Enchantments

Enchantments in the biblical world referred to various forms of magic, sorcery, and divination that Israel was forbidden to practice. The Hebrew vocabulary is extensive: laḥash (whispering charms), ḥeber (binding spells), naḥash (divination by omens, especially serpents), and qesem (divination by lot or oracle) all fall within the scope of practices condemned in Deuteronomy 18 as abominations practiced by the nations being displaced before Israel.

The Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses are described as performing signs through their enchantments, though their power was ultimately limited and surpassed. Balaam's attempted curse-oracles are associated with enchantments in Numbers 24:1. The condemnation of enchantments reflects the theological principle that Israel's life was to be governed by the word of God through authorized prophets and priests, not by manipulation of spiritual forces through pagan techniques. The repeated association of enchantments with foreign religion underscored their incompatibility with covenant fidelity.