Pharisee

pronunciation

How to pronounce Pharisee in British English: UK [ˈfærɪsiː]word uk audio image

How to pronounce Pharisee in American English: US [ ˈfærɪsiː] word us audio image

  • Noun:
    a self-righteous or sanctimonious person

Word Origin

Pharisee (n.)
from Old English Fariseos, Old French pharise (13c.), and directly from Late Latin Pharisæus, from Greek Pharisaios, from Aramaic perishayya, emphatic plural of perish "separated, separatist," corresponding to Hebrew parush, from parash "he separated." Ancient Jewish sect (2c. B.C.E.-1c. C.E.) distinguished by strict observance but regarded as pretentious and self-righteous, at least by Jesus (Matt. xxiii:27). Meaning "self-righteous person, formalist, hypocrite" is attested from 1580s.

Example

1. What did the pharisee and guests know about jesus ?
2. Why did the pharisee doubt jesus was a prophet ?
3. When jesus had finished speaking , a pharisee invited him to eat with him ; so he went in and reclined at the table .
4. Are you really a christian or a pharisee ?
5. Why did jesus choose a pharisee and a tax collector for his story ?

more: >How to Use "Pharisee" with Example Sentences