כַּשָּׁף
𐤊𐤔𐤐
kashshâph
H3786 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A practitioner of magic, specifically one who engages in sorcery, incantations, or the performance of occult rituals. In biblical usage, typically denotes an individual claiming to manipulate spiritual forces through secret arts, spells, or the invocation of supernatural powers. The semantic range includes male and possibly female sorcerers associated with foreign practices condemned within Israelite society.
Semantic Range
magician, sorcerer, practitioner of magic, one who uses incantations or performs sorcery; in some contexts, court magician or Babylonian wise man involved in divination and occult arts
Root / Etymology
From the root כּשׁף (k-š-p), meaning 'to practice sorcery' or 'to perform magical arts.' The noun כַּשָּׁף derives directly from this root and indicates an individual who performs such acts. The root's precise original meaning is disputed; some connect it with Assyrian kasāpu ('to conjure, to bewitch'), but direct evidence for etymology is limited.
Historical & Contextual Notes
כַּשָּׁף appears predominantly in exilic and post-exilic literature (notably in Daniel, e.g., Dan 2:2, Dan 2:10), referring to Babylonian magicians or court sorcerers. The term may carry pejorative connotations within Israelite texts, where such practices are frequently condemned (see also Exod 7:11, Mal 3:5). In non-Israelite contexts, the word is neutral or esteemed, reflecting Babylonian and Near Eastern traditions of learned magicians. Later translations sometimes render כַּשָּׁף as 'wizard,' 'sorcerer,' or 'magician.' This does not imply entertainment magic, but the presumed manipulation of spiritual or supernatural power. Contrast with חָרְטֹם (ḥarṭom, 'magician' often in Egyptian contexts) and מְכַשֵּׁפָה (mekhashshefah, feminine form), though overlaps exist. The English term 'witch' used in some older translations reflects later European concerns and often misrepresents the biblical term's historical meaning. Over time, 'kashshaph' became a standard designation for individuals accused of practicing forbidden magical arts under later Judean law.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from כָּשַׁף; a magician; sorcerer.
Bantu Hebrew
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כשף (k-š-p) — practice sorcery, perform spells, employ magical arts
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3786-01 |
כַּשָּׁפֵי/כֶ֑ם | kashafeykhem | HNcmpc/Sp2mp |
your sorcerers | your sorcerers | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3786-01 |
Jeremiah 27:9 | כַּשָּׁפֵי/כֶ֑ם | kashafeykhem | HNcmpc/Sp2mp |
your sorcerers | your sorcerers |