Translation: NKJV - Pharmakeia as 'Drug-dealing'

 The Greek word pharmakeia has a range of uses in ancient literature:


The New King James Version offers the following footnote at Rev. 9:21:

 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries [fn] or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

footnote:  (9:21) NU-Text and M-Text read drugs.

Clearly the translators are aware of the range of meanings for this word and its cognates.


Nazaroo has previously reported that drug-dealing apparently appears in the Greek NT some five times:

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Drug Dealers In the Bible? Where?

Drug dealing is treated gravely and severely condemned in the New Testament: 5 times.

(Gal.5:20, Rev.9:21, 18:23, 21:8, 22:15, original Greek)

Paul Spoke out against Drug Dealing:

Gal 5:20 "Now the works of the flesh are OBVIOUS: sexual immorality, uncleanness, ... DRUG DEALING ( pharmakeia )...and things like these I am warning you, THOSE WHO DO THEM WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD!"

John also Speaks out against Drugs:

Rev. 9:21 "Nor did they even repent of their murders or their DRUG DEALING (ton pharmakon) or their sexual immorality or their robbery."

Rev 22:15 "OUTSIDE (heaven) are the dogs and the DRUG DEALERS (hoi pharmakoi), and everyone who practises falsehood."

Rev 18:23 Babylon the Great City has fallen...All nations were deceived by your DRUG DEALING (en te pharmakeia)"

Rev 21:8 "But as for the ...DRUG DEALERS (pharmakois) their place will be in the Lake of Fire, which is the Second Death!"

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Others have also dealt with this subject recently, and come to similar conclusions, at least in the allowance of drug-dealing as included in the meaning of NT text:


Pharmakeia I
Pharmakeia II


Sorcery & Drugs


Drugs and Endtimes Prophecy



Pharmakeia I

Pharmakeia II

Sorcery & Drugs

Drugs and Endtimes Prophecy

Drug Dealing and the Bible

The Bible on Alcohol and Drugs

Christians and Drugs

Four Powerful Drugs in the Bible

The Bible, Drugs and Dosages of Intoxication

Herbalists condemn the Drug Industry

Christians and Drugs

Youtube Video Drugs and the Bible 1

Bible.Org on Drugs and Alcohol