Difference between revisions of "Enchantment"

<p> ENCH`ANTMENT, n. The act of producing certain wonderful effects by the invocation or aid of demons, or the agency of certain supposed spirits the use of magic arts, spells or charms incantation. </p> <p> The magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments. &nbsp;Exodus 7 </p> 1. Irresistible influence overpowering influence of delight. <p> The warmth of fancy--which holds the heart of a reader under the strongest enchantment. </p>

<p> &nbsp;Leviticus 19:26 (a) This refers to tricks and schemes to alter people's lives in an unnatural and unrighteous way. </p> <p> &nbsp;Numbers 24:1 (c) These enchantments are evidently pictures and types of the schemes and plans of Satan which are contrary to the will and way of GOD. </p>

<p> (See [[Divination]] .) </p>

<p> ''''' en ''''' - ''''' chant´ment ''''' : The occult arts, either supposedly or pretentiously supernatural, were common to all oriental races. They included enchantment, sorcery, witchcraft, sooth-saying, augury, necromancy, divination in numberless forms, and all kinds of magic article [[Nine]] varieties are mentioned in one single passage in the [[Pentateuch]] (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 18:10 , &nbsp;Deuteronomy 18:11 ); other varieties in many passages both in the Old [[Testament]] and New Testament, e.g. &nbsp;Leviticus 19:26 , &nbsp;Leviticus 19:31; &nbsp;Isaiah 2:6; &nbsp;Isaiah 57:3; &nbsp;Jeremiah 27:9; &nbsp;Micah 5:12; &nbsp;Acts 8:9 , &nbsp;Acts 8:11; &nbsp;Acts 13:6 , &nbsp;Acts 13:8; &nbsp;Galatians 5:20; &nbsp;Revelation 9:21 . The extent of the magic arts (forbidden under [[Judaism]] and Christianity) may incidentally be seen from the fact that the [[Scriptures]] alone refer to their being practiced in [[Chaldea]] (&nbsp;Daniel 5:11 ), [[Babylon]] (&nbsp;Ezekiel 21:21 ), [[Assyria]] (&nbsp;2 Kings 17:17 ), Egypt (&nbsp;Exodus 7:11 ), [[Canaan]] (&nbsp;Leviticus 18:3 , &nbsp;Leviticus 18:11; &nbsp;Leviticus 19:26 , &nbsp;Leviticus 19:31 ), Asia (Ephesus, &nbsp;Acts 19:13 , &nbsp;Acts 19:19 ), [[Greece]] (&nbsp;Acts 16:16 ), [[Arabia]] also, as "customs from the East," etc. (&nbsp;Isaiah 2:6 ) indicates. These secret arts were prohibited by the laws of Moses (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 18:9-12 ), inasmuch as they constituted a peculiar temptation to [[Israel]] to apostatize. They were a constant incentive to idolatry, clouded the mind with superstition, tended and were closely allied to imposture (&nbsp;Matthew 24:24 ). The term "enchantment" is found only in the Old Testament and its [[Hebrew]] originals indicate its varieties. </p> <p> (1) לטים , <i> ''''' lāṭı̄m ''''' </i> , and להטים , <i> ''''' lehāṭı̄m ''''' </i> "to wrap up," "muffie," "cover," hence, "clandestine," "secret." It was this hidden element that enabled the magicians of Egypt to impose on the credulity of [[Pharaoh]] in imitating or reproducing the miracles of Moses and Aaron; "They ... did in like manner with their enchantments" (&nbsp;Exodus 7:11 , &nbsp;Exodus 7:22 ). Their inability to perform a genuine miracle is shown by &nbsp;Exodus 8:18 . </p> <p> (2) נחשׁ , <i> ''''' nāḥash ''''' </i> , "to hiss," "whisper" referring to the mutterings of sorcerers in their incantations. Used as a derivative noun this Hebrew word means "a serpent." This involves the idea of cunning and subtlety. Although employed in the wider sense of augury or prognostication, its fundamental meaning is divination by serpents. This was the form of enchantment sought by [[Balaam]] (&nbsp;Numbers 24:1 ). Its impotence against the people of God is shown by &nbsp;Numbers 23:23 m. [[Shalmaneser]] forced this forbidden art upon the [[Israelites]] whom he carried captive to Assyria (&nbsp; 2 Kings 17:17 ). It was also one of the heathen practices introduced during the apostasy under Ahab, against which [[Elijah]] protested (compare &nbsp;1 Kings 21:20 ). </p> <p> (3) לחשׁ , <i> ''''' lāḥash ''''' </i> , "to whisper," "mutter," an onomatopoetic word, like the above, in imitation of the hiss of serpents. It is used of the offensive practice of serpent charming referred to in &nbsp;Ecclesiastes 10:11 , and as Delitzsch says, in the place cited., "signifies the whispering of formulas of charming." See also &nbsp;Isaiah 3:3 , "skilful enchanter"; &nbsp;Jeremiah 8:17 , "serpents, cockatrices (the Revised Version (British and American) "adders") ... which will not be charmed"; &nbsp;Psalm 58:4 , &nbsp;Psalm 58:5 , "the voice of charmers (the Revised Version, margin "enchanters"), charming never so wisely." Ophiomancy, the art of charming serpents, is still practiced in the East. </p> <p> (4) חבר , <i> ''''' ḥebher ''''' </i> , "spell," from חבר , <i> ''''' ḥābhar ''''' </i> , "to bind," hence, "to bind with spells," "fascinate," "charm," descriptive of a species of magic practiced by binding knots. That this method of imposture, e.g. the use of the magic knot for exorcism and other purposes, was common, is indicated by the monuments of the East. The moral mischief and uselessness of this and other forms of enchantment are clearly shown in &nbsp;Isaiah 47:9 , &nbsp;Isaiah 47:12 . This word is also used of the charming of serpents (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 18:11; &nbsp;Psalm 58:5 ). </p> <p> (5) ענן , <i> ''''' ‛ānan ''''' </i> , "to cover," "to cloud," hence, "to use covert arts." This form of divination was especially associated with idolatry (so Gesenius, <i> Hebrew Lexicon </i> ). Delitzsch, however, in a note on this word (&nbsp;Isaiah 2:6 ), doubts the meaning "conceal" and thinks that it signifies rather "to gather auguries from the clouds." He translates it "cloud-interpretive" (&nbsp;Micah 5:12 ). This view is not generally supported. Rendered "enchanters" (&nbsp;Jeremiah 27:9 , the Revised Version (British and American) "soothsayers"; so also in &nbsp;Isaiah 2:6 ). Often translated in the Revised Version (British and American) "practice augury," as in &nbsp;Leviticus 19:26; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 18:10 , &nbsp;Deuteronomy 18:14; &nbsp;2 Kings 21:6; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 33:6; a form of magical art corresponding in many respects to that of the Greek <i> ''''' mántis ''''' </i> , who uttered oracles in a state of divine frenzy. [[Septuagint]] κληδονίζομαι , <i> ''''' klēdonı́zomai ''''' </i> , i.e. augury through the reading or acceptance of a sign or omen. A kindred form of enchantment is mentioned in the New Testament (&nbsp;2 Timothy 3:13; Greek γόητες , <i> ''''' góētes ''''' </i> , "enchanters," "jugglers," the original indicating that the incantations were uttered in a kind of howl; rendered "seducers" the King James Version, "impostors" the Revised Version (British and American); compare &nbsp;Revelation 19:20 ). The New Testament records the names of several magicians who belonged to this class of conscious impostors: Simon Magus (&nbsp;Acts 8:9 ); [[Bar-Jesus]] and [[Elymas]] (&nbsp;Acts 13:6 , &nbsp;Acts 13:8 ); the slave girl with the spirit of [[Python]] ("divination," &nbsp;Acts 16:16 ); "vagabond (the Revised Version (British and American) "strolling") Jews, exorcists" (&nbsp;Acts 19:13; compare &nbsp;Luke 11:19 ); also the magicians of Moses' day, named [[Jannes]] and [[Jambres]] (&nbsp;2 Timothy 3:8 ). </p> <p> All these forms of enchantment claimed access through supernatural insight or aid, to the will of the gods and the secrets of the spirit world. In turning away faith and expectation from the living God, they struck a deadly blow at the heart of true religion. From the enchanters of the ancient Orient to the medicine-men of today, all exponents of the "black art" exercise a cruel tyranny over the benighted people, and multitudes of innocent victims perish in body and soul under their subtle impostures. In no respect is the exalted nature of the Hebrew and [[Christian]] faiths more clearly seen than in their power to emancipate the human mind and spirit from the mental and moral darkness, the superstition and fear, and the darkening effect of these occult and deadly articles For more detailed study see [[Divination]]; [[Astrology]] . </p>

<p> stands in the Authorized Version as the representative of several Hebrews words: usually some form of '''''נָחִשׁ''''' , ''Nachash''' (&nbsp;2 Kings 17:17; &nbsp;2 Kings 21:6; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 33:6; &nbsp;Leviticus 19:26; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 18:10; &nbsp;Numbers 23:23; &nbsp;Numbers 24:1), literally to whisper a spell, hence to practice divination in general; '''''לָחִשׁ''''' , lachash' (&nbsp;Ecclesiastes 10:11), of cognate form and signification, especially incantation; '''''לוּט''''' '', Lut,'' literally to ''Muffle'' up, hence to use ''Magic Arts'' (&nbsp;Exodus 7:13; &nbsp;Exodus 7:22; &nbsp;Exodus 8:7; &nbsp;Exodus 8:18); '''''עָנִן''''' , anan', literally to [[Cover]] with a cloud, hence to practice [[Sorcery]] (&nbsp;Jeremiah 27:9); and '''''חָבִר''''' , ''Chabar','' to ''Bind,'' i.e., with a spell, to [[Charm]] (&nbsp;Isaiah 47:9; &nbsp;Isaiah 47:12). The following are the specific forms which the black art assumed among the Hebrews. (See [[Amulet]]); (See Divination). </p> <p> '''1.''' '''''לָטַים''''' , ''Latim','' or '''''לְהָטַים''''' , ''Lehatim','' &nbsp;Exodus 7:11; &nbsp;Exodus 7:22; &nbsp;Exodus 8:7; Sept. '''''Φαρμακίαι''''' (Grotius compares the word with the Greek '''''Λιται''''' ); secret arts, from '''''וּט''''' l, ''To Coves;'' though others incorrectly connect it with '''''לִהִט''''' flame, or the glittering blade of a sword, as though it implied a sort of dazzling cheironomy which deceives spectators. Several versions render the word by "whisperings," ''Insusurrationes,'' but it seems to be a more general word, and hence is used of the various means (some of them no doubt of a quasi-scientific character) by which the [[Egyptian]] ''Chartummim'' imposed on the credulity of Pharaoh. (See [[Magician]]). </p> <p> '''2.''' '''''פְּשָׁפַים''''' ''., Keshaphim';'' Sept. '''''Φαρμακείαι''''' , '''''Φάρμακα''''' (&nbsp;2 Kings 9:22; &nbsp;Micah 5:12; &nbsp;Nahum 3:4); Vulg. ''Veneficia, Maleficia;'' "maleficae artes," "praestigiae," "muttered spells." Hence it is sometimes rendered by '''''Ἐπαοιδαί''''' , incantations, as in &nbsp;Isaiah 47:9; &nbsp;Isaiah 47:12. The belief in the power of certain formulae was universal in the ancient world. Thus there were ''Carmina'' to evoke the tutelary gods out of a city (Macrob. ''Saturnal,'' 3:9), others to devote hostile armies (Id.), others to raise the dead (Maimon. ''De Idol.'' 11:15; Senec. ( ''Edip'' . 547), or bind the gods ( '''''Δεσμοὶ''''' '''''Θεῶν''''' ) and men (AEsch. ''Fur.'' 331), and even influence the heavenly bodies (Ovid, ''Met.'' 7:207 sq.; 12:263; "Te quoque Luna traho," Virg. &nbsp;Ecclesiastes 8:1-17; AEn. 4:489 Hor. Epod. 5:45). They were a recognized part of ancient medicine, even among the Jews, who regarded certain sentences of the law as efficacious in healing. The [[Greeks]] used them as one of the five chief resources of pharmacy (Pind. Pyth. 3:8, 9; Soph. Aj. 582), especially in obstetrics (Plat. Theaet. page 145) and mental diseases (Galen, De Sanitattuenda, 1:8). [[Homer]] mentions them as used to check the flow of blood (Od. 19:456), and Cato even gives a charm to cure a disjointed limb (De [[Re]] Rust. 160; comp. Plin. H. N. 28:2). The belief in charms is still all but universal in uncivilized nations; see Lane's Modern AEgypt. 1:300, 306, etc.; 2:177, etc.; Beeckman's [[Voyage]] to Borneo, chapter 2; Meroller's [[Congo]] (in Pinkerton's Voyages, 16, pages 221, 273); Huc's China, 1:223; 2:326; Taylor's New Zealand, and Livingstone's Africa, passim, etc.; and hundreds of such remedies still exist, and are considered efficacious among the uneducated. (See [[Incantation]]). </p> <p> '''3.''' '''''לְחָשַׁים''''' '', Lechashim''' (&nbsp;Ecclesiastes 10:11), Sept. '''''Ψιθυρισμός''''' , is especially used of the charming of serpents, &nbsp;Jeremiah 8:17 (comp. &nbsp;Psalms 58:5; &nbsp;Sirach 12:13; &nbsp;Ecclesiastes 10:11; Lucan, 9:891 '''''—''''' a parallel to "cantando rumpituranguis," and "Vipereas rumpo verbis et carmine fauces," Ov. ''Metam.'' l.c.). [[Maimonides]] ''(De Idol.'' 11:2) expressly defines an enchanter as one "who uses strange and meaningless words, by which he imposes on the folly of the credulous. They say, for instance, that if one utter the words before a serpent or scorpion it will do no harm" (Carpzov, ''Alnot. In Godwynumn,'' 4:11). An account of the Marsi, who excelled in this art, is given by [[Augustine]] ''(Ad'' &nbsp;Genesis 9:28), and of the Psylli by [[Arnobius]] ''(Ad Nat.'' 2:32); and they are alluded to by a host of other authorities (Pliny, 7:2; 28:6; AElian, H.A. 1:5; Virg, AEn. 7:750; Sil. Ital. 8:495. They were called '''''Ο᾿Φιοδιώκται''''' ). The secret is still understood in the East (Lane, 2:106). (See Charm). </p> <p> '''4.''' The word '''''נְחָשַׁים''''' , ''Nechashim','' is used of the enchantments sought by Balaam (&nbsp;Numbers 24:1). It properly alludes toophiomancy, but in this place has a [[General]] meaning of, endeavoring to gain omens (Sept. '''''Εἰς''''' '''''Συνάντησιν''''' '''''Τοῖς''''' '''''Οἰωνοῖς''''' ). (See [[Soothsayer]]). </p> <p> '''5.''' '''''חֶבֶר''''' , ''Che'Ber,'' is used for magic (&nbsp;Isaiah 47:9; &nbsp;Isaiah 47:12). It means generally the process of acquiring power over some distant object or person; but this word seems also to have been sometimes used expressly of serpent charmers, for R. Sol. Jarchi, on &nbsp;Deuteronomy 17:11, defines the '''''חוֹבֶר''''' '''''חֶבֶר''''' to be one "who congregates serpents and scorpions into one place." (See [[Magic]]). </p> <p> Any resort to these methods of imposture was strictly forbidden in [[Scripture]] (&nbsp;Leviticus 19:26; &nbsp;Isaiah 47:9, etc.), but to eradicate the tendency is almost impossible (&nbsp;2 Kings 17:17; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 33:6), and we find it still flourishing at the Christian aera (&nbsp;Acts 13:6; &nbsp;Acts 13:8; &nbsp;Acts 8:9; &nbsp;Acts 8:11, '''''Γοητεία''''' ; &nbsp;Galatians 5:20; &nbsp;Revelation 9:21). (See [[Witchcraft]]). </p> <p> The chief "sacramenta daemoniaca" were a rod, a magic circle, dragon's eggs, certain herbs, or "insane roots," like the henbane, etc. The fancy of poets, both ancient and modern, has been exerted in giving lists of them (Ovid and Hor. l.c); Shakspeare's Macbeth, &nbsp;Acts 4:1; Kirke White's Gondoline; Southey's [[Curse]] of Kehama, &nbsp;Song of [[Solomon]] 4:1-16, etc.). (See Sorcery). </p>