כֶּ֫שֶׁף (ke.sheph)
ke.sheph
sorcery
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun keshaph refers to sorcery or witchcraft, describing practices intended to manipulate spiritual forces for personal gain or control. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears only three times, marking it as a rare but serious offense against divine authority.
This term is linked to those who use incantations or magical arts to influence outcomes, whether in battle or daily life. It surfaces in narratives like II Kings 21:6, where King Manasseh’s sins include practicing such arts, and in Isaiah 47:9-12, where Babylon’s magicians are called upon for protection but fail.
Its scarcity underscores how central Israel’s covenant was to rejecting foreign occult practices. The word often appears alongside references to divination or enchantment, highlighting a broader prohibition against seeking power outside of God’s provision. Translators typically render it as "sorcery" or "witchcraft," capturing its association with illicit spiritual manipulation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word keshaph describes a deep desire to control outcomes through hidden methods rather than trusting God. It points to practices meant to manipulate spiritual forces for personal advantage. This stands in direct contrast to the peace that comes from relying on divine provision and wisdom.
When we face uncertainty, it is natural to want guarantees. Yet this term reminds us that seeking power outside of God’s guidance leads to emptiness. The biblical narrative shows that such efforts ultimately fail to protect or provide what is truly needed.
Instead of striving for control through secret means, we are invited to rest in the sufficiency of faith. This perspective frees us from the anxiety of needing to force results, allowing us to walk with confidence in God's care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sorceries/ your2×
- and/ sorceries/ her1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּשָׁפַ֔יִ/ךְ2×
- וּ/כְשָׁפֶ֖י/הָ1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 47:9
But these two things will come to you in a moment in one day: the loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in their full measure, in the multitude of your sorceries, and the great abundance of your enchantments.
This verse highlights the futility of sorcery by showing that spiritual practices cannot prevent sudden loss or protect against widowhood.
-
II Kings 9:22
When Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” He answered, “What peace, so long as the prostitution of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft abound?”
Here the term is linked to Jezebel, illustrating how such practices are associated with moral corruption and political instability rather than true peace.
-
Isaiah 47:12
“Stand now with your enchantments and with the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have labored from your youth, as if you might profit, as if you might prevail.
The prophet challenges Babylon’s experts to stand firm in their long-practiced arts, only to reveal that these efforts cannot profit or prevail against God's judgment.