Wizard
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Wizard in the Bible?
A practitioner of divination or magic, often associated with necromancy or consulting spirits. The Hebrew term 'ob' (from which 'wizard' is often translated) originally denoted a pit or source of water, metaphorically extending to one who accesses hidden knowledge or spirits through a medium.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the role of the wizard clarifies the biblical prohibition against necromancy, revealing how Israelite law sought to distinguish Yahwistic worship, mediated through prophets and priests, from the popular folk practices of consulting the dead or other spirits for guidance.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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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.