### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun קֶסֶם (qeçem, `{{H7081}}`) is derived from the verbal root קָסַם (qasam, `{{H7080}}`), meaning "to practice divination" or "to divine." As a noun, qeçem primarily refers to the act or result of divination, encompassing a range of related concepts that are generally condemned in the biblical text.
Its semantic range includes:
* **Divination:** The most common and direct meaning, referring to the illicit practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means, often through omens, lots, or communication with spirits.
* **Lot:** In some contexts, it can refer to a decision made by casting lots, though this usage is rare and often carries the negative connotation of seeking an answer outside of God's direct revelation.
* **Oracle:** A divine utterance or revelation. While "oracle" can imply legitimate divine pronouncements, within the context of qeçem, it typically refers to the pronouncements obtained through forbidden divinatory practices.
* **(Reward of) Divination:** The payment or fee given for the services of a diviner, highlighting the commercial aspect of such illicit practices.
* **Divine Sentence:** An interesting and somewhat anomalous usage, implying a judgment or decision perceived to have divine authority or origin, particularly in the context of a king's pronouncements.
* **Witchcraft:** A broader term for magical practices, often used interchangeably or in conjunction with divination, indicating a general category of forbidden occult activities.
The overwhelming majority of occurrences of qeçem carry a strong negative connotation, associating it with forbidden practices that stand in direct opposition to the will and sovereignty of Yahweh.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term qeçem appears ten times in the Old Testament, predominantly in contexts of prohibition and condemnation, with one notable exception.
* **Prohibition and Abomination:** The Torah explicitly forbids the practice of qeçem. [[Deuteronomy 18:10]] lists qeçem among the abominable practices of the nations that Israel is to dispossess, stating, "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination (qeçem) or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer." This verse firmly establishes qeçem as an activity abhorrent to God.
* **Association with False Prophets and Illicit Gain:** In [[Numbers 22:7]], the elders of Moab and Midian approach Balaam "with the fees for divination (qeçem) in their hand," illustrating the commercial aspect of such practices and their association with figures outside of God's covenant. [[Ezekiel 13:6]] and [[Ezekiel 13:23]] condemn false prophets who speak "lying divination (qeçem)" and whose visions are empty, emphasizing that their pronouncements are not from the Lord.
* **Equated with Rebellion and Idolatry:** Perhaps one of the most profound theological statements concerning qeçem is found in [[1 Samuel 15:23]], where Samuel declares to Saul, "For rebellion is as the sin of divination (qeçem), and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." This powerful metaphor elevates the sin of rebellion against God's command to the same severe level as engaging in forbidden occult practices and worshipping false gods, underscoring the gravity of qeçem as a rejection of divine authority.
* **Pagan Practices:** [[Ezekiel 21:21]] (Hebrew 21:26) vividly describes the king of Babylon engaging in various forms of qeçem (divination) to decide his military strategy, including shaking arrows, consulting teraphim, and looking at the liver. This passage highlights the specific methods associated with qeçem in pagan cultures and its role in decision-making apart from God. [[Micah 3:7]] speaks of prophets and diviners who will be put to shame because "there is no answer from God," implicitly contrasting their false qeçem with the true word of the Lord.
* **The "Divine Sentence" of a King:** A unique usage appears in [[Proverbs 16:10]]: "A divine sentence (qeçem) is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not transgress in judgment." This verse stands apart from the general condemnation. Here, qeçem seems to refer to a divinely inspired or authoritative pronouncement, implying that a righteous king's judgments are imbued with a wisdom akin to a divine oracle. This suggests a potential neutral or even positive connotation, perhaps indicating the ideal for a king's pronouncements to be guided by divine wisdom, in contrast to the illicit practices condemned elsewhere.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term qeçem is intricately linked to its verbal root קָסַם (qasam, `{{H7080}}`), which describes the act of practicing divination. It belongs to a cluster of Hebrew words that denote various forms of forbidden occult practices, all of which are consistently condemned in the Mosaic Law and prophetic literature. These include:
* אוֹב (ov, `{{H178}}`): Necromancer, one who consults the dead.
* יִדְּעֹנִי (yidde'oni, `{{H3049}}`): Familiar spirit, one who knows by a spirit.
* נָחַשׁ (nachash, `{{H5172}}`): To practice divination, to observe omens.
* מְעוֹנֵן (me'onen, `{{H6049}}`): Soothsayer, one who practices sorcery by clouds or omens.
* כָּשַׁף (kashaf, `{{H3784}}`): To practice witchcraft or sorcery.
* חֶבֶר (chever, `{{H2267}}`): Charm or spell.
In contrast to these forbidden practices, legitimate means of seeking divine guidance in ancient Israel included:
* **Prophecy:** Through נָבִיא (navi, `{{H5030}}`), a true prophet who spoke דָּבָר יְהוָה (davar YHWH), the word of the Lord.
* **The Urim and Thummim:** Priestly instruments (אוּרִים וְתֻמִּים, `{{H224}}` and `{{H8550}}`) used to discern God's will.
* **Dreams and Visions:** When directly given by God to His chosen servants.
The stark contrast between qeçem and these legitimate channels of divine communication highlights the exclusivity of God's revelation and His abhorrence of human attempts to bypass or manipulate His will.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of qeçem is profound and multifaceted, primarily serving as a marker of spiritual infidelity and a challenge to God's sovereignty.
* **Rejection of God's Sovereignty:** At its core, qeçem represents an attempt to gain knowledge or control over the future and hidden matters from sources other than Yahweh. This inherently denies God's exclusive knowledge and authority, implying that human beings can access divine insight or manipulate spiritual forces apart from His revealed will. It is a fundamental breach of the First Commandment, seeking guidance from "other gods."
* **Abomination and Covenant Violation:** The repeated condemnation of qeçem as a תּוֹעֵבָה (to'evah, `{{H8441}}`, "abomination") underscores its detestable nature in God's eyes. Engaging in qeçem was a direct violation of the Mosaic Covenant, a practice characteristic of the pagan nations that Israel was commanded to dispossess and avoid. It was a defilement of the land and the people.
* **Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry:** The powerful parallel drawn in [[1 Samuel 15:23]] between rebellion and qeçem, and stubbornness and idolatry, reveals the deep spiritual implications. Qeçem is not merely a superstitious act but a form of spiritual adultery, an unfaithful turning away from the one true God to illicit spiritual liaisons. It is a practical form of idolatry, giving allegiance and seeking truth from false authorities.
* **False Authority and Deception:** Qeçem is consistently associated with false prophets and deceptive practices. Those who practice qeçem are not speaking God's truth but their own lies or the deceptions of evil spirits. This undermines true prophecy and leads people astray, preventing them from hearing and obeying the authentic word of God.
* **Contrast with True Revelation:** The existence of qeçem in the biblical narrative serves to highlight the purity and authority of God's true revelation. While pagan nations relied on qeçem for guidance, Israel was called to rely solely on God's prophets, His Law, and His direct communication. This contrast emphasizes God's desire for a direct, trust-based relationship, rather than one based on manipulation or superstitious inquiry.
### Summary
The Hebrew word קֶסֶם (qeçem, `{{H7081}}`) primarily denotes the illicit practice of divination, often encompassing its methods, results, and even the fees associated with it. Throughout the Old Testament, qeçem is overwhelmingly condemned as an abomination, a direct violation of God's covenant, and a severe act of spiritual rebellion and idolatry. It represents a human attempt to gain supernatural knowledge or influence outside of God's revealed will, thereby challenging His exclusive sovereignty and sufficiency.
While [[Proverbs 16:10]] offers a unique usage where qeçem might refer to a king's divinely inspired judgment, the overarching biblical witness firmly establishes it as a forbidden practice. Qeçem stands in stark contrast to legitimate divine revelation through prophets and other God-ordained means, underscoring the purity and authority of God's communication and His demand for exclusive worship and trust from His people.
TRV