Lexical Summary qesem: Divination, witchcraft, soothsaying Original Word: קֶסֶם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance divination, divine sentence, witchcraft From qacam; a lot: also divination (including its fee), oracle -- (reward of) divination, divine sentence, witchcraft. see HEBREW qacam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition divination NASB Translation divination (10), divine decision (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קֶ֫סֶם noun [masculine] divination; — absolute ׳ק Numbers 23:25+, קָ֑סֶם Ezekiel 21:26; construct קֶסֶם Ezekiel 13:6; plural קְסְמִים Deuteronomy 18:10 +; — 1 of the nations : Balaam, Numbers 23:23 (poem in J E; "" נַחַשׁ; with ב against; as accusative of congnate meaning with verb ׳לִקְאָםקֿ Ezekiel 21:26; ׳ק as instrument of divination בִּימִינוֺ Ezekiel 21:27; so of elders of Moab and Midian, קְסָמִים בְּיָדָם, Numbers 22:7(E). — Isaiah 2:6 see [קָסַם]. 2 of false prophets כָּזָב ׳ק Ezekiel 13:6 (but see [קָסַם]); ׳ק as accusative of congnate meaning with verb Ezekiel 13:23 (Co Berthol Krae כָּזָב as Ezekiel 13:9; Ezekiel 21:34; Ezekiel 22:38); צֱלִיל ׳ק (so Gf for ᵑ0 וֶאֱלִו֯ל Jeremiah 14:4 (all "" חזה שׁוא or שׁקר) קֹסֵם קְסָמִים); prohibited Deuteronomy 18:10; 2 Kings 17:17; reprobated 1 Samuel 15:23 (poem; "" תרפים). 3 in good sense עַל שִׂפְתֵי ׳ק מֶלֶךְ Proverbs 16:10 (king's lips as oracle). Topical Lexicon Nature and Scope In Scripture the term denotes the attempt to gain supernatural knowledge or power apart from the revealed will of God. It embraces methods ranging from consulting spirits, interpreting omens, casting lots in a pagan fashion, to employing objects or rituals that promise hidden insight. Whenever this practice appears, it represents a counterfeit to genuine prophecy and revelation, undermining the exclusive authority of the Lord’s word. Occurrences in the Pentateuch Numbers 22:7 records the elders of Moab and Midian bringing “the fee for divination” to Balaam, exposing the commercial side of the practice in the ancient Near East. The same narrative concludes, “No curse or divination may prevail against Jacob” (Numbers 23:23), demonstrating God’s sovereign ability to overrule occult intentions against His covenant people. Deuteronomy 18:10 forbids Israel to tolerate “one who practices divination,” placing it among the abominations that defile the nations. The prohibition is immediately followed by the promise of a true Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15-19), underscoring that divine guidance is to be sought only through God-appointed channels. Early Monarchy: Saul and Samuel When Saul spared Agag and the Amalekite spoil, Samuel declared, “For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23). The verse does more than condemn occultism; it equates any deliberate disobedience with the same spiritual treachery, thereby broadening the moral application of the word beyond ritual witchcraft to the very posture of the heart. Royal Abuse and National Apostasy 2 Kings 17:17 lists divination among the sins that led to the fall of the Northern Kingdom: “They practiced divination and sorcery… So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from His presence.” The text illustrates how the practice became embedded in national policy, precipitating covenant judgment. Wisdom Literature Perspective Proverbs 16:10 strikes a seemingly positive chord: “A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.” Here the term is applied metaphorically to the royal judicial decision, not to occult procedure. The proverb teaches that when a king renders judgment in harmony with God’s standard, the authority of his pronouncement carries the weight of divine revelation—an authority that must be safeguarded from injustice. The verse therefore reinforces the principle that true “divination” (i.e., definitive word) belongs only to God and those He authorizes. Prophetic Denunciation of False Prophets Jeremiah 14:14 exposes impostors who “prophesy to you a false vision, worthless divination,” while Ezekiel repeatedly unmasks similar frauds: Contrast with True Prophetic Revelation Throughout the Old Testament, divination is juxtaposed with prophecy: humanly-contrived manipulation versus divinely-initiated disclosure. While occult practices seek secret knowledge through manipulation of spiritual forces, biblical prophecy arises from relationship and obedience to the living God who freely speaks to His servants (Amos 3:7). The contrast underscores the sufficiency and clarity of Scripture, which renders divination both unnecessary and sinful. Theological and Ministry Application 1. Exclusivity of Divine Revelation: God alone determines how He is to be approached and how His guidance is received. Any alternative source—a horoscope, Tarot, Ouija, or modern equivalents—denies His sovereignty. Summary The eleven occurrences of the term trace a consistent biblical trajectory: divination is an illicit attempt to access the supernatural, condemned by the Law, rejected by the prophets, and contrasted with the authoritative word of God. One metaphorical use in Proverbs highlights that genuine, just verdicts ultimately belong to God. Contemporary ministry must echo this testimony, calling people from occult intrigue to the sure and saving revelation of God in Scripture and in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations הַקֶּ֣סֶם הקסם וְקֶ֖סֶם וְקֶ֣סֶם וְקֶ֤סֶם וּקְסָמִ֖ים וקסם וקסמים קְסָמִ֖ים קֶ֖סֶם קֶ֙סֶם֙ קֶ֤סֶם ׀ קָ֑סֶם קֹסֵ֣ם קסם קסמים hakKesem haq·qe·sem haqqesem Kasem kesaMim Kesem koSem qā·sem qāsem qə·sā·mîm qe·sem qəsāmîm qesem qō·sêm qōsêm ū·qə·sā·mîm ukesaMim ūqəsāmîm veKesem wə·qe·sem wəqesemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 22:7 HEB: וְזִקְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֔ן וּקְסָמִ֖ים בְּיָדָ֑ם וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ NAS: departed with the [fees for] divination in their hand; KJV: departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; INT: and the elders of Midian divination their hand came Numbers 23:23 Deuteronomy 18:10 1 Samuel 15:23 2 Kings 17:17 Proverbs 16:10 Jeremiah 14:14 Ezekiel 13:6 Ezekiel 13:23 Ezekiel 21:21 Ezekiel 21:22 11 Occurrences |
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