כָּשַׁף (ka.shaph)
ka.shaph
to practice sorcery
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ka.shaph refers to the act of practicing sorcery or witchcraft. In the Old Testament, it appears in five verses, most notably in Exodus, II Chronicles, and Malachi. The word describes engaging in occult practices intended to manipulate spiritual forces or predict the future, a behavior consistently condemned in biblical law.
Its root meaning centers on enchantment or casting spells. When used as a participle, it identifies a sorcerer or sorceress. The text treats this not merely as superstition but as a serious violation of covenant loyalty to God, who alone holds knowledge of the future and power over life and death.
Translators typically render ka.shaph as "practice sorcery" or "use witchcraft." This precise phrasing distinguishes it from general idolatry by highlighting the specific technique of magical manipulation. The biblical witness presents such practices as incompatible with trust in divine providence, framing them as attempts to bypass God’s authority through hidden arts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ka.shaph points to a specific attempt to control spiritual forces or predict the future through hidden arts. In the ancient world, this was seen as a direct challenge to God’s authority. Scripture treats it not just as a cultural quirk, but as a serious breach of trust in divine providence.
For your faith life, this word highlights the peace that comes from letting go of the need to manipulate outcomes. When we stop trying to force things through occult means or fear-based rituals, we create space for genuine reliance on God’s care.
Malachi 3:5 reminds us that God stands against those who seek power outside His will. This is good news. It means you do not need to navigate life by guessing the future or casting spells. You can rest in the fact that God alone holds knowledge of tomorrow and offers stability through faithful trust.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ <to> the/ sorcerers2×
- on the/ sorcerers1×
- and/ he practiced sorcery1×
- and/ a sorcerer1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/מְכַשֵּֽׁף\׃1×
- וְֽ/כִשֵּׁ֔ף1×
- וְ/לַֽ/מְכַשְּׁפִים֙1×
- וְ/לַֽ/מְכַשְּׁפִ֑ים1×
- בַּֽ/מְכַשְּׁפִים֙1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 7:11
Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. They also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same thing with their enchantments.
This verse shows sorcery as a rival spiritual power to Moses, illustrating how ka.shaph was used to challenge God’s authority directly.
-
Deuteronomy 18:10
There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who tells fortunes, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer,
Here the word is listed alongside other forbidden practices, marking it as a clear boundary for Israel’s covenant loyalty.
-
Malachi 3:5
I will come near to you to judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against the perjurers, and against those who oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and who deprive the foreigner of justice, and don’t fear me,” says Yahweh of Armies.
God declares Himself a swift witness against sorcerers, linking this practice to other social injustices like oppressing the vulnerable.