Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Terminology:In biblical terms, a "witch" or "wizard" refers to individuals who practice sorcery, divination, or engage in occult activities. The Hebrew Bible uses several terms to describe such individuals, including "kashaph" (translated as "witch" or "sorcerer") and "yidde'oni" (translated as "wizard" or "medium"). These terms encompass a range of practices that involve seeking knowledge or power through supernatural means, often in opposition to the will of God. Biblical References: The Bible explicitly condemns the practice of witchcraft and sorcery. In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law strictly prohibits these activities. In Exodus 22:18, the command is clear: "You must not allow a sorceress to live" . This reflects the severity with which such practices were viewed in ancient Israelite society. Leviticus 19:31 warns, "Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God" . This verse underscores the belief that engaging with witches or wizards defiles a person and is an affront to God. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 further elaborates on the prohibition: "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 lists various forms of occult practices and labels them as detestable, emphasizing the need for the Israelites to remain separate from such practices. Historical Context: In the ancient Near East, practices associated with witchcraft and wizardry were common among various cultures. These practices often involved attempts to predict the future, manipulate events, or communicate with the dead. The Israelites, however, were called to be distinct from their neighbors and to rely solely on God for guidance and wisdom. The biblical narrative often contrasts the power of God with the impotence of sorcery. For example, in the account of the Exodus, the magicians of Egypt attempt to replicate the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron, but they ultimately fail to match the power of God (Exodus 7:11-12). New Testament Perspective: The New Testament continues the condemnation of sorcery and witchcraft. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists "sorcery" among the works of the flesh, warning that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" . This reinforces the idea that such practices are incompatible with a life devoted to Christ. In Acts 8:9-24, the account of Simon the Sorcerer illustrates the early Christian rejection of sorcery. Simon, who had practiced sorcery 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). Theological Implications: The biblical stance against witchcraft and wizardry is rooted in the belief in the sovereignty and sufficiency of God. Engaging in such practices is seen as a rejection of God's authority and a reliance on powers that are contrary to His will. The Bible consistently calls believers to trust in God alone and to avoid any form of occultism that seeks to usurp His role as the ultimate source of wisdom and power. ATS Bible Dictionary Witch and WizardOur best exposition of these terms as found in the Bible is in the narrative of the witch of Endor. She was widely known as "one that had a familiar spirit" or an attendant demon, and was thereby professedly able to summon departed souls from the spirit world and converse with them. From this it appears that the essential character of witchcraft was a pretended commerce with demons and the spirits of the departed. In this respect it is identical with modern witchcraft and with spiritualism; and all the condemnation pronounced against witchcraft and with spiritualism; and all the condemnation pronounced against witchcraft in the Bible falls equally on these and every similar system of professed commerce with ghosts and demons. To this practice the ancient witches and wizards joined the arts of fortune-telling and divining, and a professed knowledge and control of the secret powers of the elements, heavenly bodies, etc. In order to give color and concealment to their pretended commerce with spirits, they made use of drugs, fumigation's, chemical arts, incantations, and every mysterious device to awe and impose upon a superstitious people. Their unlawful arts were near akin to the others forbidden in De 18:10-11: "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer." It would appear from this catalogue that all forms of superstition were as prevalent in the East in the days of Moses as they now are. Those familiar with the Syria and Arabia of our days inform us that old and young of all sects universally believe in the potency of "the evil eye," of incantations, charms, amulets, serpent-charming, and exorcism; and that these superstitions exert a prodigious influence on oriental life. Even modern mesmerism has its counterpart among the pretended magic arts of the East, practiced, like many other existing superstitions, from time immemorial. Such follies and knaveries are all strictly forbidden in the Bible, and many of them in the Jewish dispensation were punishable with death. They are all idolatrous'ignoring the only true God, and seeking help from foreign sources. They are sure to prevail in proportion as men lose a calm trust in the Almighty, and an intelligent loving obedience to his will. He that fears God needs fear nothing else; while he that, like king Saul, departs from God, finds help and comfort nowhere. See ENDOR, and SORCERER. Library Prophets and the Prophet The Unclean Spirits. Striking Similes Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners: Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ... Resources What are the Christian themes in Prince Caspian? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian read the Chronicles of Narnia series or see the movies? | GotQuestions.org What is Wicca? Is Wicca witchcraft? | GotQuestions.org Witch: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |