Definition and Role in Ancient Context:
Enchanters, in the biblical context, refer to individuals who practice enchantment, a form of divination or sorcery. These individuals were believed to possess the ability to manipulate spiritual forces or use incantations to produce supernatural effects. Enchanters often claimed to have special knowledge or power to predict the future, influence events, or control spirits.

Biblical References:
The Bible frequently condemns the practice of enchantment and those who engage in it. Enchanters are often grouped with other practitioners of forbidden arts, such as sorcerers, diviners, and necromancers. The practice of enchantment is seen as an abomination to the Lord and is strictly prohibited among the Israelites.

In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Lord commands: "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."

Historical Context:
In the ancient Near East, enchantment was a common practice among various cultures. Enchanters were often consulted by kings and leaders for guidance and decision-making. They were believed to have the power to bless or curse, heal or harm, and were often associated with religious rituals and ceremonies.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the practice of enchantment is seen as a direct challenge to the sovereignty and authority of God. It represents a reliance on human or demonic power rather than trust in the Lord. The Bible emphasizes that true wisdom and guidance come from God alone, and His people are to seek Him for direction and understanding.

In Isaiah 8:19 , the prophet warns: "When men tell you to consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, should not a people consult their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?"

Moral and Ethical Considerations:
The prohibition against enchanters underscores the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and fidelity to God. Engaging in enchantment is seen as a form of idolatry, as it involves seeking power and knowledge apart from God. The Bible calls believers to reject such practices and to rely solely on God's Word and His Spirit for guidance.

New Testament Perspective:
In the New Testament, the practice of enchantment is similarly condemned. Acts 19:19 describes the response of new believers in Ephesus who, upon converting to Christianity, renounced their former practices: "And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand drachmas."

This act of repentance highlights the transformative power of the Gospel and the rejection of former ways that are contrary to the teachings of Christ.

Conclusion:
While the Bible acknowledges the existence of enchanters and their practices, it consistently warns against and condemns such activities. Believers are called to trust in the Lord and seek His wisdom, rejecting any form of enchantment or divination that detracts from the worship and reverence due to God alone.

Belshazzar's Feast
... smote one against another. The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters,
the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spake and ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii belshazzars feast.htm

That Astrology, Soothsaying, and Similar Arts are the Invention of ...
... But the magicians, and those whom the people truly call enchanters, [335] when they
practice their detestable arts, call upon them by their true names, those ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvii that astrology soothsaying and.htm

Philippians ii. 4-Jan
... forsaken the field, when he was on the point of carrying off everything from them,
and of appearing wiser than the astrologers, the enchanters, the magicians ...
/.../homily v philippians ii 4-jan.htm

Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... And in likewise did the enchanters with their witchcraft, and the heart of Pharaoh
was so indurate that he would not let the people depart as our Lord had ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here next followeth the history.htm

The Seven Champions of Christendom
... These rove about Europe and beyond, slaying Enchanters, Dragons, and other nuisances,
accompanied by their Squires, who, although they put on weight and become ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/title page.htm

Professions of Some Kinds Allied to Idolatry. Of Astrology in ...
... After the Gospel, you will nowhere find either sophists, Chaldeans, enchanters,
diviners, or magicians, except as clearly punished. ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter ix professions of some kinds.htm

The Dream of the Tree Cut Down
... Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers:
and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vi the dream of the.htm

Manasseh's Sin and Repentance
... Baal, Moloch, 'the host of heaven,' wizards, enchanters, anybody who pretended to
have any sort of black art, all were welcome, and the more the better. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/manassehs sin and repentance.htm

Why the Pharisees Asked a Sign from Heaven.
... And as the enchanters and magicians of the Egyptians, as being inferior to the man
of sin and the son of perdition, imitated certain powers, both the signs and ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/2 why the pharisees asked.htm

That Constantine Prepared Himself for the War by Prayer: Licinius ...
... On the other hand, he gathered round himself Egyptian diviners and soothsayers,
with sorcerers and enchanters, and the priests and prophets of those whom he ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter iv that constantine prepared himself.htm

Enchanters (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Enchanters (9 Occurrences). Psalms 58:5 Which doth not
hearken to the voice of enchanters, of one charming ever so wisely. (DBY). ...
/e/enchanters.htm - 9k

Conjurers (7 Occurrences)
... matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them,
he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were ...
/c/conjurers.htm - 8k

Magicians (16 Occurrences)
... matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them,
he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were ...
/m/magicians.htm - 12k

Diviners (14 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered before the king, and said, The secret which the king
has demanded can neither wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor soothsayers ...
/d/diviners.htm - 11k

Soothsayers (16 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered before the king, and said, The secret which the king
has demanded can neither wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor soothsayers ...
/s/soothsayers.htm - 12k

Enchantment (4 Occurrences)
... which will not be charmed"; Psalm 58:4, 5, "the voice of charmers (the Revised Version,
margin "enchanters"), charming never so wisely." Ophiomancy, the art of ...
/e/enchantment.htm - 16k

Enchanter (5 Occurrences)
... YLT). Psalms 58:5 Which doth not hearken to the voice of enchanters, of
one charming ever so wisely. (Root in DBY RSV NIV). Isaiah ...
/e/enchanter.htm - 8k

Explain (30 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered before the king, and said, The secret which the king
has demanded can neither wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor soothsayers ...
/e/explain.htm - 15k

Inscription (18 Occurrences)
... See RSV NIV). Daniel 5:7 The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters,
the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and ...
/i/inscription.htm - 12k

Chalde'ans (74 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Daniel 2:2 and the king saith to call for scribes, and for enchanters,
and for sorcerers, and for Chaldeans, to declare to the king his dreams. ...
/c/chalde'ans.htm - 29k

Summary of the Book of Daniel - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Who was Daniel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Belshazzar? | GotQuestions.org

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