Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, magicians are individuals who claim to possess supernatural powers or knowledge, often through the use of occult practices. The Bible references magicians in various narratives, primarily in the Old Testament, where they are often depicted in opposition to the power of God.
Old Testament ReferencesOne of the earliest mentions of magicians is found in the account of Joseph in Egypt. Pharaoh's magicians are called upon to interpret his dreams, but they fail to do so. Joseph, empowered by God, successfully interprets the dreams, demonstrating the superiority of divine wisdom over human or occult knowledge (
Genesis 41:8: "In the morning his spirit was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.").
The most notable account involving magicians is during the time of Moses. When Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh to demand the release of the Israelites, Pharaoh's magicians replicate some of the miracles performed by Aaron, such as turning staffs into serpents and water into blood (
Exodus 7:11-12: "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."). However, the magicians are eventually unable to replicate the plagues brought upon Egypt, highlighting the limitations of their powers compared to the omnipotence of God (
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. 'This is the finger of God,' the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.").
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, magicians are mentioned in the context of early Christian evangelism. In
Acts 8, Simon the Sorcerer, a magician in Samaria, is amazed by the miracles performed by Philip and attempts to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles (
Acts 8:9-13: "Now a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, and they said, 'This man is the divine power called the Great Power.' They paid attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery. But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.").
Another significant encounter is with Elymas the sorcerer, also known as Bar-Jesus, who opposes Paul and Barnabas on the island of Cyprus. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebukes Elymas, and he is struck with blindness, demonstrating the power of God over occult practices (
Acts 13:8-11: "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, 'O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord? Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.' Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he groped around, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.").
Biblical Perspective on MagicThe Bible consistently condemns the practice of magic and sorcery. In
Deuteronomy 18:10-12, God explicitly forbids the Israelites from engaging in such practices, associating them with pagan nations and detestable acts (
Deuteronomy 18:10-12: "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 acts, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.").
The New Testament continues this condemnation, warning believers to avoid such practices and emphasizing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit over any form of magic or sorcery (
Galatians 5:19-21: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.").
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Hebrews hartumim, (
dan. 1:20) were sacred scribes who acted as interpreters of omens, or "revealers of secret things."
Strong's Hebrew
2748. chartom -- an engraver, writer... 2747, 2748. chartom. 2749 . an engraver, writer. Transliteration: chartom
Phonetic Spelling: (khar-tome') Short Definition:
magicians.
...2749. chartom -- magician
... 2748, 2749. chartom. 2750 . magician. Transliteration: chartom Phonetic
Spelling: (khar-tome') Short Definition:magicians. Word...
Library
The Master of theMagicians.
... THE OLD TESTAMENT CHAPTER XXXII. THE MASTER OF THEMAGICIANS. The Lord saw
that the heart of Nebuchadnezzar was lifted up with pride...
Miracles of theMagicians.
... Book III. Chapter LVII."Miracles of theMagicians. Then said Niceta: "In
what respect did the Egyptians sin in not believing Moses...
System of theMagicians; Incantations of Demons; Secret Magical...
... Book IV. Chapter XXVIII. "System of theMagicians; Incantations of Demons;
Secret Magical Rites. ... And (the sorcerer), taking...
Magicians not Trusted by Christians.
... Chapter XXVI."Magicians not trusted by Christians. And, thirdly, because
after Christ's ascension into heaven the devils put forward...
Simon Resisted Peter, as theMagicians Moses.
... Book III. Chapter LVI."Simon Resisted Peter, as theMagicians Moses. "In
a similar transaction I see that I am even now engaged....
These Gods were Really WickedMagicians.
... Homily VI. Chapter XX."These Gods Were Really WickedMagicians. "Then those
who chose to make dishonourable allegories of divine...
Persecution Every Christian's Lot
... Now, as Jannes and Jambres (two of the Egyptianmagicians) withstood Moses (by working
sham miracles) so do they also resist the truth; and (notwithstanding...
Addition to Acts of Philip.
... from thy disease? Whence, then, hast thou found this power and strength,
so as to be able to come to thesemagicians? Unless, then...
In How Many Ways the Creature is to be Taken by Way of Sign. The...
... serpent that came from Moses' rod signified the same thing as Jacob's stone, yet
Jacob's stone signified something better than did the serpents of themagicians...
Appendix
... This is a well-recognised performance of allmagicians to the present day.
When they both went into Pharaoh with themagicians, every...
Thesaurus
Magicians (16 Occurrences)...Magicians (16 Occurrences).
... I told it to the
magicians, but there was no one who
could explain it to me." (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV).
...Jambres (2 Occurrences)
... jan'-ez, jam'-brez (Iannes kai Iambres, 2 Timothy 3:8): 1. EgyptianMagicians: These
are the names of twomagicians in ancient Egypt, who withstood Moses...
Jannes (2 Occurrences)
... jan'-ez, jam'-brez (Iannes kai Iambres, 2 Timothy 3:8): 1. EgyptianMagicians: These
are the names of twomagicians in ancient Egypt, who withstood Moses...
Magus
... it is formed from [?] shama`, "to hear"): 1. Simon, a Magician 2. Simon and the
Apostles (1) Simon and Philip (2) Simon and Peter John 3. TheMagicians and the...
Enchanters (9 Occurrences)
... In every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired
of them, he found them ten times better than all themagicians and enchanters...
Enchantments (12 Occurrences)
... latim_ or _lehatim, which means "something covered," "muffled up;" secret arts,
tricks (Exodus 7:11, 22; 8:7, 18), by which the Egyptianmagicians imposed on...
Conjurers (7 Occurrences)
... In every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired
of them, he found them ten times better than all themagicians and enchanters...
Astrologers (9 Occurrences)
... 1:20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them,
he found them ten times better than all themagicians and astrologers that...
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...
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...
Resources
How were Pharaoh's magicians able to perform miracles? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about magic, magicians, illusionists? | GotQuestions.orgHow are magicians / illusionists able to levitate / perform levitation tricks? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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