### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **charṭôm**, represented by `{{H2748}}`, refers to a **magician** or **horoscopist**, a practitioner who was understood to draw magical lines or circles. It appears **11 times** across **10 unique verses** in the Bible, primarily in the courts of powerful foreign kings.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H2748}}` is consistently associated with the royal courts of Egypt and Babylon. In Egypt, Pharaoh `{{H6547}}` summoned his **magicians** to replicate the wonders performed by Moses and Aaron. They successfully used their enchantments `{{H3858}}` to imitate the plagues of blood and frogs ([[Exodus 7:11]], [[Exodus 8:7]]). However, their power proved limited when they were unable to bring forth `{{H3318}}` lice `{{H3654}}`, forcing them to admit, "This is the finger `{{H676}}` of God `{{H430}}`" [[Exodus 8:19]]. Later, they could not even stand `{{H5975}}` before Moses `{{H4872}}` because they were afflicted with boils `{{H7822}}` [[Exodus 9:11]]. Similarly, both Pharaoh and the king of Babylon called upon their **magicians** to interpret troubling dreams `{{H2472}}`, but in both cases, they failed where God's prophets succeeded ([[Genesis 41:8]], [[Daniel 2:2]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller picture of the occult practices contrasted with God's power:
* `{{H2450}}` **châkâm** (wise): This term for a wise man is often used in conjunction with **magicians**, describing the class of royal advisors from which they were drawn. Their failure highlighted the limits of worldly wisdom [[Genesis 41:8]].
* `{{H3784}}` **kâshaph** (sorcerer): Often appearing alongside **magicians**, this term denotes another type of practitioner of magic. These groups were called together by kings seeking supernatural insight ([[Exodus 7:11]], [[Daniel 2:2]]).
* `{{H825}}` **ʼashshâph** (astrologer): A conjurer who was part of the Babylonian court's counsel. They were grouped with the **magicians** as experts whose knowledge was found to be inferior to the wisdom `{{H2451}}` God gave to Daniel [[Daniel 1:20]].
* `{{H2472}}` **chălôwm** (dream): The primary catalyst for the appearance of **magicians** in both Genesis and Daniel. Their inability to interpret these divinely sent dreams `{{H2472}}` exposed the futility of their craft [[Genesis 41:8]].
### Theological Significance
The narrative role of `{{H2748}}` carries significant theological weight, serving to demonstrate key truths about God's sovereignty.
* **Insufficiency of Occult Power:** The **magicians** represent the pinnacle of human and demonic power within pagan empires. Their repeated failures serve as a direct testament to the absolute supremacy of the God of Israel over all other spiritual forces and practices.
* **Confrontation with Divine Authority:** In the Exodus account, the contest between Moses and the **magicians** is a direct confrontation. Their initial successes with enchantments `{{H3909}}` are permitted only to make their ultimate, public failure more dramatic, thereby hardening `{{H2388}}` Pharaoh's heart `{{H3820}}` but proving God's unparalleled power [[Exodus 7:22]].
* **Validation of God's Messengers:** The inability of the world's most esteemed **magicians** and wise men `{{H2450}}` to interpret dreams sets the stage for God's chosen servants, Joseph and Daniel. Their success validates them as true prophets and reveals that their wisdom comes not from secret arts but from God `{{H430}}` alone.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2748}}` is more than a simple term for a magic-user; it defines a specific class of royal occult practitioners whose purpose in Scripture is to act as a foil to the power of God. The **magicians** of Egypt and Babylon, despite their skills in enchantments `{{H3858}}`, are consistently shown to be powerless before the divine authority of the LORD `{{H3068}}`. Their presence and subsequent failure serve to magnify the God of Israel and authenticate His chosen prophets before the eyes of the most powerful rulers on earth `{{H776}}`.
TRV