King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"You are not to permit a sorceress to live.
Berean Standard Bible:
You must not allow a sorceress to live.
American Standard Version:
Thou shalt not suffer a sorceress to live.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thou shalt not suffer a witch{H3784} to live{H2421}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 20:27
- A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood [shall be] upon them.
Deuteronomy 18:10
- There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Deuteronomy 18:11
- Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Leviticus 20:6
- And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
1 Samuel 28:3
- Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
Leviticus 19:31
- Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I [am] the LORD your God.
Revelation 22:15
- For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
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Commentary for Exodus 22:18
1. **Themes**: Exodus 22:18 reflects themes of holiness, purity, and the prohibition of pagan practices within the Israelite community. The verse is part of a larger set of laws given by God to Moses, which were meant to govern the social and religious life of the Israelites. The command not to suffer a witch to live underscores the importance of exclusive worship of Yahweh and the rejection of any form of sorcery or pagan magic, which were common in surrounding ancient Near Eastern cultures.
2. **Historical Context**: This verse is set within the context of the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites after their Exodus from Egypt and while they were in the wilderness, preparing to enter the Promised Land. The laws were intended to distinguish the Israelites from their neighbors by establishing a unique religious and moral code. The prohibition against witchcraft must be understood in light of the ancient world's belief in the power of magic and the occult. Witchcraft was often associated with the worship of other gods and was seen as a direct affront to the sovereignty of Yahweh. By forbidding witchcraft, the law sought to protect the community from spiritual corruption and to maintain the integrity of their covenant relationship with God.
The verse has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, sometimes with tragic consequences, such as during the witch trials in Europe and North America, where it was cited to justify the persecution and execution of individuals accused of witchcraft. Modern interpretations often focus on the underlying principles of the text, emphasizing the importance of spiritual integrity and the rejection of practices that could lead the community away from God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3784
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּשַׁף
Transliteration: kâshaph
Pronunciation: kaw-shaf'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to whisper aspell, i.e. to inchant or practise magic; sorcerer, (use) witch(-craft). - Strong's Number: H2421
There are 235 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָיָה
Transliteration: châyâh
Pronunciation: khaw-yaw'
Description: a primitive root (compare חָוָה, חָיָה); to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive; keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole.