Lexical Summary kashaph: To practice sorcery, to use witchcraft Original Word: כָּשַׁף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sorcerer, use witchcraft A primitive root; properly, to whisper a spell, i.e. To inchant or practise magic -- sorcerer, (use) witch(-craft). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from kesheph Definition to practice sorcery NASB Translation practiced sorcery (1), sorcerer (1), sorcerers (3), sorceress (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs כִּשֵּׁף verb Pi`el denominative practice sorcery (Assyrian kašâpu, id.); — Perfect3masculine singular: וְעוֺנֵן וְנִחֵשׁ וְכִשֵּׁף וְעָשָׂה אוֺב וְיִדְּעוֺנִ֑י2Chronicles 33:6 (of Manasseh); elsewhere only Participle as substantive masculine singular sorcerer, in Israel, מְכַשֵּׁף Deuteronomy 18:10 (following קֹסֵם קְסָמִים מְעוֺנֵן וּמְנַחֵשׁ); feminine singular מְכַשֵּׁפָה = sorceress Exodus 22:17 (E); masculine plural מְכַשְּׁפִים Malachi 3:5 (named with adulterers and falseswearers); of diviners, or astrologers in Egypt (חַרְטֻמִּים q. v.) Exodus 7:11 (P; "" חֲכָמִים); in Babylon Daniel 2:2 (+ חַרְטֻמִּים, אַשָּׁפִים, כַּשְׂדִּים). Topical Lexicon Concept and Scope כָּשַׁף denotes the practice of manipulating spiritual powers through occult rituals, incantations, and secret arts. In Scripture it is never presented as morally neutral; it is a hostile counterfeit to divine revelation that seeks knowledge or power apart from the covenant LORD. Biblical Distribution The root appears six times, strategically placed at decisive moments in Israel’s history: • Exodus 7:11 – Egypt’s court magicians oppose Moses. Sorcery in the Ancient Near East Ancient texts from Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Canaan reveal vast corpora of spells, amulets, and priestly guilds devoted to magic. These practices sought to coerce or placate deities, heal disease, or harm enemies. Israel’s neighbors considered sorcery a respected science; Scripture, by contrast, treats it as rebellion against the sovereign Creator. The Exodus Confrontation “Then Pharaoh also summoned the wise men and sorcerers, and the magicians of Egypt, by their secret arts, did the same things” (Exodus 7:11). The first contest in the plagues narrative establishes sorcery as a counterfeit power quickly eclipsed by Yahweh’s supremacy. The episode illustrates that miraculous signs alone cannot authenticate God’s messengers; true authority rests on the source, not merely the spectacle. Covenantal Prohibitions “You must not allow a sorceress to live” (Exodus 22:18). The severity of the sanction underscores covenant purity. Deuteronomy 18:10 embeds the ban within a litany of pagan abominations, contrasting them with the prophetic office (Deuteronomy 18:15). God’s people are to receive guidance through inspired proclamation, not occult manipulation. Royal Apostasy and National Decline Manasseh “practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists” (2 Chronicles 33:6). His reign epitomizes political leadership that substitutes pagan techniques for reliance on the LORD. The Chronicler draws a straight line from such practices to divine wrath and subsequent exile, instructing later generations to avoid repeated folly. Wisdom Literature Contrast In Daniel 2:2 the Babylonian “magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans” confront a dream that only the God of Heaven can reveal. The narrative elevates revelatory wisdom above occult expertise, affirming the exclusivity of divine disclosure. Prophetic Exposure and Eschatological Judgment “I will be swift to testify against sorcerers” (Malachi 3:5). Post-exilic Israel still battled hidden occultism. The prophet links sorcery with social injustices, suggesting a common root of covenant infidelity. The coming Messenger of the covenant (Malachi 3:1) will purge both priesthood and populace. Theological Significance 1. Exclusive Lordship: Sorcery rejects the sufficiency of God’s word and seeks autonomy. Practical Ministry Implications • Pastoral care must address occult backgrounds with clear teaching on Christ’s supremacy and the need for repentance. Christological Fulfillment and New Testament Continuity The cross disarms “the rulers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15), rendering occult powers ultimately impotent. Simon Magus’s confrontation with Peter (Acts 8) and the condemnation of “pharmakoi” in Revelation confirm that the prohibition transcends covenants. Believers now participate in Christ’s victory, awaiting the day when all sorcerers unrepentant will face the Judge who declares, “Outside are the dogs and sorcerers” (Revelation 22:15). In every era כָּשַׁף represents humanity’s attempt to seize control of the unseen realm; Scripture counters with the call to submit to the One true Sovereign whose word is sufficient and whose power is unrivaled. Forms and Transliterations בַּֽמְכַשְּׁפִים֙ במכשפים וְֽכִשֵּׁ֔ף וְלַֽמְכַשְּׁפִ֑ים וְלַֽמְכַשְּׁפִים֙ וּמְכַשֵּֽׁף׃ וכשף ולמכשפים ומכשף׃ מְכַשֵּׁפָ֖ה מכשפה bam·ḵaš·šə·p̄îm bamchashsheFim bamḵaššəp̄îm mə·ḵaš·šê·p̄āh mechashsheFah məḵaššêp̄āh ū·mə·ḵaš·šêp̄ umechashShef ūməḵaššêp̄ vechishShef velamchashsheFim wə·ḵiš·šêp̄ wə·lam·ḵaš·šə·p̄îm wəḵiššêp̄ wəlamḵaššəp̄îmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 7:11 HEB: פַּרְעֹ֔ה לַֽחֲכָמִ֖ים וְלַֽמְכַשְּׁפִ֑ים וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֨וּ גַם־ NAS: for [the] wise men and [the] sorcerers, and they also, KJV: the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians INT: Pharaoh for wise and sorcerers did also Exodus 22:18 Deuteronomy 18:10 2 Chronicles 33:6 Daniel 2:2 Malachi 3:5 6 Occurrences |
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