from the same as חֶרֶט; a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles); magician.
Transliteration:charṭôm
Pronunciation:khar-tome'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term חַרְטֹם (charṭôm, `{{H2748}}`) designates an individual practicing magical arts, most accurately rendered as "magician" or "horoscopist." Its etymology is linked to חֶרֶט (cheret, `{{H2747}}`), meaning an "engraving tool" or "stylus." This connection suggests that the charṭôm were likely involved in drawing, inscribing, or interpreting magical lines, symbols, or astrological charts, aligning with the definition of a horoscopist. The semantic range of charṭôm encompasses those who claimed to possess secret knowledge, interpret dreams and omens, and perform feats of enchantment, often serving in the courts of ancient Near Eastern rulers. They represent a class of learned men, distinct from common sorcerers, who relied on arcane wisdom and occult practices rather than divine revelation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term charṭôm appears exclusively in the books of Genesis, Exodus, and Daniel, always in the context of foreign, pagan courts, specifically those of Egypt and Babylon.
In Genesis, they are encountered during Joseph's time in Egypt. Pharaoh's charṭôm are among the wise men summoned to interpret Pharaoh's troubling dreams ([[Genesis 41:8]]). Their inability to provide an interpretation highlights the limitations of human wisdom and occult practices in discerning divine revelation, setting the stage for Joseph's God-given insight.
The most prominent appearances are in Exodus, where the charṭôm of Egypt directly confront Moses and Aaron. They attempt to replicate the miracles performed by God through Moses, such as turning staffs into serpents ([[Exodus 7:11-12]]) and water into blood ([[Exodus 7:22]]). While initially successful in mimicking some of God's signs, their power is demonstrably inferior and limited. They fail to reproduce the plague of gnats ([[Exodus 8:18-19]]), confessing "This is the finger of God," and are subsequently afflicted by the boils, unable to stand before Moses ([[Exodus 9:11]]). This sequence underscores the absolute sovereignty and power of Yahweh over all human and demonic forces.
In the book of Daniel, the charṭôm are part of the Babylonian intellectual elite, alongside the enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans ([[Daniel 1:20]], [[Daniel 2:2]], [[Daniel 2:10]], [[Daniel 2:27]], [[Daniel 4:7]], [[Daniel 5:11]]). They are repeatedly challenged by Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar to interpret dreams and handwriting, and consistently fail. Daniel, empowered by God, alone possesses the true wisdom and insight to reveal and interpret these divine messages, further emphasizing the futility of the charṭôm's practices in contrast to genuine divine revelation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The charṭôm are often mentioned alongside other categories of those who practice occult arts, highlighting a spectrum of forbidden activities in ancient Israel. These include:
* **Sorcerers/Enchanters (כָּשַׁף, kashaf, `{{H3784}}`):** Those who practice magic, often through spells or drugs.
* **Diviners (קָסַם, qasam, `{{H7080}}`):** Individuals who attempt to predict the future or discover hidden knowledge through various means, such as omens or lots.
* **Spiritists/Necromancers (יִדְּעֹנִי, yidde'oni, `{{H3049}}`):** Those who consult with the dead or familiar spirits.
* **Soothsayers/Augurs (מְעוֹנֵן, me'onen, `{{H6049}}`):** Practitioners of magic arts, often associated with observing omens or clouds.
These terms, including charṭôm, are consistently condemned in the Torah ([[Deuteronomy 18:10-12]]), establishing a clear distinction between the legitimate means of seeking God's will (e.g., through prophets like נָבִיא, navi, `{{H5030}}`) and the illicit practices of pagan cultures. The biblical narrative consistently portrays the charṭôm as representatives of a false wisdom, ultimately powerless before the true God.
### Theological Significance
The recurring presence and ultimate failure of the charṭôm in biblical narratives carry profound theological significance.
First, they serve to **exalt the absolute sovereignty and power of Yahweh**. The confrontations in Exodus vividly demonstrate that no human or demonic power, no matter how skilled or seemingly potent, can withstand the might of the Creator God. Their inability to replicate all of God's plagues, and their eventual suffering alongside the Egyptians, underscores the futility of opposition to the divine will.
Second, the charṭôm highlight the **stark contrast between human wisdom/occult practices and divine revelation**. While they represent the pinnacle of human and demonic knowledge in their respective cultures, they are repeatedly shown to be utterly incapable of discerning God's purposes or interpreting His messages. This emphasizes that true wisdom and knowledge of the future come solely from God, revealed through His chosen servants (e.g., Joseph, Moses, Daniel), not through divination or magic.
Third, the biblical treatment of the charṭôm reinforces God's **prohibition against occult practices**. By consistently portraying them as ineffective and ultimately defeated, the narratives implicitly warn God's people against engaging in such activities. The very existence of charṭôm in pagan courts serves as a theological foil, emphasizing the unique and exclusive relationship God desires with His people, one based on faith and obedience, not on seeking forbidden knowledge.
### Summary
The Hebrew term חַרְטֹם (charṭôm, `{{H2748}}`) refers to court magicians or horoscopists, individuals skilled in occult arts, often associated with drawing or inscribing magical symbols. Found exclusively in the contexts of the Egyptian and Babylonian courts in Genesis, Exodus, and Daniel, the charṭôm represent the pinnacle of pagan wisdom and magical power. However, in every biblical encounter, they are shown to be utterly powerless and ineffective when confronted with the true might and divine revelation of Yahweh. Their repeated failures serve a critical theological purpose: to underscore God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, to highlight the futility and falsehood of human occult practices in contrast to genuine divine wisdom, and to reinforce God's explicit prohibition against such activities for His people. The charṭôm thus stand as a powerful biblical testament to the unparalleled supremacy of the one true God.
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