Diana; Artemis
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Diana; Artemis in the Bible?
Diana, identified with the Greek Artemis, was a deity of Asiatic origin worshipped as a mother goddess, with her primary cult center located at the temple in Ephesus, where she was represented in various forms and names across different regions.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the syncretism between the Greek Artemis and the Asiatic Diana clarifies the religious context of Acts 19, where the worship of the Ephesian goddess challenged the spread of early Christianity.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Diana; Artemis. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Diana; Artemis in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Diana; Artemis clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Diana; Artemis." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/diana-artemis/