Jannes
TextsWhat is the meaning of Jannes in the Bible?
Jannes is a name attributed to the unnamed Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses, appearing in the New Testament epistle of 2 Timothy and later Jewish traditions such as the Talmud and the Testament of Moses.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Jannes helps readers understand how early Christian writers utilized existing Jewish legends to frame the conflict between apostolic authority and false teachers as a repetition of the Exodus confrontation.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Jannes functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Jannes in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Jannes 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
"Jannes." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/jannes/