PYTHON (πύθων, G4780, spirit [πνεῦμα, G4460] of divination in Acts 16:16). The giant mythical serpent later named Python first appeared in Hymns of Homer III. 300ff. It was said to have been produced from the mud left after the deluge of Deucalion and to live in caves of Mt. Parnassus. It was killed by Apollo, who then received the surname Pythius. In Hel. belief, the Python was a spirit of divination that possessed certain persons and made them prophesy, unconsciously and usually with the mouth closed. The chief oracle was at Delphi, which stressed the idea of Apollo as a god of prophecy. This has no connection with the genus of giant snakes to which this Gr. name is given, and it is interesting that in Dahomey, in W Africa, the python-deity is regarded as the god of wisdom and earthly bliss.