Strong's Lexicon qesem: Divination, witchcraft, soothsaying Original Word: קֶסֶם Word Origin: Derived from the root verb קָסַם (qasam), meaning "to divine" or "to practice divination." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G4436 (προφητεία - prophēteia): Often translated as "prophecy," though in a biblical context, it refers to true prophecy inspired by God, contrasting with false divination. - G3097 (μαγεία - mageia): Refers to magic or sorcery, similar to the practices associated with qesem. Usage: The term "qesem" refers to the practice of divination or seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means. In the Hebrew Bible, it is often associated with forbidden practices that involve consulting spirits, interpreting omens, or using other occult methods to gain insight or predict future events. The practice of qesem is consistently condemned in the Scriptures as it represents a reliance on sources other than God for guidance and wisdom. Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient Near East, divination was a common practice among various cultures, including the Canaanites, Egyptians, and Babylonians. It often involved rituals, the interpretation of natural phenomena, or the use of objects like arrows, entrails, or casting lots. Despite its prevalence, the Israelites were explicitly forbidden from engaging in such practices, as outlined in Deuteronomy 18:10-12, which warns against seeking guidance from diviners or engaging in witchcraft. The prohibition underscores the importance of relying solely on God for direction and understanding. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition divination NASB Translation divination (10), divine decision (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קֶ֫סֶם noun [masculine] divination; — absolute ׳ק Numbers 23:25+, קָ֑סֶם Ezekiel 21:26; construct קֶסֶם Ezekiel 13:6; plural קְסְמִים Deuteronomy 18:10 +; — 1 of the nations : Balaam, Numbers 23:23 (poem in J E; "" נַחַשׁ; with ב against; as accusative of congnate meaning with verb ׳לִקְאָםקֿ Ezekiel 21:26; ׳ק as instrument of divination בִּימִינוֺ Ezekiel 21:27; so of elders of Moab and Midian, קְסָמִים בְּיָדָם, Numbers 22:7(E). — Isaiah 2:6 see [קָסַם]. 2 of false prophets כָּזָב ׳ק Ezekiel 13:6 (but see [קָסַם]); ׳ק as accusative of congnate meaning with verb Ezekiel 13:23 (Co Berthol Krae כָּזָב as Ezekiel 13:9; Ezekiel 21:34; Ezekiel 22:38); צֱלִיל ׳ק (so Gf for ᵑ0 וֶאֱלִו֯ל Jeremiah 14:4 (all "" חזה שׁוא or שׁקר) קֹסֵם קְסָמִים); prohibited Deuteronomy 18:10; 2 Kings 17:17; reprobated 1 Samuel 15:23 (poem; "" תרפים). 3 in good sense עַל שִׂפְתֵי ׳ק מֶלֶךְ Proverbs 16:10 (king's lips as oracle). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance divination, divine sentence, witchcraft From qacam; a lot: also divination (including its fee), oracle -- (reward of) divination, divine sentence, witchcraft. see HEBREW qacam Forms and Transliterations הַקֶּ֣סֶם הקסם וְקֶ֖סֶם וְקֶ֣סֶם וְקֶ֤סֶם וּקְסָמִ֖ים וקסם וקסמים קְסָמִ֖ים קֶ֖סֶם קֶ֙סֶם֙ קֶ֤סֶם ׀ קָ֑סֶם קֹסֵ֣ם קסם קסמים hakKesem haq·qe·sem haqqesem Kasem kesaMim Kesem koSem qā·sem qāsem qə·sā·mîm qe·sem qəsāmîm qesem qō·sêm qōsêm ū·qə·sā·mîm ukesaMim ūqəsāmîm veKesem wə·qe·sem wəqesemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 22:7 HEB: וְזִקְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֔ן וּקְסָמִ֖ים בְּיָדָ֑ם וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ NAS: departed with the [fees for] divination in their hand; KJV: departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; INT: and the elders of Midian divination their hand came Numbers 23:23 Deuteronomy 18:10 1 Samuel 15:23 2 Kings 17:17 Proverbs 16:10 Jeremiah 14:14 Ezekiel 13:6 Ezekiel 13:23 Ezekiel 21:21 Ezekiel 21:22 11 Occurrences |
|
