חַרְטֹם (char.tom)
char.tom
magician
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The noun chartom refers to a magician or magician-astrologer, appearing exclusively in the Aramaic sections of Scripture. Its three occurrences are concentrated in the book of Daniel, where it designates the royal advisors who interpret dreams and omens for King Nebuchadnezzar. The term carries no positive connotation; rather, it identifies those whose wisdom stands in direct contrast to the sovereignty of the God of Israel.
Etymologically, this Aramaic word is a variant of the Hebrew chartom (H2748). While both terms describe practitioners of esoteric arts, the biblical narrative consistently portrays their methods as limited and ultimately powerless against divine revelation. In Daniel 2, these experts fail to reveal the king’s dream until God grants the secret to Daniel, highlighting that true interpretation comes from heaven alone.
Translators typically render chartom as "magician" or "wise man," depending on the context of the specific passage. The word serves as a literary marker for human attempts to access hidden knowledge through occult means. Its presence in Daniel underscores a central theme: when earthly wisdom fails, God provides clarity through His prophets.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chartom refers to those who claimed special insight into hidden things, often through occult means. In the book of Daniel, these advisors stand in sharp contrast to the God of Israel. Their methods rely on human effort and esoteric arts, which ultimately fall short when faced with divine sovereignty.
This distinction offers a quiet comfort. When you feel overwhelmed by circumstances that seem impossible to decode or control, remember that true wisdom comes from heaven. The failure of these royal experts in Daniel 2 highlights that God alone holds the secrets of time and history.
You do not need to master hidden codes to find peace. Instead, you can rest in the knowledge that God reveals what is necessary for His people. This word reminds us that our hope lies not in human cleverness, but in the reliable guidance of the Lord.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- magicians1×
- magician1×
- [the] magicians1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חַרְטֹּ֖ם1×
- חַרְטֻמִּין֙1×
- חַרְטֻמִּ֣ין1×
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 absolute limit of human occult knowledge when the king demands to hear both the dream and its interpretation.
-
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 uses this term to explicitly separate his God-given revelation from the failed efforts of enchanters and magicians.
-
Daniel 5:11
There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him. The king, Nebuchadnezzar, your father—yes, the king, your father—made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers,
The queen mother recalls how Daniel’s superior wisdom surpassed even the highest rank among these royal advisors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word char.tom mean?
Why is this word only found in Daniel?
How does char.tom differ from other wise men in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 3 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 5:11There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, light and…