כַּשָּׁף (kash.shaph)
kash.shaph
sorcerer
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun kashshaph refers to a practitioner of sorcery, appearing in the Hebrew Bible only once as a singular form in Jeremiah 27:9. In this context, it describes individuals who claim divine authority through occult means, specifically those who offer false prophetic messages that contradict God’s word.
While the term is rare in the Old Testament, its meaning aligns with broader ancient Near Eastern concepts of magic and divination. The sources indicate it denotes someone who uses enchantments or spells, often associated with deceptive spiritual practices. This single occurrence highlights the biblical rejection of such arts as rivals to true prophecy.
Translators typically render kashshaph as "sorcerer" or "enchanter," emphasizing the illicit nature of these activities. The word underscores a clear boundary in Israelite religion: legitimate communication with God comes through prophets and priests, not through those who seek power via hidden rituals or supernatural manipulation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kashshaph appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Jeremiah 27:9. It describes those who practice sorcery or enchantment to gain power or insight. In this verse, the prophet warns the people not to listen to these individuals who claim to speak for God but actually contradict His true message.
For your faith today, this reminds us that genuine guidance comes from God alone. When we face difficult choices or seek direction, we are invited to trust in Scripture and prayer rather than turning to hidden methods or false assurances. This boundary protects our relationship with the Lord, ensuring we rely on His clear voice instead of deceptive alternatives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sorcerers/ your1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כַּשָּׁפֵי/כֶ֑ם1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 27:9
But as for you, don’t listen to your prophets, to your diviners, to your dreams, to your soothsayers, or to your sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, “You shall not serve the king of Babylon;”
This verse explicitly lists sorcerers alongside diviners and dream interpreters as sources of false prophecy that contradict God's command to serve the king of Babylon.