Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Terminology:In biblical terms, sorcerers are individuals who practice sorcery, which involves the use of magic, witchcraft, or supernatural powers that are not from God. The term "sorcerer" is often used interchangeably with "magician," "witch," or "wizard" in various translations of the Bible. The Hebrew word often translated as "sorcerer" is "kashaph," while the Greek term is "pharmakeus," which can also imply the use of potions or drugs in magical practices.
Old Testament References:The Old Testament explicitly condemns sorcery and those who practice it. In
Exodus 22:18, the law states, "You must not allow a sorceress to live." This reflects the severity with which sorcery was viewed in ancient Israelite society.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 further warns against engaging in sorcery, divination, or consulting with spirits, stating, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD."
The narrative of King Saul consulting the witch of Endor in
1 Samuel 28 illustrates the dangers and spiritual consequences of seeking guidance from sorcerers. Despite being forbidden, Saul seeks out a medium, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
New Testament References:The New Testament continues to denounce sorcery. In
Acts 8:9-24, Simon the Sorcerer attempts to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles, revealing the corrupt nature of sorcery and its incompatibility with the Gospel. 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).
In
Acts 13:6-12, the apostle Paul encounters Elymas the sorcerer, who opposes the Gospel. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebukes Elymas, resulting in his temporary blindness. This event underscores the power of God over sorcery and the futility of opposing His will.
The book of Revelation also mentions sorcerers in the context of end-times judgment.
Revelation 21:8 lists sorcerers among those who will face the second death: "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur."
Theological Implications:Sorcery is consistently portrayed in the Bible as an abomination and a direct challenge to the sovereignty of God. It represents a reliance on powers other than God and often involves deception and manipulation. The biblical narrative emphasizes that true power and wisdom come from God alone, and any attempt to circumvent His authority through sorcery is condemned.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near East, sorcery was a common practice among various cultures, often associated with pagan religions and rituals. Sorcerers were believed to have the ability to influence events, control spirits, and predict the future. The biblical prohibition against sorcery served to distinguish the Israelites from surrounding nations and to maintain the purity of their worship of Yahweh.
Moral and Ethical Considerations:The Bible's stance against sorcery highlights the importance of faithfulness to God and the rejection of any form of idolatry or spiritual compromise. Believers are called to trust in God's providence and guidance rather than seeking forbidden knowledge or power through sorcery. The consistent biblical message is one of reliance on God's wisdom and the rejection of any practices that seek to undermine His authority.
Greek
5333. pharmakos -- a poisoner, sorcerer, magician... Word Origin from pharmakon (a drug) Definition a poisoner, sorcerer, magician NASB
Word Usage
sorcerers (2). sorcerer. The same as pharmakeus -- sorcerer.
...Strong's Hebrew
3784. kashaph -- to practice sorcery... 3783, 3784. kashaph. 3785 . to practice sorcery. Transliteration: kashaph
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-shaf') Short Definition:
sorcerers.
...3786. kashshaph -- sorcerer
... 3785, 3786. kashshaph. 3787 . sorcerer. Transliteration: kashshaph Phonetic
Spelling: (kash-shawf') Short Definition:sorcerers....
Library
Moreover, ifSorcerers Call Forth Ghosts, and Even Make what Seem...
... Chapter XXIII. Moreover, ifsorcerers call forth ghosts, and even make
what seem the souls of the? Moreover, ifsorcerers call...
Moreover, if any one Would Wish to Become Acquainted with the...
... Chapter XXXI. Moreover, if any one would wish to become acquainted with
the artifices of thosesorcerers? Moreover, if any one...
Jesus, Accordingly, in Turning Away the Minds of his Disciples...
... Jesus, accordingly, in turning away the minds of His disciples, not merely from
giving heed tosorcerers in general, and those who profess in any other manner...
All the Arguments, Indeed, which this Jew of Celsus Advances...
... you yourselves have recorded, that there will appear among you others also, who
will perform miracles like mine, but who are wicked men andsorcerers," some one...
Objections from the Revelation and the First Epistle of St. John...
... in its later passages, has assigned "the infamous and fornicators," as well as
"the cowardly, and unbelieving, and murderers, andsorcerers, and idolaters...
The Fraud of the Foregoing Practices; their Connection with Heresy...
... And the heresiarchs, astonished at the art of these (sorcerers), have imitated them,
partly by delivering their doctrines in secrecy and darkness, and partly...
Immediately after This, as if Doing his Utmost to Reduce the Human...
... Perhaps, indeed, he wishes quietly, as an Epicurean, to censure the entire use
of such arts, as resting only on the professions ofsorcerers....
This Jew of Celsus, Ridiculing Jesus, as He Imagines...
... that Celsus treats these accounts with ridicule, or that he never read them; for
he would probably say in reply, that there are certainsorcerers who are able...
Expatriation
... way is long, the horses have been required at our hands by the Pharaoh and were
taken from us, and if there be evil omens, the king'ssorcerers will discover...
The Heathens Made Gods Like Themselves, Whence Springs all...
... and greasy stone, as the saying is, dreads tufts of tawny wool, and lumps of salt,
and torches, and squills, and sulphur, bewitched bysorcerers, in certain...
Thesaurus
Sorcerers (8 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Sorcerers (8 Occurrences).
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS
RSV). Exodus 7:11 Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the
sorcerers.
...Familiar (35 Occurrences)
...Sorcerers or necormancers, who professed to call up the dead to answer questions,
were said to have a "familiar spirit" (Deuteronomy 18:11; 2 Kings 21:6; 2...
Observers (5 Occurrences)
... ye, ye do not hearken unto your prophets, and unto your diviners, and unto your
dreamers, and unto your observers of clouds, and unto yoursorcerers who are...
Jambres (2 Occurrences)
... magicians are spoken of, who were called upon by Pharaoh to oppose Moses and Aaron:
"Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and thesorcerers: and they also...
Jannes (2 Occurrences)
... magicians are spoken of, who were called upon by Pharaoh to oppose Moses and Aaron:
"Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and thesorcerers: and they also...
Lewd (37 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,
and lewd men, andsorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have...
Immoral (16 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral,sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the...
Idolaters (5 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral,sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the...
Enchanters (9 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 27:9 Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor
to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to yoursorcerers, which speak...
Murderers (9 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral,sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the...
Resources
What does the Bible say about sorcery? | GotQuestions.orgWho were Jannes and Jambres? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between miracles and magic? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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