Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terms, a sorcerer is an individual who practices sorcery, which involves the use of supernatural powers or magic, often through the assistance of evil spirits or demonic forces. The Bible consistently condemns sorcery and those who engage in it, viewing it as an abomination and a direct challenge to the sovereignty and holiness of God.Old Testament References The Old Testament contains several references to sorcery and sorcerers, often in the context of prohibitions against such practices. In the Law of Moses, sorcery is explicitly forbidden. 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 narrative of the Exodus also highlights the confrontation between the power of God and the sorcerers of Egypt. In Exodus 7:11-12 , Pharaoh's magicians and sorcerers attempt to replicate the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron: "Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same things by their magic arts. Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs." New Testament References In the New Testament, sorcery is similarly condemned. The Book of Acts provides a notable account of a sorcerer named Simon. Acts 8:9-11 describes him: "Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. All the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, 'This man is the divine power called the Great Power.' They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery." However, upon encountering the apostles, Simon's sorcery is revealed as inferior to the true power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:18-20 recounts Simon's attempt to buy the power of the Holy Spirit: "When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. 'Give me this power as well,' he said, 'so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.' But Peter replied, 'May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!'" The Apostle Paul also encounters a sorcerer named Elymas in Acts 13:8-11 , who opposes the spread of the Gospel: "But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas and said, 'You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right. You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.' Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand." Theological Implications The practice of sorcery is consistently portrayed in Scripture as a rebellion against God. It is associated with idolatry, falsehood, and the manipulation of spiritual forces for personal gain or power. Sorcery is listed among the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 , which warns that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." The biblical stance against sorcery underscores the importance of relying solely on God and His power, rather than seeking supernatural experiences or knowledge through illicit means. The Bible calls believers to trust in God's wisdom and guidance, rejecting any form of occult practice that seeks to usurp His authority. Smith's Bible Dictionary SorcererATS Bible Dictionary SorcererOne who practised sorcery; nearly synonymous with magician, soothsayer, or wizard. This was a class of persons who dealt in incantations and divinations, and boasted of a power, in consequence of their deep science and by means of certain rites, to evoke the spirits of the dead from their gloomy abodes, and compel them to disclose information on subjects beyond the reach of human powers. They pretended also that, by means of certain herbs and information on subjects beyond the reach of human powers. They pretended also that, by means of certain herbs and incantations, they were able to expel demons, Acts 13:6,8. Those persons also who devoted themselves to the general studies above mentioned, often abused their knowledge and deceived the common people, by pretending to foretell the destinies of men from the motions and appearances of the planets and stars, and to cure diseases by repeating certain phrases, etc. Of this class appears to have been Simon the sorcerer, mentioned in Acts 8:9,11. Females who practised such arts were called sorceresses and witches, Malachi 3:5 Revelation 22:15. See DIVINATION, ENCHANTMENTS, and MAGIC. Easton's Bible Dictionary From the Latin sortiarius, one who casts lots, or one who tells the lot of others. (see DIVINATION.)In Dan. 2:2 it is the rendering of the Hebrew mekhashphim, i.e., mutterers, men who professed to have power with evil spirits. The practice of sorcery exposed to severest punishment (Malachi 3:5; Revelation 21:8; 22:15). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) A conjurer; an enchanter; a magician.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SORCERER; SORCERYSee ASTROLOGY, 1; DIVINATION; MAGIC; WITCHCRAFT. Greek 5333. pharmakos -- a poisoner, sorcerer, magician ... a poisoner, sorcerer, magician. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: pharmakos Phonetic Spelling: (far-mak-os') Short Definition: a magician ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5333.htm - 6k 5332. pharmakeus -- sorcerer. 1114. goes -- a wailer, a sorcerer, a swindler 2387. Iambres -- Jambres, an Eg. sorcerer 2389. Iannes -- Jannes, an Eg. sorcerer 3097. magos -- a Magian, ie an (Oriental) astrologer, by impl. a ... 1681. Elumas -- Elymas, a magician Strong's Hebrew 3786. kashshaph -- sorcerer... 3785, 3786. kashshaph. 3787 . sorcerer. Transliteration: kashshaph Phonetic Spelling: (kash-shawf') Short Definition: sorcerers. ... sorcerer. ... /hebrew/3786.htm - 6k 3784. kashaph -- to practice sorcery 6049. anan -- to practice soothsaying Library Simon the Sorcerer Menander the Sorcerer. System of the Magicians; Incantations of Demons; Secret Magical ... Heralds of the Gospel Acts xiii. 4, 5 Expatriation The Burning ??sculapius; Tricks with Fire. To the Regions Beyond The Teaching of Simon Cephas in the City of Rome. Consummation of Thomas the Apostle. Thesaurus Sorcerer (3 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SORCERER; SORCERY. See ASTROLOGY, 1; DIVINATION; MAGIC; WITCHCRAFT. Multi-Version Concordance Sorcerer (3 Occurrences). ... /s/sorcerer.htm - 8k Barjesus (1 Occurrence) Bar-jesus (1 Occurrence) Enchanter (5 Occurrences) Elymas (2 Occurrences) Sorcery (10 Occurrences) Magician (5 Occurrences) Witch (2 Occurrences) Magic (12 Occurrences) Soothsayer (4 Occurrences) Resources Who was Simon the Sorcerer? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Bar-Jesus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about white magic? | GotQuestions.org Sorcerer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Sorcerer (3 Occurrences)Acts 13:6 Acts 13:8 Deuteronomy 18:10 Subtopics Related Terms |
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