⚡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
In Acts 28:4, the Maltese locals use the Greek word 'dikē' to describe the viper that bit Paul, interpreting the attack as divine justice or vengeance against him for his alleged crimes.
What is the meaning of Dike in the Bible?
In Acts 28:4, the Maltese locals use the Greek word 'dikē' to describe the viper that bit Paul, interpreting the attack as divine justice or vengeance against him for his alleged crimes.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing that 'dikē' refers to the abstract concept of justice rather than a personified deity clarifies the Maltese worldview, showing they believed in immediate, impersonal divine retribution rather than worshiping a specific goddess of vengeance.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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- What cultural or historical assumption does Dike clarify?
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.