“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that the original Hebrew word for "sorceress" literally means "a mutterer of charms," pointing to the vocal and perhaps even incantatory nature of the forbidden practices. It suggests that the prohibition wasn't just about secret dealings, but also about audible expressions that mimicked or claimed divine power. This reveals that the act itself, with its outward pronouncements, was seen as a direct challenge to God's spoken word and authority.
“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a section of laws called the Covenant Code, laying out specific commands for Israel's life after their liberation from Egypt. It follows laws related to sexual offenses and precedes prohibitions against oppression and other religious violations. The context emphasizes that these laws are designed to maintain Israel's distinct identity and relationship with God as they enter the Promised Land.
Why was witchcraft considered so serious in ancient Israel, deserving the harshest penalty? It wasn't just about superstition; it was a fundamental rebellion.
This command, "You shall not permit a sorceress to live," wasn't a minor offense. It was a capital crime because it was seen as a direct assault on God's sovereignty.
The Core Issue:
The verse uses a word for 'witch' that's in the feminine form. Does this mean the law only applied to women? Not at all.
While the Hebrew word used here is in the feminine gender, scholars are clear: this law was not limited to women.
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Understanding the Language:
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 expands on the types of forbidden practices, including sorcery and consulting spirits, directly aligning with the prohibition in Exodus and showing God's consistent stance against these practices.
Leviticus 19:31This verse warns against 'mediums' and 'diviners,' reinforcing the broader theme of avoiding any involvement with the occult that could lead people away from the Lord.
1 Samuel 15:23This passage equates rebellion with witchcraft, highlighting the profound spiritual implication of sorcery as a rejection of God's authority and sovereignty.
Galatians 5:20This New Testament passage lists 'sorcery' as a work of the flesh, showing that while the Mosaic penalty is not repeated, the spiritual nature of the sin remains a concern for believers.
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…
This verse highlights that the original Hebrew word for "sorceress" literally means "a mutterer of charms," pointing to the vocal and perhaps even incantatory nature of the forbidden practices. It suggests that the prohibition wasn't just about secret dealings, but also about audible expressions that mimicked or claimed divine power. This reveals that the act itself, with its outward pronouncements, was seen as a direct challenge to God's spoken word and authority.
This verse is part of a section of laws called the Covenant Code, laying out specific commands for Israel's life after their liberation from Egypt. It follows laws related to sexual offenses and precedes prohibitions against oppression and other religious violations. The context emphasizes that these laws are designed to maintain Israel's distinct identity and relationship with God as they enter the Promised Land.
This verse is part of a section of laws called the Covenant Code, laying out specific commands for Israel's life after their liberation from Egypt. It follows laws related to sexual offenses and precedes prohibitions against oppression and other religious violations. The context emphasizes that these laws are designed to maintain Israel's distinct identity and relationship with God as they enter the Promised Land.
"“You shall not permit a sorceress to live." — This verse highlights that the original Hebrew word for "sorceress" literally means "a mutterer of charms," pointing to the vocal and perhaps even incantatory nature of the forbidden practices. It su…
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Last reviewed October 2026