### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מִקְסָם (miqçâm, `{{H4738}}`) is derived from the verbal root קָסַם (qâsam, `{{H7080}}`), which signifies "to practice divination" or "to divine." The nominal form מִקְסָם specifically denotes the act or result of this practice: "divination" or "augury." It refers to the illicit art of foretelling future events or discovering hidden knowledge by means of omens, enchantments, or magical rites, rather than through legitimate divine revelation. The term carries a strong negative connotation within the biblical corpus, consistently associated with practices forbidden by YHWH.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מִקְסָם (miqçâm, `{{H4738}}`) appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, both occurrences found in the book of Ezekiel:
* [[Ezekiel 13:6]]: "They have seen false visions and lying divinations (מִקְסָם), who say, ‘The Lord declares,’ when the Lord has not sent them, and yet they wait for the fulfillment of their word."
* [[Ezekiel 13:7]]: "Have you not seen a false vision and uttered a lying divination (מִקְסָם), when you say, ‘The Lord declares,’ whereas I have not spoken?"
In both instances, מִקְסָם is explicitly linked with "false visions" (חֲזוֹן שָׁוְא) and described as "lying" (שֶׁקֶר). The context of Ezekiel 13 is a scathing indictment of false prophets in Israel who claim to speak for YHWH but instead offer their own deceitful pronouncements, often for personal gain or to soothe the people with false hope. These "lying divinations" are presented as a direct antithesis to the true word of the Lord. The false prophets are condemned for building a "flimsy wall" and "plastering it with whitewash" ([[Ezekiel 13:10]]), symbolizing their superficial and ultimately destructive counsel. The use of מִקְסָם here underscores the deceptive and illegitimate nature of their prophetic claims, highlighting that their source of knowledge is not divine but rather rooted in forbidden, human-initiated practices.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of מִקְסָם is closely related to its verbal root קָסַם (qâsam, `{{H7080}}`) and the more frequently occurring noun קֶסֶם (qeçem, `{{H7081}}`), which also means "divination." All these terms denote forbidden practices.
Other Hebrew words and concepts that fall under the umbrella of illicit occult practices, often condemned alongside מִקְסָם, include:
* כָּשַׁף (kashaph, `{{H3784}}`): To practice sorcery or witchcraft.
* נָחַשׁ (nachash, `{{H5172}}`): To practice divination, often by omens or serpents.
* עוֹנֵן (onēn, `{{H6049}}`): To practice soothsaying or interpret omens.
* יִדְּעֹנִי (yiddə‘oni, `{{H3049}}`): A spiritist or wizard, one who has a familiar spirit.
* אוֹב (ov, `{{H178}}`): A medium or necromancer, one who consults the dead.
* דָּרַשׁ אֶל־הַמֵּתִים (darash el-hammetim): To inquire of the dead (necromancy).
These terms collectively represent various forms of seeking knowledge or power outside of God's prescribed means, often involving pagan deities or demonic forces. They stand in stark contrast to legitimate divine revelation, which comes through true prophets (נָבִיא, navi) who speak the "word of YHWH" (דָּבָר יְהוָה).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מִקְסָם is profound and consistently negative within the biblical narrative:
1. **Strict Prohibition:** The practice of divination, including מִקְסָם, is unequivocally forbidden by YHWH. [[Deuteronomy 18:9-14]] explicitly lists various forms of divination, including קֶסֶם (qeçem, `{{H7081}}`), and declares them an "abomination" to the Lord, warning Israel not to imitate the practices of the nations they dispossessed. This prohibition underscores God's jealousy for His unique authority and His desire for His people to rely solely on Him.
2. **Usurpation of Divine Authority:** Engaging in מִקְסָם represents an attempt to bypass God's sovereign will and His chosen methods of communication (e.g., through prophets, Urim and Thummim, dreams). It is an act of seeking knowledge from sources other than YHWH, thereby challenging His exclusive right to reveal truth and control the future.
3. **Source of Deception and Falsehood:** As seen in Ezekiel 13, מִקְסָם is inherently linked to "lying visions" and "falsehood." It offers deceptive guidance, leading individuals and communities astray from God's path and fostering a false sense of security or understanding.
4. **Idolatry:** By seeking knowledge or power through divination, individuals implicitly acknowledge and appeal to entities or forces other than YHWH. This constitutes a form of idolatry, diverting worship and trust away from the one true God.
5. **Contrast with True Prophecy:** The condemnation of מִקְסָם highlights the distinct nature of true prophecy. While divination is a human-initiated, often manipulative practice, true prophecy is God-initiated, delivered through His chosen messengers, and always consistent with His character and revealed will.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מִקְסָם (miqçâm, `{{H4738}}`) denotes "divination" or "augury," an illicit practice of seeking hidden knowledge or predicting the future through means other than divine revelation. Its limited but significant occurrences in Ezekiel 13 unequivocally condemn it as "lying divination" practiced by false prophets, contrasting it sharply with authentic divine communication. Theologically, מִקְסָם represents a grave offense against YHWH, strictly forbidden as an abomination. It signifies an attempt to usurp divine authority, serves as a source of deception, constitutes a form of idolatry, and stands in direct opposition to the faithful reliance on God's revealed word through His true prophets.
TRV