Bible Encyclopedias
Python

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

occurs in the margin of Acts 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 (Leviticus 19:31; 1 Samuel 28:3; 1 Samuel 28:7-9), 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).

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Python'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​p/python.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.