Meaning of WIZARD

Person supposedly endowed with supernatural powers, due to the practice of occultism and their relationships with evil spirits. The Hebrew term "hartõm," translated as "Chaldean" or "magician," came to mean scribe, learned priest (Dan. 1:20; 2:10, etc.).

Versed in incantations, in occult practices (Ex. 7:11), in the interpretation of dreams (Dn. 2:10). These magicians were numerous: in Egypt (Gen. 41:8; 2 Tim. 3:8 gives the names of Jannes and Jambres, who opposed Moses), in Assyria (Nah. 3:4), in Babylon (Is. 47:9; Dan. 2:2), in Canaan and in the other pagan countries (Deut. 18:10).

Another Hebrew term, “hashshãph,” translates as “enchanters” or “sorcerers.” It designates the sorcerers and exorcists who used magical formulas to make evil spirits help them, or to force them to stop tormenting their victims.

The desired supernatural effects had to do with men, animals and the forces of nature. The texts do not always clearly distinguish between enchantment and divination (Num. 23:23; 24:1; 2 Kings 17:17; Jer. 27:9) and other forms of occultism, all of which are formally prohibited by the law of Moses (Deut. 18:9-14), in which the penalty for sorcerers, as for those who summoned the dead, was death (Ex. 22:18; Lev. 20:6, 27).

The prophets foretold the punishment that would come upon them (Mi. 5:11; Mal. 3:5; etc.; cf. Josephus, Life 31; Ant. 17:4, 1; and Wis. 12:4-6). The NT shows the same practices, and in its pages appear: Simon the Magus (Acts 8:9, 11); Bar-jesus (Acts 13:6, 8); in Ephesus, the Jewish exorcists and the adepts of the "magical arts" and their books of immense price (Acts 19:13, 19).

Sorcery is manifestly a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:20). In Rev. 9:21, the term translated "witchcraft" is "pharmakeia," suggesting the use of drugs and mysterious filters; The punishment of these diabolical drugs is eternal damnation (Rev. 18:23; 21:8; 22:15).