Definition and Terminology:
Sorcery, in biblical terms, refers to the practice of using supernatural powers or magic, often through the assistance of evil spirits, to influence events or manipulate people. The term is frequently associated with witchcraft, divination, and the occult. In the original biblical languages, the Hebrew word often translated as "sorcery" is "כְּשָׁפִים" (keshafim), and in Greek, it is "φαρμακεία" (pharmakeia), which can also imply the use of potions or drugs.

Biblical References:
The Bible consistently condemns sorcery as an abomination to God. In the Old Testament, sorcery is explicitly prohibited in the Mosaic Law. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 states, "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."

In the New Testament, sorcery is listed among the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:19-21 warns, "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Historical Context:
In ancient times, sorcery was a common practice among pagan cultures surrounding Israel. These practices often involved rituals, incantations, and the use of potions or drugs to invoke the power of spirits or deities. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting these practices, as they were contrary to the worship of Yahweh and His commandments.

Theological Significance:
Sorcery is seen as a direct challenge to the sovereignty and authority of God. It represents a reliance on powers other than God and often involves the worship of false gods or demonic entities. The Bible's strong condemnation of sorcery underscores the importance of faithfulness to God and the rejection of all forms of idolatry and spiritual deception.

Notable Biblical Figures and Events:
· Pharaoh's Magicians: In the book of Exodus, Pharaoh's magicians are depicted as practicing sorcery in an attempt to replicate the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron (Exodus 7:11-12). Their failure to match the power of God demonstrated the superiority of God's power over sorcery.
· The Witch of Endor: King Saul, in desperation, sought the counsel of a medium at Endor, an act that was against God's law (1 Samuel 28:7-25). This event highlights the consequences of turning to sorcery instead of seeking God's guidance.
· Simon the Sorcerer: In Acts 8:9-24 , Simon, a sorcerer in Samaria, attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles. His account serves as a warning against the misuse of spiritual gifts and the dangers of seeking power for personal gain.

Moral and Ethical Implications:
The Bible's prohibition of sorcery serves as a moral directive for believers to avoid all forms of occult practices. It calls Christians to trust in God's power and wisdom rather than seeking control through forbidden means. The practice of sorcery is seen as a rejection of God's authority and a dangerous entanglement with spiritual forces opposed to His will.

Contemporary Relevance:
In today's world, sorcery can manifest in various forms, including modern occult practices, New Age spirituality, and the fascination with magic and the supernatural. Christians are encouraged to discern and reject these influences, remaining steadfast in their commitment to biblical truth and the worship of God alone.(n.) Plural of Sorcery.5331. pharmakeia -- the use of medicine, drugs or spells
... (AT Robertson). Word Origin from pharmakeuo (to administer drugs) Definition the
use of medicine, drugs or spells NASB Word Usage sorceries (1), sorcery (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5331.htm - 7k3785. kesheph -- sorcery
... 3784, 3785. kesheph. 3786 . sorcery. Transliteration: kesheph Phonetic
Spelling: (keh'-shef) Short Definition: sorceries. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/3785.htm - 6k

Consummation of Thomas the Apostle.
... said: I have not been in a hurry [2400] to destroy thee, but have restrained myself;
but thou hast made a display of works, so that thy sorceries have been ...
/.../consummation of thomas the apostle/consummation of thomas the apostle.htm

Seed Scattered and Taking Root
... power of God.11. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he
had bewitched them with sorceries.12. But when they believed ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture the acts/seed scattered and taking root.htm

Simon's Disciples Adopt the Mysteries; Simon Meets St. Peter at ...
... This Simon, deceiving many [646] in Samaria by his sorceries, was reproved by the
Apostles, and was laid under a curse, as it has been written in the Acts. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xv simons disciples adopt the.htm

The Miracles
... are some true, as the tide. It is the same with prophecies, miracles,
divination by dreams, sorceries, etc. For if there had been ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xiii the miracles.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... Because of these things, ancient Babylon was suddenly overwhelmed,""for the multitude
of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

The Unseen Watcher
... They shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries,
and for the great abundance of thine enchantments. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm

A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible in Spain
... far from being a defence, will invariably prove a thorn in thy side, a source of
humiliation and ignominy, a punishment for thy sorceries, thy abominations and ...
/.../a supplementary chapter to the.htm

Of Washing the Hands.
... [8845]. Footnotes: [8841] 1 Timothy 2:8. [8842] Or, "sorceries.". [8843] See Matthew
15:10, 11, 17-20; xxiii. 25, 26. [8844] By Pilate. See Matthew 27:24. ...
/.../tertullian/on prayer/chapter xiii of washing the hands.htm

Thyatira
... silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor
walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/thyatira.htm

Divided Worship
... retaining some trace of their heathen origin. Simon Magus bewitched them
in his sorceries. They began as heathen, though in lapse ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/divided worship.htm

Sorceries (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sorceries (11 Occurrences). Acts 8:11 They listened to
him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. ...
/s/sorceries.htm - 9k

Fornications (14 Occurrences)
... peace, Jehu? And he said, What peace, so long as the fornications of thy mother
Jezebel and her sorceries are so many? (DBY). 2 Chronicles ...
/f/fornications.htm - 10k

Enchantments (12 Occurrences)
... (2.) The rendering of the Hebrew keshaphim, "muttered spells" or "incantations,"
rendered "sorceries" in Isaiah 47:9, 12, ie, the using of certain formulae ...
/e/enchantments.htm - 11k

Charms (10 Occurrences)
... things, In a moment, in one day, childlessness and widowhood, According to their
perfection they have come upon thee, In the multitude of thy sorceries, In the ...
/c/charms.htm - 9k

Witchcraft (8 Occurrences)
... in The Wisdom of Solomon 12:4; 18:13; and in the Septuagint of Isaiah 47:9, where
it represents the Hebrew noun keshaphim, translated "sorceries"; compare the ...
/w/witchcraft.htm - 23k

Magus
... James Version). In Acts 8:11 it is also said that "of long time he had amazed"
them "with his sorceries" (magiais). The claim, given ...
/m/magus.htm - 23k

Witch (2 Occurrences)
... in The Wisdom of Solomon 12:4; 18:13; and in the Septuagint of Isaiah 47:9, where
it represents the Hebrew noun keshaphim, translated "sorceries"; compare the ...
/w/witch.htm - 24k

Sorcery (10 Occurrences)

/s/sorcery.htm - 10k

Scribes (85 Occurrences)
... Exodus 7:22 And the scribes of Egypt did so with their sorceries; and Pharaoh's
heart was stubborn, neither did he hearken to them, as Jehovah had said. ...
/s/scribes.htm - 49k

Listened (120 Occurrences)
... power of God." (WEB). Acts 8:11 They listened to him, because for a long time
he had amazed them with his sorceries. (WEB). Acts 13:48 ...
/l/listened.htm - 36k

Sorceries: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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