Topical Bible: Egypt: Magic Practised In

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Egypt, a prominent nation in biblical history, is frequently associated with the practice of magic and sorcery. The Bible provides several accounts that highlight the prevalence and influence of magic in ancient Egyptian culture, often contrasting it with the power of the God of Israel.

The most notable biblical narrative involving Egyptian magic is found in the account of Moses and Aaron confronting Pharaoh. In Exodus 7:10-12 , Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh, and it became a serpent. Pharaoh then summoned his wise men and sorcerers, and they, too, performed similar feats through their secret arts: "So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD had commanded. Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent. But Pharaoh also summoned the wise men and sorcerers, and they, too, 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."

This passage illustrates the presence of a class of magicians in Egypt who were skilled in the "secret arts," a term often understood to encompass various forms of magic and enchantment. Despite their abilities, the narrative emphasizes the superiority of God's power, as demonstrated by Aaron's staff swallowing the staffs of the Egyptian magicians.

Further evidence of Egyptian magic is seen in the plagues that God brought upon Egypt. The magicians initially replicated some of the plagues, such as turning water into blood and producing frogs (Exodus 7:22, 8:7). However, they were eventually unable to replicate subsequent plagues, acknowledging the "finger of God" in Exodus 8:18-19 : "The magicians tried to produce gnats by their magic arts, but they could not. And the gnats were on man and beast. The magicians said to Pharaoh, 'This is the finger of God.' But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said."

The practice of magic in Egypt is also referenced in the prophetic literature. Isaiah 19:3 speaks of a time when the spirit of the Egyptians would be demoralized, and they would seek guidance from idols, spirits of the dead, mediums, and spiritists: "Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will confound their plans. They will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists."

In the New Testament, Egyptian magic is alluded to in Acts 7:22 , where Stephen, in his speech before the Sanhedrin, mentions that Moses was "educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians." This suggests that Moses was familiar with Egyptian practices, including their magical arts, although he ultimately relied on the power of God.

The biblical portrayal of Egyptian magic serves as a backdrop to demonstrate the supremacy of the God of Israel over the spiritual and magical practices of other nations. The narratives underscore the futility of relying on magic and the ultimate authority of God in all matters.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 7:11,12,22
Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 8:7
And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Saint George Kills the Enchanter Osmond.
... Egypt. Time will not allow a full description of the bloody battle which took place
between the Christians and the Pagans, or of the magic arts practised by ...
/.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter thirteen saint george kills.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... A prince who practised magic would enjoy amongst us nowadays but small esteem: in
Egypt sorcery was not considered incompatible with royalty, and the magicians ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised ...
... on the Sabbath (Sanh.101 a). Egypt was regarded ... In general the black art might be
practised either through ... we reckon, not only incantations, but magic by means ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvi on the jewish.htm

The Fraud of the Foregoing Practices; their Connection with Heresy ...
... It was persons who practised wicked arts, and assumed ... corresponds with Agrippa's
division of magic into (1 ... This originated probably in Egypt, and quickly spread ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xlii the fraud of the.htm

Eusebius: Constantine. General Index.
... Egypt, Arian disturbance in, [3683]515, 5 [3684]20; controversies in, 550 ... Magic,
practised by the persecuting emperors, [3938]489; by Maxentius, [3939]492; by ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/eusebius constantine general index.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... children of the gods, all with their books of magic. ... travelling through my double
land of Egypt and over ... a surgical operation similar to that practised upon a ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Abraham, his trial in Egypt, his humility. ... way to perfection, [46]190; if fully
practised would remove ... Magic, the suspicion of it in miracles obviated, [1082]30 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 5. <. ...
CHAPTER II"THE REACTION AGAINST EGYPT. THE XIth DYNASTY ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

How the Abbot Ceolfrid Sent Master-Builders to the King of the ...
... the Apostles, especially at Rome and in Egypt, as has ... Joseph, who more than other
men practised and taught ... at the first sight of it, together with his magic? ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxi how the abbot.htm

The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch.
... where he triumphed over the arts of magic, and prevailed ... From Egypt some of them
might have passed into ... that mode of applying water which is practised in our ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xi the conversion of.htm