Original Word: אַשָּׁף
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ashshaph
Pronunciation: ash-shawf'
Phonetic Spelling: (ash-shawf')
Definition: a conjurer
Meaning: A conjurer, enchanter, or magician.

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to mutter a spell.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G3097: μαγος (magos) • Refers to a magician or wise man, often used in the context of the Magi who visited Jesus after His birth.
• G5386: φαρμακευς (pharmakeus) • Refers to a sorcerer or one who prepares or uses magical remedies.

These Greek terms, like their Hebrew counterpart, are associated with individuals who practice magic or possess esoteric knowledge, often in a religious or courtly setting.

Usage: The term אַשָּׁף is used in the context of individuals who practice magic or enchantment, often associated with the court magicians or wise men in ancient Near Eastern cultures.

Context: The Hebrew term אַשָּׁף (ashshaph) appears in the context of the Babylonian court, particularly in the Book of Daniel. It refers to a class of wise men or magicians who were called upon to interpret dreams and perform acts of divination. These individuals were considered skilled in the arts of magic and enchantment, often serving in the royal courts as advisors or interpreters of omens.

In the Book of Daniel, the term is used to describe the magicians of Babylon who were summoned by King Nebuchadnezzar to interpret his dreams. For example, in Daniel 2:2 (BSB), it is written: "So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed." Here, the term אַשָּׁף is translated as "magicians," indicating their role in the king's court as practitioners of the mystical arts.

The use of this term highlights the cultural and religious practices of the time, where such individuals were believed to possess special knowledge and abilities to communicate with the divine or interpret supernatural phenomena. The presence of these magicians in the biblical narrative serves to contrast the wisdom and power of God, as demonstrated through His servant Daniel, with the limited and often futile efforts of human magic and divination.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
a conjurer, necromancer
NASB Translation
conjurers (2).

[אַשָּׁף] noun masculine conjurer, necromancer (probably Babylonian loan-word, Assyrian ašipu COT^Gloss compare Dl^{Pr 141}, Aramaic אָשַׁף, ; see also Assyrian šiptu, conjuration) only plural אַשָּׁפִים Daniel 1:20 ("" חַרְטֻמִּים), Daniel 2:2 ("" ׳ח, מְבַשְּׁפִים, כַּשְׂדִּים).

אשׁף (√ of dubious meaning, whence following)

astrologer

From an unused root (probably meaning to lisp, i.e. Practice enchantment); a conjurer -- astrologer.

הָֽאַשָּׁפִ֔ים האשפים וְלָֽאַשָּׁפִ֗ים ולאשפים hā’aššāp̄îm hā·’aš·šā·p̄îm haashshaFim velaashshaFim wə·lā·’aš·šā·p̄îm wəlā’aššāp̄îmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts