In biblical terms, the concept of a "wizard" is often associated with practices that are expressly forbidden in the Scriptures. The term "wizard" is used in various translations of the Bible to describe individuals who engage in sorcery, divination, or other forms of occult practices. These practices are consistently condemned throughout the biblical text as they are seen as contrary to the worship and reliance on the one true God.

Old Testament References

The Hebrew word often translated as "wizard" is "yidde'oni," which refers to a practitioner of necromancy or one who communicates with spirits. Wizards, along with other practitioners of the occult, are mentioned in the context of prohibitions against engaging in such practices. In Leviticus 19:31 , the Israelites are commanded, "You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." This verse highlights the defiling nature of engaging with wizards and similar figures.

Further, in Leviticus 20:6 , the Lord warns, "Whoever turns to mediums or spiritists and prostitutes himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people." This severe consequence underscores the seriousness with which God views these practices.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 provides a comprehensive list of forbidden practices, including wizardry: "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."

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not specifically use the term "wizard," it continues to affirm the Old Testament's stance against sorcery and similar practices. 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."

Acts 8:9-24 recounts the account of Simon the Sorcerer, who practiced magic in Samaria and amazed the people. Upon hearing the gospel, Simon believed and was baptized, yet he later attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit with money. Peter rebuked him, saying, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" (Acts 8:20). This account illustrates the incompatibility of sorcery with the Christian faith.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, wizards and similar figures were often associated with pagan religions and practices. They were believed to have the ability to manipulate spiritual forces, predict the future, or communicate with the dead. Such practices were common among Israel's neighboring nations, which is why the Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting them.

The biblical prohibition against wizards and related practices is rooted in the call for exclusive devotion to God. Engaging in these practices was seen as a form of idolatry, as it involved seeking guidance, power, or knowledge from sources other than God. The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes that true wisdom and power come from God alone, and reliance on other spiritual entities is both futile and offensive to Him.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the Bible's condemnation of wizards and similar practitioners underscores the importance of faithfulness to God and the rejection of idolatry. It reflects the belief that God is sovereign over all creation and that His people are to trust in His provision and guidance rather than seeking forbidden knowledge or power through occult means.

The biblical stance against wizardry also highlights the spiritual warfare theme present throughout Scripture. Believers are called to discernment and to avoid practices that open them to spiritual deception or bondage. The emphasis is on maintaining purity and holiness, as God is holy and calls His people to be set apart for Him.Wizard

[DIVINATION; MAGIC, MAGICIANS]

A pretender to supernatural knowledge and power, "a knowing one," as the original Hebrew word signifies. Such an one was forbidden on pain of death to practise his deceptions (Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27; 1 Samuel 28:3; Isaiah 8:19; 19:3). 1. (n.) A wise man; a sage.

2. (n.) One devoted to the black art; a magician; a conjurer; a sorcerer; an enchanter.

3. (a.) Enchanting; charming.

4. (a.) Haunted by wizards.

WIZARD

wiz'-ard.

See ASTROLOGY, 1; DIVINATION; FAMILIAR; MAGIC; WITCH, WITCHCRAFT.

3097. magos -- a Magian, ie an (Oriental) astrologer, by impl. a ...
... a magician. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: magos Phonetic Spelling:
(mag'-os) Short Definition: a sorcerer, magician, wizard Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3097.htm - 7k

1114. goes -- a wailer, a sorcerer, a swindler
... seducer. From goao (to wail); properly, a wizard (as muttering spells), ie (by
implication) an imposter -- seducer. (goetes) -- 1 Occurrence. 1113, 1114. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1114.htm - 7k

1681. Elumas -- Elymas, a magician
... origin Definition Elymas, a magician NASB Word Usage Elymas (1). Elymas. Of foreign
origin; Elymas, a wizard -- Elymas. (elumas) -- 1 Occurrence. 1680, 1681. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1681.htm - 6k

3049. yiddeoni -- familiar spirit
... wizard. From yada'; properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl)
a ghost -- wizard. see HEBREW yada'. 3048, 3049. yiddeoni. 3050 . ...
/hebrew/3049.htm - 6k

Of the Sedition Excited at Alexandria, and How George was Slain.
... George as warring against the wizard Athanasius; later, the wizard was transformed
to a dragon, and George to an armed knight slaying the dragon. ...
/.../chapter ii of the sedition excited.htm

The Conspiracy
... "Seti," she said sternly, putting his hand away, "with thy people imperiled by the
sorcery of a wizard, with thy realm desolated by the plagues of his sending ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxi the conspiracy.htm

The Silence of God
... A spoon having been lost in the house, Augustin, to find out where it was, told
Licentius to go and consult a wizard, one Albicerius, who had, just then, a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/v the silence of god.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
... were making a seditious murmuring, Simon, moved with zeal, rouses himself, and began
to say many evil things about Peter, saying that he was a wizard and a ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostles peter and paul/acts of the holy apostles.htm

The Evolution of Language
... without transforming it. Philology, since this wizard touched it, has become
one of the most entrancing of the sciences. And Language ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter v the evolution of.htm

A Second Time the Master Zachyas, Doctor of the Law...
... with mortal man. Here then I do not know whether he be a wizard or a god;
or at least an angel of God speaks in him. Whence he is ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 31 a second time.htm

He Will be an Oratorical Genius
... genius. In Dan.7:20 we are told that he has "a mouth that spake very great
things." As a wizard of words he will surpass Demosthenes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/2 he will be an.htm

Prophets and the Prophet
... enchanter, or a witch, 11. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits,
or a wizard, or a necromancer.12. For all that do ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/prophets and the prophet.htm

The Evil one Said, "I Fear Him, Even Jesus, Lest He Destroy My ...
... Instead of pernicious envy, every one hates a weak and wretched demon. 7. The enchanter
is put to shame with the wizard, who every day tames serpents. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xli the evil one.htm

The Evil one Wailed "Where Now, is There a Place for Me to Flee to ...
... For though the demons were troubled, by the bones of some priest, or magician or
wizard, of Chaldean or soothsayer, yet I was aware that this was but mockery. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xlii the evil one.htm

Wizard (3 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WIZARD. wiz'-ard. See ASTROLOGY, 1; DIVINATION; FAMILIAR;
MAGIC; WITCH, WITCHCRAFT. Multi-Version Concordance Wizard (3 Occurrences ...
/w/wizard.htm - 8k

Necromancer (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) One who predicts the future by communicating
with the dead; a sorcerer; a wizard. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/n/necromancer.htm - 7k

Medium (4 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 20:27 "'A man or a woman that is a medium, or is a wizard, shall surely
be put to death: they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon ...
/m/medium.htm - 8k

Witchcraft (8 Occurrences)
... "Wizard" is given as masculine for witch, but it has in reality no connection
with it. Wright (English Dialect Dictionary, VII, 521 ...
/w/witchcraft.htm - 23k

Familiar (35 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 20:27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard,
shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their ...
/f/familiar.htm - 22k

Witch (2 Occurrences)
... "Wizard" is given as masculine for witch, but it has in reality no connection
with it. Wright (English Dialect Dictionary, VII, 521 ...
/w/witch.htm - 24k

Wizards (10 Occurrences)

/w/wizards.htm - 10k

Divineth (3 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 20:27 A man also or a woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a
wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones; their ...
/d/divineth.htm - 7k

Casts (21 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY NAS). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar
spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. (See NAS NIV). ...
/c/casts.htm - 11k

Charmer (5 Occurrences)
... Charmer (5 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar
spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV) ...
/c/charmer.htm - 8k

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