The term "bewitched" refers to the act of being influenced or controlled by witchcraft or magic, often leading to deception or a departure from truth. In the biblical context, it is associated with spiritual deception and the turning away from the Gospel of Christ. The concept is most notably addressed in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul.

Galatians 3:1
The Apostle Paul uses the term "bewitched" in his letter to the Galatians: "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified" (Galatians 3:1). Here, Paul expresses his astonishment that the Galatian believers have been led astray from the truth of the Gospel. The use of "bewitched" suggests that they have been seduced by false teachings, specifically the Judaizers who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation, thus undermining the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice.

Old Testament Context
While the specific term "bewitched" is not used in the Old Testament, the practice of witchcraft and sorcery is explicitly condemned. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, God commands the Israelites: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells... Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD" . This passage underscores the seriousness with which God views any form of occult practice, as it leads people away from Him and into spiritual darkness.

New Testament Warnings
The New Testament continues to warn against deception and false teachings. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul expresses concern for the Corinthian church: "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" . This warning highlights the ongoing spiritual battle against deception, which can be likened to being "bewitched" by false ideologies or practices.

Spiritual Warfare
The concept of being "bewitched" can also be understood within the broader context of spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" . This passage emphasizes the reality of spiritual forces that seek to deceive and lead believers away from the truth of the Gospel.

Discernment and Faithfulness
Believers are called to exercise discernment and remain faithful to the teachings of Christ. In 1 John 4:1, the apostle John advises: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" . This call to discernment is crucial in avoiding being "bewitched" by false teachings or deceptive practices.

In summary, the biblical concept of being "bewitched" serves as a warning against spiritual deception and the importance of adhering to the truth of the Gospel. It underscores the need for vigilance, discernment, and faithfulness in the face of spiritual challenges.(imp. & p. p.) of Bewitch.940. baskaino -- to slander, hence by ext. to bewitch
... 5,13, ).]. Word Origin from baskanos (slanderous) Definition to slander, hence
by ext. to bewitch NASB Word Usage bewitched (1). bewitch. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/940.htm - 7k

But in Addition to all that Has Been Said Already...
... Who, I ask you, O foolish Galatian, has bewitched you, as those were bewitched
"before whose eyes Jesus Christ was evidently set forth, crucified?" [2058] From ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/49 but in addition to.htm

Seed Scattered and Taking Root
... 8. And there was great joy in that city, 9. But there was a certain man, called
Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture the acts/seed scattered and taking root.htm

Acts vii. 54
... But there was a certain man, called Simon, which before time in the same city used
sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria." (v.4-9.) Observe [412 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xviii acts vii 54.htm

The History of Simon Magus.
... "There was a certain man called Simon, which before-time in the same city used sorcery,
and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture x the history of.htm

Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised ...
... Thus, it might even be dangerous to lift up loaves of bread (though not broken pieces)
lest they should be bewitched (Erub.64 b). A number of instances are ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvi on the jewish.htm

The Ethics of Elfland
... A tree grows fruit because it is a MAGIC tree. Water runs downhill because
it is bewitched. The sun shines because it is bewitched. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/iv the ethics of elfland.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... "There was a certain man called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery,
and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... Having sinned, they become so bewitched with sin, that the scriptural statement
is no exaggeration: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/sinners bound with the cords.htm

The Necessity of Diligently Seeking the Saints' Rest.
... rest. O foolish sinners, "who hath bewitched you?" The world bewitches
men into brute beasts, and draws them even to madness. See ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter vii the necessity of.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... Having sinned, they become so bewitched with sin that the scriptural statement is
no exaggeration: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Bewitched (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bewitched (3 Occurrences). ... Acts 8:11 And to him they had
regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. ...
/b/bewitched.htm - 7k

Bewitch (1 Occurrence)
... There are two Greek words in the New Testament translated "bewitch." The one given
above (Acts 8:9, 21 the King James Version "bewitched," the Revised Version ...
/b/bewitch.htm - 8k

Bewray (1 Occurrence)

/b/bewray.htm - 9k

Vividly (1 Occurrence)
... Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Whose sophistry has bewitched you--you to whom
Jesus Christ has been vividly portrayed as on the Cross? (WEY). ...
/v/vividly.htm - 6k

Evidently (4 Occurrences)
... Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey
the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth ...
/e/evidently.htm - 10k

Magus
... both in the King James Version and in the Revised Version (British and American),
"used sorcery." Simon accordingly was a sorcerer, he "bewitched the people of ...
/m/magus.htm - 23k

Publicly (31 Occurrences)
... Galatians 3:1 Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before
whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as crucified? ...
/p/publicly.htm - 16k

Portrayed (3 Occurrences)
... Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Whose sophistry has bewitched you--you to
whom Jesus Christ has been vividly portrayed as on the Cross? ...
/p/portrayed.htm - 7k

Beforetime (21 Occurrences)
... Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same
city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that ...
/b/beforetime.htm - 13k

Sophistry (2 Occurrences)
... Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Whose sophistry has bewitched you--you to whom
Jesus Christ has been vividly portrayed as on the Cross? (WEY). ...
/s/sophistry.htm - 7k

What does it mean to be bewitched? | GotQuestions.org

Can a Christian be cursed? Will God allow a curse on a believer? | GotQuestions.org

When the Bible is translated into English, how do the translators decide what punctuation to use? | GotQuestions.org

Bewitched: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus