Python

Python occurs in the margin of Ac 16:16, a spirit of Python, where the text of the A. V. reads a spirit of divination. The word Python (Πύθων in Greek mythology) is the name of a serpent, or dragon slain by Apollo, then transferred to Apollo himself; in later times used for diviners, soothsayers, held to be inspired of the Pythian Apollo (Plutarch, De Delect.; Orac. c. q.). The Pythones, like the obolth, "familiar spirits," among the idolatrous Hebrews (Le 19:31; 1Sa 28:3,7-9), were called ventriloquists because the god or spirit was supposed to be in them, and to speak from their bellies without any motion of the lips. SEE NECROMANCY.

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.