Exodus 22:18-20
“You shall not permit a sorceress to live. “Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death. “Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights that "witchcraft" (or sorcery) was viewed as a direct rebellion against God. It wasn't just about superstition, but about seeking knowledge or power outside of divine authority, effectively renouncing God's sovereignty. The law's severity, even for a feminine form of the word suggesting women were more prone to this, underscores how gravely God viewed this turning away from Him.
This verse is part of a series of laws given to Israel immediately after the covenant is ratified at Mount Sinai. It follows laws concerning civil justice and interpersonal relationships, and immediately precedes laws about sexual morality and proper worship of God. The passage is focused on maintaining the purity of Israel's relationship with God, prohibiting practices that would lead them away from Him and into idolatry or reliance on forbidden spiritual powers.
Why would God command such a severe punishment for practicing witchcraft? This wasn't just about superstition; it was a direct challenge to His authority.
In ancient Israel, the practice of witchcraft, or sorcery, was seen as a profound act of rebellion against God. It wasn't simply about 'making spells'; it was about forming a pact with powers that actively opposed God's rule and sought to undermine His people.
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This law might seem harsh to modern ears. What was its purpose within the community of Israel?
The commandment against sorcery was crucial for the formation and protection of the Israelite nation as a people set apart for God. Its severity underscored the importance of maintaining the purity of their covenant relationship.
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.
zabach · Hebrew Verb
In the context of the Mosaic Law, this refers to the killing of an animal or offering of items to a deity. In true worship, it is an act of atonement or devotion; in idolatry, it is a detestable rebellion against the covenant.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the God of Israel, the covenant-keeping God who revealed Himself to Moses. It signifies the self-existent, eternal, and holy nature of the Almighty.
charam · Hebrew Verb
A term used in the Torah to describe something or someone placed under a divine ban, intended to be completely destroyed or dedicated exclusively to God because of its extreme wickedness or uncleanness.
This passage echoes the condemnation of practicing mediums and wizards, reinforcing the seriousness with which these practices were viewed in ancient Israel.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12This passage provides a more extensive list of forbidden practices, including sorcery, enchantments, and consulting spirits, which helps to contextualize the specific prohibition against 'sorceress' in Exodus.
1 Samuel 28:3-25The account of Saul consulting the witch of Endor vividly illustrates the practice being condemned in Exodus, showing its perceived ability to commune with the dead and its deceptive nature.
Galatians 5:19-21This New Testament passage lists 'sorcery' among the works of the flesh, indicating that the underlying principle of engaging with forbidden spiritual powers continues to be a concern, even if the Old Testament penalties are not applied.
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 "witchcraft" (or sorcery) was viewed as a direct rebellion against God. It wasn't just about superstition, but about seeking knowledge or power outside of divine authority, effectively renouncing God's sovereignty. The law's severity, even for a feminine form of the word suggesting women were more prone to this, underscores how gravely God viewed this turning away from Him.
This verse is part of a series of laws given to Israel immediately after the covenant is ratified at Mount Sinai. It follows laws concerning civil justice and interpersonal relationships, and immediately precedes laws about sexual morality and proper worship of God. The passage is focused on maintaining the purity of Israel's relationship with God, prohibiting practices that would lead them away from Him and into idolatry or reliance on forbidden spiritual powers.
This verse is part of a series of laws given to Israel immediately after the covenant is ratified at Mount Sinai. It follows laws concerning civil justice and interpersonal relationships, and immediately precedes laws about sexual morality and proper worship of God. The passage is focused on maintaining the purity of Israel's relationship with God, prohibiting practices that would lead them away from Him and into idolatry or reliance on forbidden spiritual powers.
"“You shall not permit a sorceress to live. “Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death. “Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction." — This verse highlights that "witchcraft" (or sorcery) was viewed as a direct rebellion against God. It wasn't just about superstition, but about seeking knowledge or power outside of divine authority,…
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