Exodus 22:18
“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Exodus 22:18
“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Hebrew word translated "sorceress" often describes someone who uses charms or mutters incantations, suggesting a reliance on manipulative, secretive arts rather than open dependence on God. This command, therefore, highlights that any practice which draws people away from trusting God and into secret pacts or reliance on hidden powers is seen as a direct rebellion against His covenant. It reveals that this isn't just about punishment, but about safeguarding the purity of Israel's relationship with God.
This command appears in the "Book of the Covenant," a collection of laws and judgments given to Israel after the Exodus. It follows laws concerning property damage and restitution, and immediately precedes prohibitions against bestiality and idolatry. The placement highlights that practices associated with sorcery were seen as violations of God's covenant, akin to other serious offenses against communal order and divine worship.
This verse sounds incredibly severe to our modern ears. Why did God command such a drastic punishment for practicing witchcraft?
Rebellion Against God's Authority
The Old Testament law was establishing a holy nation, set apart for God. Witchcraft, in any form, was seen as a direct rebellion against God's sovereignty and exclusive right to knowledge and power.
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The verse specifically mentions 'a sorceress.' Does this mean the law only applied to women, or is there more to it?
Practical Reality and Equal Application
While the word used here is feminine, the scholars suggest a couple of reasons for this phrasing, but ultimately the principle applies broadly.
Understand the original words
kashaph · Hebrew Verb (participle used as noun)
A person who uses occult arts, such as magic, witchcraft, or divination, which were strictly forbidden in Israel as they rely on powers other than Yahweh and are associated with idolatry.
This passage echoes the same prohibition against seeking out those who practice forbidden arts, highlighting the consistent emphasis on purity in worship throughout the Old Testament law.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12This passage provides a broader list of forbidden practices related to divination and sorcery, reinforcing that Exodus 22:18 is part of a larger Mosaic framework against engaging with the occult.
1 Samuel 28:3-25The story of Saul consulting the witch of Endor demonstrates the danger and ultimate futility of seeking knowledge or power from such forbidden sources, illustrating the very practices condemned in Exodus.
Galatians 5:19-21The New Testament also lists 'sorcery' among the works of the flesh, showing that while the Mosaic penalty is not applied, the corrupting nature of such practices remains a concern for spiritual well-being.
bensonExodus 22:18: "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."
Exodus 22:18 . Witchcraft not only gives that honour to the devil which is due to God alone, but bids defiance to the divine providence, wages war with God’s government, puts his work into the devil’s hand, expecting him to do good and evil. By our law, consulting, covenanting with, invocating, or employing any evil spirit to any intent whatever, and exercising any enchantment, charm, or sorcery, whereby hurt shall be done to any person, is…
calvinExodus 22:18: "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."
- Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. In these passages the punishment of those is appointed who should in any respect violate the worship of God. We have lately seen how severely God avenged apostasy from the faith; but now He touches upon certain particular points when religion is not professedly forsaken, but some corruption is introduced, whereby its purity is affected. The first passage denounces capital punishment upon witches; b…
The Hebrew word translated "sorceress" often describes someone who uses charms or mutters incantations, suggesting a reliance on manipulative, secretive arts rather than open dependence on God. This command, therefore, highlights that any practice which draws people away from trusting God and into secret pacts or reliance on hidden powers is seen as a direct rebellion against His covenant. It reveals that this isn't just about punishment, but about safeguarding the purity of Israel's relationship with God.
This command appears in the "Book of the Covenant," a collection of laws and judgments given to Israel after the Exodus. It follows laws concerning property damage and restitution, and immediately precedes prohibitions against bestiality and idolatry. The placement highlights that practices associated with sorcery were seen as violations of God's covenant, akin to other serious offenses against communal order and divine worship.
This command appears in the "Book of the Covenant," a collection of laws and judgments given to Israel after the Exodus. It follows laws concerning property damage and restitution, and immediately precedes prohibitions against bestiality and idolatry. The placement highlights that practices associated with sorcery were seen as violations of God's covenant, akin to other serious offenses against communal order and divine worship.
"“You shall not permit a sorceress to live." — The Hebrew word translated "sorceress" often describes someone who uses charms or mutters incantations, suggesting a reliance on manipulative, secretive arts rather than open dependence on God. This…
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