The Hebrew word kashshâph, represented by H3786, defines a sorcerer or magician. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse within the entirety of the biblical text, highlighting its specific and serious context.
The single appearance of H3786 is found in Jeremiah 27:9. In this passage, the LORD commands the people of Israel not to listen to a variety of spiritual practitioners. The sorcerers are listed alongside prophets, diviners, dreamers, and enchanters who were delivering a false message of rebellion against the king of Babylon. The context is one of divine warning, positioning the sorcerer as a source of counsel that directly contradicts God's declared will and must be rejected.
The word H3786 is understood by its association with other roles that God forbids his people from consulting. Several related words appear in the same warning:
- H5030 nâbîyʼ (a prophet or (generally) inspired man): In this context, it refers to false prophets whose message opposes God's command. True prophets, by contrast, are ordained by God and speak His words (Jeremiah 1:5, Deuteronomy 18:18).
- H7080 qâçam (to divine; divine(-r, -ation)): This primitive root refers to determining outcomes through lots or magical scrolls and is consistently listed among forbidden practices Deuteronomy 18:10.
- H6049 ʻânan (to act covertly, i.e. practise magic; enchanter, soothsayer): This term describes one who practices magic or observes times, another practice explicitly prohibited in scripture Leviticus 19:26.
The theological significance of H3786 is rooted in its clear prohibition. It serves to delineate between legitimate and illegitimate sources of spiritual guidance.
- A Source of Deception: The sorcerer is presented as part of a collective that speaks falsely, promising a different outcome than the one ordained by God. Zechariah 10:2 echoes this, stating that diviners have seen a lie and told false dreams.
- A Call to Hearken to God: The command "hearken not" to these figures Jeremiah 27:9 is a direct application of the principle to shâmaʻ H8085—to hear intelligently and obey—the voice of the LORD above all others Deuteronomy 28:1.
- Condemnation by Association: By being grouped with diviners, enchanters, and false dreamers, the role of the sorcerer is unequivocally marked as a practice of wickedness that provokes God to anger 2 Kings 21:6.
In summary, while H3786 kashshâph is used only once, its meaning is powerful and unambiguous. It identifies a sorcerer as a forbidden source of spiritual information. Its sole context in Jeremiah 27:9 places it firmly in a category of practitioners whose counsel is deceptive and stands in direct opposition to the commands of God. The term reinforces the critical biblical imperative to hearken H8085 only to God and His true prophets, rejecting all forms of illicit divination and sorcery.
TRV