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Sorcerer; Sorcery

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Sorcerer; Sorcery in the Bible?

Sorcery involves the use of magic, divination, or witchcraft to manipulate spiritual forces, practices that were frequently prohibited in ancient Israelite law and prophetic literature.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding sorcery clarifies the biblical distinction between legitimate reliance on divine revelation and the forbidden pursuit of power through occult means, highlighting the theological boundaries of ancient Israelite faith.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Sorcerer; Sorcery. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Sorcerer; Sorcery in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Sorcerer; Sorcery clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Sorcerer; Sorcery." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sorcerer-sorcery/
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