אָשַׁף (ash.shaph)
ash.shaph
enchanter
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The term ash.shaph refers to a conjurer or enchanter, specifically appearing in the Aramaic sections of Daniel. It denotes someone who practices magic or divination, often associated with seeking hidden knowledge through supernatural means. In the biblical narrative, these figures are portrayed as rivals to God’s prophets, relying on occult arts rather than divine revelation.
This word highlights the tension between true prophecy and false sorcery in ancient Israel. While prophets like Daniel received direct messages from God, enchanters used rituals and spells to interpret dreams or predict the future. The text consistently shows that such practices are powerless against the sovereignty of God, as seen when Nebuchadnezzar’s magicians fail where Daniel succeeds.
Its usage underscores a key theme in Scripture: only God holds ultimate authority over the future. By contrasting ash.shaph with faithful servants like Daniel, the biblical authors emphasize that true wisdom comes from trusting in God rather than relying on deceptive or forbidden methods of gaining insight.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ash.shaph describes those who seek hidden knowledge through enchantment or magic rather than through God. In the book of Daniel, these figures are presented as rivals to His prophets, relying on occult arts instead of divine revelation. This contrast highlights a central theme: only God holds ultimate authority over the future.
When Nebuchadnezzar’s magicians failed to interpret his dream, Daniel succeeded because he trusted in the Lord (Daniel 2:27). True wisdom comes from relying on God, not deceptive methods. As you face uncertainty, remember that He reveals what is hidden to those who seek Him faithfully.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- conjurers2×
- conjurers/ the1×
- and/ conjurer1×
- <obj.>/ conjurers/ the1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָֽשְׁפִ֗ין2×
- לְ/אָ֣שְׁפַיָּ֔/א1×
- וְ/אָשַׁ֥ף1×
- אָֽשְׁפַיָּ֔/א1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:10
The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on the earth who can show the king’s matter, because no king, lord, or ruler has asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or Chaldean.
This verse shows the enchanters admitting their powerlessness before a king's demand, highlighting the limits of human magic.
-
Daniel 2:27
Daniel answered before the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded can’t be shown to the king by wise men, enchanters, magicians, or soothsayers;
Daniel explicitly contrasts his ability to reveal secrets with the inability of enchanters and wise men, pointing to God as the source of true knowledge.
-
Daniel 5:15
Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me its interpretation; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing.
Belshazzar’s enchanters fail to interpret the writing on the wall, demonstrating that occult practices cannot access divine truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ash.shaph mean?
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Every Occurrence (5 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 5 verses
The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on the earth who can show the king’s matter, because no…
Daniel 2:27Daniel answered before the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded can’t be shown to the king by wise…
Daniel 5:7The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the…
Daniel 5:11There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, light and…
Daniel 5:15Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to…