Topical Encyclopedia A conjurer, in biblical terms, refers to an individual who practices conjuring, which involves invoking spirits or performing acts of magic, often through the use of spells or incantations. The practice of conjuring is closely associated with divination, sorcery, and necromancy, all of which are explicitly condemned in the Bible. The role of a conjurer is often linked to attempts to gain forbidden knowledge or power through supernatural means, which stands in opposition to the reliance on God and His divine revelation.Biblical Condemnation of Conjuring The Bible consistently warns against the practice of conjuring and other forms of occultism. In the Old Testament, the Israelites are instructed to avoid such practices as they enter the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 states: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you." The prohibition against conjuring is part of a broader command to avoid all forms of idolatry and pagan practices. The Israelites are called to be holy and set apart, relying solely on God for guidance and wisdom. The practice of conjuring is seen as a direct challenge to God's authority and a violation of the first commandment, which calls for exclusive worship of the one true God. Historical Context and Examples In the ancient Near East, conjurers were often associated with the royal courts and religious practices of pagan nations. They were believed to possess the ability to communicate with the spiritual realm and manipulate supernatural forces. The Bible provides several examples of individuals who engaged in such practices, often with dire consequences. One notable example is the account of King Saul and the medium of Endor. In 1 Samuel 28, Saul, desperate for guidance before a battle with the Philistines, seeks out a woman who is a medium to conjure the spirit of the prophet Samuel. Despite having previously expelled mediums and spiritists from the land, Saul's actions demonstrate his departure from trusting in God. The conjuring of Samuel's spirit results in a prophecy of Saul's impending defeat and death, highlighting the futility and danger of seeking guidance through forbidden means. New Testament Perspective The New Testament continues to affirm the rejection of conjuring and similar practices. In Acts 8, Simon the Sorcerer, also known as Simon Magus, attempts to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles. Peter rebukes him, saying, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" (Acts 8:20). This incident underscores the incompatibility of magic and the genuine work of the Holy Spirit. Additionally, in Acts 19, the account of the sons of Sceva illustrates the dangers of attempting to use the name of Jesus as a magical incantation. These Jewish exorcists attempt to cast out evil spirits by invoking the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, but are overpowered by the possessed man. This event leads many in Ephesus to renounce their magical practices and burn their scrolls, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel and the rejection of conjuring. Theological Implications From a theological standpoint, the practice of conjuring is seen as a rejection of God's sovereignty and a reliance on human or demonic power. It represents a desire to control or manipulate the spiritual realm, which is contrary to the biblical call to trust in God's providence and submit to His will. The Bible's condemnation of conjuring serves as a warning to believers to avoid all forms of occultism and to seek wisdom and guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit. In summary, the role of a conjurer in biblical literature is consistently portrayed in a negative light, as it involves practices that are contrary to the worship and reliance on God. The Bible's clear stance against conjuring serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the dangers of seeking power or knowledge apart from Him. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) One who conjures; one who calls, entreats, or charges in a solemn manner.2. (n.) One who practices magic arts; one who pretends to act by the aid super natural power; also, one who performs feats of legerdemain or sleight of hand. 3. (n.) One who conjectures shrewdly or judges wisely; a man of sagacity. Greek 1114. goes -- a wailer, a sorcerer, a swindler ... a sorcerer, a swindler. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: goes Phonetic Spelling: (go'-ace) Short Definition: a conjurer, deceiver, imposter ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1114.htm - 7k 1845. exorkistes -- an exorcist Strong's Hebrew 826. ashaph -- a conjurer, enchanter... 825, 826. ashaph. 827 . a conjurer, enchanter. Transliteration: ashaph Phonetic Spelling: (ash-shawf') Short Definition: conjurers. ... /hebrew/826.htm - 6k 825. ashshaph -- a conjurer, necromancer 3049. yiddeoni -- familiar spirit Library Christ Truly Lived and Died in Human Flesh Incidents of his Human ... It is the Same in the Case of Girls. ... Acts XIX Homilies on the Statues. Naasseni Ascribe their System, through Mariamne, to James the ... A Soul's Tragedy Book iii. A Wise Minister Will be Successful. Of Baptism. Striking Similes Thesaurus Conjurer (1 Occurrence)... 3. (n.) One who conjectures shrewdly or judges wisely; a man of sagacity. Multi-Version Concordance Conjurer (1 Occurrence). Daniel ... /c/conjurer.htm - 7k Conjure (2 Occurrences) Conjurers (7 Occurrences) Wizard (3 Occurrences) Exorcist (1 Occurrence) Magician (5 Occurrences) Sorcerer (3 Occurrences) Resources Conjurer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Conjurer (1 Occurrence)Daniel 2:10 Subtopics Related Terms |
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