Witch
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The term witch refers to a female practitioner of magic, derived from the Hebrew mekhashshepheh, and appears in Exodus 22:18 and Deuteronomy to describe individuals engaged in prohibited occult practices.
What is the meaning of Witch in the Bible?
The term witch refers to a female practitioner of magic, derived from the Hebrew mekhashshepheh, and appears in Exodus 22:18 and Deuteronomy to describe individuals engaged in prohibited occult practices.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the biblical definition of a witch clarifies the specific legal and social boundaries regarding forbidden occult activities in ancient Israel, helping readers distinguish ritual enchantment from other forms of magic.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Witch in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Witch clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.