Conjurers, often associated with practices of magic and divination, are individuals who claim to have the ability to summon spirits or perform supernatural feats. In the context of the Bible, conjurers are frequently mentioned alongside other practitioners of forbidden arts, such as sorcerers, magicians, and necromancers. The Scriptures consistently portray these practices as contrary to the will of God and warn the Israelites against engaging in them.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains several references to conjurers and similar practitioners. In the book of Exodus, Pharaoh's magicians, who are often considered conjurers, attempt to replicate the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron. "But the magicians of Egypt did the same things by their magic arts" (Exodus 7:11). However, their power is shown to be inferior to that of God, as they are unable to replicate all the plagues.

The Law given to the Israelites explicitly forbids engaging with conjurers and similar practitioners. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , it is written: "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." This passage underscores the seriousness with which God views these practices, associating them with pagan rituals and idolatry.

In the book of Daniel, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar calls upon conjurers to interpret his dreams. "The king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed" (Daniel 2:2). However, it is Daniel, a servant of the Most High God, who is ultimately able to reveal and interpret the king's dream, demonstrating the superiority of divine wisdom over human conjuring.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues to affirm the rejection of conjuring and similar practices. In Acts 8, Simon the Sorcerer, who practiced magic in Samaria, 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 highlights the incompatibility of conjuring with the Christian faith and the free gift of God's grace.

In Acts 19, the Apostle Paul encounters practitioners of magic in Ephesus. As a result of his ministry, many who had practiced magic brought their books and burned them publicly. "When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas" (Acts 19:19). This mass renunciation of conjuring and magic signifies the transformative power of the Gospel and the rejection of practices that are contrary to God's will.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, conjurers and their practices are seen as attempts to usurp divine authority and seek power apart from God. The Bible consistently warns against such practices, emphasizing that true wisdom and power come from God alone. The rejection of conjuring is part of a broader biblical theme that calls for exclusive devotion to the LORD and a rejection of idolatry and false sources of power.

Throughout Scripture, the people of God are called to trust in the LORD and His providence, rather than seeking guidance or power through forbidden means. The consistent biblical condemnation of conjurers serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of turning to practices that lead away from His truth.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
... 824, 825. ashshaph. 826 . a conjurer, necromancer. Transliteration: ashshaph
Phonetic Spelling: (ash-shawf') Short Definition: conjurers. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/825.htm - 6k

Of Detraction.
... They have, if not false, yet imperfect notions of it, and by not knowing how far
its Circle reaches, do often like young Conjurers step beyond the limits of ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section iv of detraction.htm

The Canonical Epistle of St. Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, to St. ...
... If they who run to conjurers or diviners, do it through unbelief, they shall be
treated as they who wilfully lapse, but if through want of sense, and through a ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/vi the canonical epistle of.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... Psalm 145:6-12. When the word of God came among the conjurers and those
soothsayers that you read of, Acts 19. and had prevailed ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ...
... the fire in a place named Ge Benennom; [2705] and he consulted enchanters, and dealt
with wizards and familiar spirits, and with conjurers and observers of ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii how the bishop is.htm

Conjurers (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Conjurers (7 Occurrences). Daniel 1:20 In every
matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the ...
/c/conjurers.htm - 8k

Connected (11 Occurrences)

/c/connected.htm - 9k

Wand (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A small stick; a rod; a verge. 2. (n.) A staff of authority. 3. (n.) A rod
used by conjurers, diviners, magicians, etc. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/w/wand.htm - 6k

Bar-jesus (1 Occurrence)
... however, were the scientists of their day, the heirs of the science of Babylon and
the lore of Persia, and not merely pretenders or conjurers (see MAGIC). ...
/b/bar-jesus.htm - 9k

Barjesus (1 Occurrence)
... however, were the scientists of their day, the heirs of the science of Babylon and
the lore of Persia, and not merely pretenders or conjurers (see MAGIC). ...
/b/barjesus.htm - 9k

Conjurer (1 Occurrence)

/c/conjurer.htm - 7k

Curious (18 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Curious arts. (Acts 19:19), magical arts; jugglery
practised by the Ephesian conjurers. Ephesus was noted ...
/c/curious.htm - 14k

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