks of the name Python as being applied commonly, in his time, to "ventriloquists" of this type. As she was a slave, her masters traded on her supposed inspiration, and made the girl, whom prayer and quiet might have restored to sanity, give answers to those who sought for oracular guidance in the perplexities of their lives. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - Were going to the place of prayer for went to prayer, A.V. and T.R.; that a certain maid for a certain damsel, A.V.; having for possessed with, A.V. The place of prayer. The ἡ προσευχή of the R.T. undoubtedly means "the place of prayer," the proseuche. They went there, doubtless, every sabbath. What follows happened on one occasion after Lydia's baptism. A spirit of divination (πνεῦμα Πύθωνος, A.V.; Πύθωνα, R.T.). "Πύθων denotat quemlibet ex quo πύθωσθαι datur," "any one of whom inquiry may be made" (Bengel). It was a name of Apollo in his character of a giver of oracles. Delphi itself, where his chief oracle was, was sometimes called Pytho (Schleusner, s.v.), and Pythius was a common epithet of Apollo. The name Python (Plut.,' De Defect. Orac.,' cap. 9) came thence to be applied to a ventriloquist (Hebrew אוב), or to the spirit that was conceived to dwell in ventriloquists and to speak by them, just as in Hebrew the ventriloquist was sometimes called בְעַל אוב (or בַעֻלַת if a woman), the owner of a spirit of divination, or simply אוב, a diviner (see <a href="/1_samuel/28-7.htm">1 Samuel 28:7</a> (twice) for the first use, and <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Leviticus 20:27</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Deuteronomy 18:11</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3</a>; for the second). In some passages, as 1 Kings 28:6 and <a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm">Isaiah 29:4</a>, it is doubtful whether אוב means the ventriloquist or the spirit. The feminine plural אובות (<a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Leviticus 19:31</a>; <a href="/leviticus/20-6.htm">Leviticus 20:6</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/28-3.htm">1 Samuel 28:3, 9</a>; <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19</a>) seems always to denote the women, who, like the damsel in the text, practiced the art of ventriloquistic necromancy, whether really possessed by a spirit or feigning to be so. The word πύθων is only found here in the New Testament. The LXX. usually render אובות by ἐγγαστρίμυθος. Gain (ἐργασία), literally, work, craft, or trade; then, by metonymy, the gain proceeding from such trade (<a href="/acts/19-24.htm">Acts 19:24, 25</a>). By soothsaying (μαντευομένη). So one name of these ventriloquists was ἐγγαστρίμαντις. <a href="/commentaries/acts/16-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>One day δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. as we ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. were going πορευομένων (poreuomenōn) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4198.htm">Strong's 4198: </a> To travel, journey, go, die. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. [place of] prayer, προσευχὴν (proseuchēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4335.htm">Strong's 4335: </a> From proseuchomai; prayer; by implication, an oratory. we ἡμῖν (hēmin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. were met by ὑπαντῆσαι (hypantēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> To meet, go to meet. From hupo and a derivative of anti; to go opposite under, i.e. To encounter, fall in with. a τινὰ (tina) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. slave girl παιδίσκην (paidiskēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3814.htm">Strong's 3814: </a> A female slave, maidservant, maid, young girl. Feminine diminutive of pais; a girl, i.e., a female slave or servant. with ἔχουσαν (echousan) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. a spirit πνεῦμα (pneuma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. of clairvoyance, Πύθωνα (Pythōna) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4436.htm">Strong's 4436: </a> From Putho; a Python, i.e. inspiration. who ἥτις (hētis) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3748.htm">Strong's 3748: </a> Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever. earned παρεῖχεν (pareichen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3930.htm">Strong's 3930: </a> From para and echo; to hold near, i.e. Present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion. a large πολλὴν (pollēn) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4183.htm">Strong's 4183: </a> Much, many; often. income ἐργασίαν (ergasian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2039.htm">Strong's 2039: </a> From ergates; occupation; by implication, profit, pains. for her αὐτῆς (autēs) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. masters κυρίοις (kyriois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. by fortune-telling. μαντευομένη (manteuomenē) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3132.htm">Strong's 3132: </a> From a derivative of mainomai; to divine, i.e. Utter spells <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/16-16.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 16:16 It happened as we were going (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/16-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 16:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 16:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/16-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 16:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 16:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>