active participle of לָחַשׁ; (the) enchanter; Lochesh, an Israelite; Hallohesh, Haloshesh (includ. the article).
Transliteration:Lôwchêsh
Pronunciation:lo-khashe'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma לוֹחֵשׁ (Lôwchêsh, `{{H3873}}`) is an active participle derived from the verbal root לָחַשׁ (lachash, `{{H3907}}`). The core meaning of the root לָחַשׁ is "to whisper," "to murmur," or "to mutter." As an active participle, לוֹחֵשׁ therefore denotes "one who whispers" or "one who murmurs." However, in a significant number of biblical contexts, this term carries a specialized and often negative connotation, referring to an "enchanter," "charmer," or "whisperer of spells." This usage implies the practice of magic or manipulation through hushed, rhythmic utterances, particularly associated with snake charming or incantations. The Strong's definition also notes its specific use as a proper noun: "Lochesh," an Israelite, and "Hallohesh" or "Haloshesh" when including the definite article. This dual nature as both a descriptive common noun and a proper name is crucial for understanding its biblical occurrences.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While the root לָחַשׁ (lachash, `{{H3907}}`) and its related noun לַחַשׁ (lachash, `{{H3908}}`) appear in various contexts referring to whispering or charming, the specific form לוֹחֵשׁ (Lôwchêsh, `{{H3873}}`) occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible, and specifically as a proper name.
* **[[Nehemiah 10:24]] (Hebrew 10:25):** "Hallohesh" (הַלּוֹחֵשׁ, *ha-Lôwchêsh*) is listed among the heads of the people who sealed the covenant under Nehemiah. The presence of the definite article ("ha-") preceding the name is notable. It could suggest "the whisperer/enchanter" as an ancestral characteristic that became a surname, or perhaps a descriptive element that had become fossilized within the name. In this context, the name simply identifies an individual participating in a significant national covenant, with no implication that he himself engaged in forbidden practices. This highlights how descriptive terms, even those with negative connotations, could evolve into proper nouns over time, losing their original pejorative force.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of לוֹחֵשׁ (Lôwchêsh, `{{H3873}}`) is greatly enhanced by examining its linguistic relatives and broader conceptual field:
* **לָחַשׁ (lachash, `{{H3907}}`):** The verbal root from which לוֹחֵשׁ is derived. This verb is used in contexts of whispering generally ([[2 Samuel 12:19]]) but also specifically for charming or enchanting ([[Jeremiah 8:17]], "serpents, adders, which will not be charmed").
* **לַחַשׁ (lachash, `{{H3908}}`):** A noun derived from the same root, meaning "whisper," "charm," or "incantation" ([[Isaiah 26:16]]). It appears in [[Isaiah 3:3]] in a list of those who would be removed from Judah, including "the charmer" (לַחַשׁ).
* **קֶסֶם (qesem, `{{H7081}}`):** A broader term for "divination" or "enchantment," often used in conjunction with other forbidden practices.
* **כָּשַׁף (kashaph, `{{H3784}}`):** To practice "sorcery" or "witchcraft," a more general term for magical arts.
* **אֹב (ʾov, `{{H178}}`):** A term for a "medium" or "necromancer," one who consults the dead.
The common thread among these related terms is the condemnation of practices that seek to manipulate spiritual forces or gain knowledge outside of God's revealed will. The act of "whispering" is associated with the secretive, often illicit, nature of such practices.
### Theological Significance
While the single occurrence of לוֹחֵשׁ (Lôwchêsh, `{{H3873}}`) is as a proper name, its etymological root, לָחַשׁ (lachash, `{{H3907}}`), carries profound theological significance regarding Israel's relationship with God and the prohibition of occult practices.
The Mosaic Law and prophetic tradition consistently condemn enchantment, charming, and all forms of sorcery. Deuteronomy [[Deuteronomy 18:10-12]] explicitly forbids anyone among Israel from practicing divination, interpreting omens, sorcery, or charming. This prohibition underscores Yahweh's exclusive sovereignty as the source of all power, revelation, and blessing. Reliance on "whisperers" or "charmers" was a direct affront to God's authority and a dangerous deviation from covenant faithfulness.
Prophets like Isaiah denounced those who relied on such practices ([[Isaiah 3:3]]), seeing them as a symptom of spiritual apostasy and a lack of trust in the Lord. The contrast is stark: God's communication is open, authoritative, and life-giving, while human enchantment is secretive, manipulative, and ultimately a path to spiritual deception and death.
The appearance of "Hallohesh" in Nehemiah's list suggests that, by that time, the name had likely lost its original pejorative force, becoming merely an identifying surname, much like "Smith" or "Baker" today. This reflects the dynamic nature of language and the way descriptive terms can become proper nouns over generations. Nevertheless, the underlying theological principle against the practices associated with the root לָחַשׁ remained central to Israelite faith.
### Summary
The Hebrew term לוֹחֵשׁ (Lôwchêsh, `{{H3873}}`) is an active participle of לָחַשׁ (lachash, `{{H3907}}`), primarily meaning "one who whispers" but specifically denoting an "enchanter" or "charmer" in a biblical context. Despite its etymological connection to forbidden magical practices, its sole occurrence in the Hebrew Bible is as the proper name "Hallohesh" ([[Nehemiah 10:24]]), identifying an individual who sealed the covenant during the time of Nehemiah. This illustrates how a descriptive term, even one with negative connotations, could transition into a personal name over time, losing its original pejorative force. Theologically, the root לָחַשׁ and its related terms highlight God's severe condemnation of enchantment and all forms of sorcery, emphasizing His sole authority as the source of power and truth, and demanding exclusive trust in Him rather than in human or demonic manipulation.
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