from נָחַשׁ; an incantation or augury; enchantment.
Transliteration:nachash
Pronunciation:nakh'-ash
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun נַחַשׁ (nachash, `{{H5173}}`) is derived from the verb נָחַשׁ (nachash, `{{H5172}}`), which signifies "to practice divination, observe signs, practice augury, prognosticate." Consequently, the noun נַחַשׁ primarily denotes an "incantation," "augury," or "enchantment." Its core meaning encompasses the various forms of illicit divinatory practices, often involving the interpretation of omens, the use of spells, or magical arts to discern hidden knowledge or influence events. The semantic range of נַחַשׁ extends to any act that seeks to manipulate or predict the future through means other than divine revelation, thereby challenging God's exclusive authority. It is consistently presented in the biblical text as a practice condemned by YHWH.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term נַחַשׁ (nachash) and its verbal root appear in several significant biblical passages, predominantly in contexts where such practices are explicitly forbidden or shown to be impotent against God's will.
* In [[Numbers 23:23]], the prophet Balaam, hired to curse Israel, declares, "For there is no enchantment (נַחַשׁ) against Jacob, no divination against Israel; now it shall be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘What has God wrought!’" This powerful declaration asserts the futility of human-devised enchantments when confronted with God's sovereign plan and protection over His chosen people. It highlights that divine power utterly overrides any attempt at magical manipulation.
* The Mosaic Law strictly prohibits such practices. [[Leviticus 19:26]] states, "You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens (לֹא תְנַחֲשׁוּ) or tell fortunes." Here, the verbal form of the root is used, directly forbidding the act of practicing augury. This command is situated within a broader context of laws establishing the holiness and distinctiveness of the Israelite people, setting them apart from the pagan practices of surrounding nations.
* Similarly, [[Deuteronomy 18:10]] lists various abominable practices to be avoided: "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens (וּמְנַחֵשׁ), or a sorcerer..." This passage underscores the severity of the prohibition, associating "interpreting omens" with other detestable acts that violate the covenant with YHWH. The consistent contextual usage in these legal texts emphasizes that נַחַשׁ represents a form of illicit communication with spiritual forces or an attempt to bypass God's unique authority as the revealer of truth.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation is to the root verb נָחַשׁ (nachash, `{{H5172}}`), from which the noun is derived, signifying the *act* of divining.
נַחַשׁ often appears in close proximity to or in parallel with other terms describing forbidden divinatory or magical practices, forming a cluster of concepts that the Israelite law prohibits:
* קֶסֶם (qesem, `{{H7081}}`): "divination," often by lots or oracles.
* מְעוֹנֵן (meʿōnen, `{{H6049}}`): "soothsayer," "practicer of magic arts," often associated with observing clouds or specific times.
* מְכַשֵּׁף (mekashsheph, `{{H3784}}`): "sorcerer," "magician," one who practices witchcraft.
* דֹּרֵשׁ אֶל הַמֵּתִים (doresh el hammethim): "one who consults the dead" (necromancer).
It is also important to note the noun for "serpent," נָחָשׁ (nachash, `{{H5175}}`), which shares the same consonantal root and transliteration. While semantically distinct from "enchantment," the shared root may suggest a thematic connection. The serpent in the Garden of Eden ([[Genesis 3:1-7]]) is associated with cunning, deception, and the allure of forbidden knowledge, which could be seen as a form of "enchantment" or "divination" in a broader sense, leading humanity astray from God's direct command. This thematic link, though not a direct etymological one for H5173, highlights the pervasive biblical concern with illicit wisdom and power.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of נַחַשׁ is profound, touching upon several core doctrines of the Old Testament:
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The unequivocal prohibition of נַחַשׁ fundamentally upholds the absolute sovereignty of YHWH. Any attempt to discern the future or manipulate events through augury is an affront to God's unique omniscience and omnipotence. It implies a reliance on other powers or a belief that human actions can circumvent or control divine will, thereby challenging God's exclusive prerogative as the sole revealer of truth and controller of destiny.
* **Covenantal Holiness and Distinction:** For Israel, avoiding נַחַשׁ was a crucial aspect of their covenantal holiness and their distinct identity among the nations. These practices were characteristic of the idolatrous cultures from whom Israel was to remain separate and whom they were commanded to dispossess ([[Deuteronomy 18:9-12]]). Adherence to this prohibition marked Israel as a people set apart for YHWH.
* **Trust and Obedience:** The condemnation of נַחַשׁ calls Israel to radical trust in God alone. Instead of seeking knowledge or security through illicit means, they were to rely on God's revealed word, His prophets, and His direct guidance. It is a call to faithful obedience to His commandments, rather than resorting to magical arts to gain control or insight.
* **Authentic Revelation vs. False Authority:** Practices of נַחַשׁ represent a false source of authority and truth. They promise knowledge or power outside of God's revealed will, leading people away from true worship and into spiritual deception. The Bible consistently portrays these practices as empty and ultimately powerless against God's decree, as demonstrated in Balaam's inability to curse Israel through enchantment ([[Numbers 23:23]]).
### Summary
The Hebrew noun נַחַשׁ (nachash, `{{H5173}}`) denotes an "incantation," "augury," or "enchantment," stemming from the verb "to practice divination" (`{{H5172}}`). Biblical occurrences, notably in [[Numbers 23:23]] and the legal codes of [[Leviticus 19:26]] and [[Deuteronomy 18:10]], consistently present נַחַשׁ as a forbidden and ultimately impotent practice. Its condemnation underscores the absolute sovereignty of YHWH, emphasizing Israel's unique covenantal holiness and their call to exclusive trust in God. The prohibition against נַחַשׁ serves as a theological statement, affirming that true knowledge and security derive solely from God's revealed word and His divine will, rather than from human attempts to manipulate or discern the future through illicit means.
TRV