Jump to: Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terminology, a "charmer" refers to an individual who practices enchantment or uses spells, often associated with divination or sorcery. The term is frequently mentioned in the context of prohibitions against occult practices, which are condemned in the Scriptures as contrary to the worship and reliance on the one true God.Old Testament References The Old Testament provides several references to charmers, often in the context of prohibitions against engaging in such practices. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Israelites are explicitly warned against adopting the abominable practices of the nations they are displacing: "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 things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you." The Hebrew word often translated as "charmer" is "ḥaber," which can denote one who binds or enchants through incantations. In Psalm 58:5 , the psalmist refers to the futility of charmers in controlling the actions of a serpent: "They are like a serpent that shuts its ears, like a cobra that stops its ears, so it does not hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell." Prohibitions and Warnings The practice of charming is consistently associated with idolatry and rebellion against God. Leviticus 19:26 commands, "You must not eat anything with blood still in it. You must not practice divination or sorcery." This verse underscores the separation that God demands from His people, setting them apart from pagan practices that rely on supernatural powers other than God Himself. Isaiah 19:3 prophesies against Egypt, stating, "Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will confound their plans. They will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists." This passage highlights the futility and desperation of turning to charmers and other occult practitioners in times of distress, contrasting it with the sovereignty and sufficiency of God. New Testament Context While the New Testament does not specifically mention "charmers," it continues the Old Testament's condemnation of sorcery and related practices. Acts 8:9-24 recounts the account of Simon the Sorcerer, who practiced magic in Samaria and attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles. This account serves as a warning against the allure of magical practices and the importance of genuine faith and repentance. Galatians 5:19-21 lists sorcery among the "acts of the flesh," warning that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." This reinforces the biblical stance that reliance on magical or occult practices is incompatible with a life devoted to Christ. Theological Implications From a theological perspective, the practice of charming is seen as a direct challenge to the authority and power of God. It represents a reliance on human or demonic powers rather than trusting in God's providence and guidance. The consistent biblical prohibition against charmers and related practices underscores the call for God's people to remain faithful and dependent on Him alone. In summary, the biblical portrayal of charmers is uniformly negative, associating them with idolatry, deception, and rebellion against God. The Scriptures call believers to reject such practices and to place their trust solely in the Lord, who is the source of all true wisdom and power. Easton's Bible Dictionary One who practises serpent-charming (Psalm 58:5; Jeremiah 8:17; Ecclesiastes 10:11). It was an early and universal opinion that the most venomous reptiles could be made harmless by certain charms or by sweet sounds. It is well known that there are jugglers in India and in other Eastern lands who practise this art at the present day.In Isaiah 19:3 the word "charmers" is the rendering of the Hebrew 'ittim, meaning, properly, necromancers (R.V. marg., "whisperers"). In Deuteronomy 18:11 the word "charmer" means a dealer in spells, especially one who, by binding certain knots, was supposed thereby to bind a curse or a blessing on its object. In Isaiah 3:3 the words "eloquent orator" should be, as in the Revised Version, "skilful enchanter." Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) One who charms, or has power to charm; one who uses the power of enchantment; a magician.2. (n.) One who delights and attracts the affections. Greek 5587. psithurismos -- a whispering ... Souter). [5587 () is "an onomatopoetic word for the sibilant murmur of a snake charmer (Ecc 10:11)" ( at 2 Cor 12:20).]. Word Origin ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5587.htm - 7k Strong's Hebrew 3907. lachash -- to whisper, charm... charmer, whisper together. A primitive root; to whisper; by implication, to mumble a spell (as a magician) -- charmer, whisper (together). 3906, 3907. ... /hebrew/3907.htm - 6k 2267. cheber -- company, association, spell 328. at -- gentleness 3956. lashon -- tongue 1167. baal -- owner, lord Library On the Perfection of Patience. The Words of Abbot Serapion on the Decline of Thoughts that are ... Psalm LVIII. Prefatory Notice An Address to the Regenerate, Founded on the Preceding Discourses. Closing Appeal. Our Instructor's Treatment of Our Sins. Colossians iii. 3 Choice of Company Prophets and the Prophet Thesaurus Charmer (5 Occurrences)... In Deuteronomy 18:11 the word "charmer" means a dealer in spells, especially one who, by binding certain knots, was supposed thereby to bind a curse or a ... /c/charmer.htm - 8k Charmer's (1 Occurrence) Charms (10 Occurrences) Charmed (3 Occurrences) Charmers (4 Occurrences) Necromancer (1 Occurrence) Whisperers (1 Occurrence) Wizard (3 Occurrences) Inquireth (7 Occurrences) Tune (15 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about snakes? Are snakes evil? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about sorcery? | GotQuestions.org Charmer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Charmer (5 Occurrences)Deuteronomy 18:11 Psalms 58:5 Ecclesiastes 10:11 Isaiah 3:3 Jeremiah 8:17 Subtopics Related Terms |
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