The Bible Says What???
Lets discuss some of the misrepresentations in the Bible. due to language.
'Anan is usually translated in the KJV as "observer of times" and the NRSV usually renders it as "soothsayer". There is no rational reason why the NRSV departs from this practice as it does in Leviticus 19:26. Literally the term means one who watches clouds. From the context of its usage it would appear it means one who makes predictions by observing the clouds. A more reasonable translation would be "meteorologist"! Shall we condemn the weather man?
What we are dealing with here is a prohibition of predicting the future. Of course any reflection at all will realize that predicting the future is something that is also commended in the Hebrew Scriptures! So the issue must be one of how one predicts the future. The root meaning of 'Anan would suggest that predicting the future based on observation of nature is off limits. Of course that causes us a problem today, for we depend on predictions of the future based on observation of nature.
The Hebrew term Qesem is universally translated as "divination" except for the one time in the KJV. On first glance "divination" seems the same thing as predicting the future. However, it isn't quite. Divination is less about predicting the future than it is about explaining the present and the ramifications the present, if unchanged, will have on the future. Another difference is that 'Anan is based on observation of nature, while Qesem happens through intuition, often using symbolic tools to facilitate that intuitive work. Again, divination is practiced in many times in the Scriptures where it is commended. The Ummin and the Thrummin.
Another term we need to look at is the word 'Ob. Although I have never seen 'Ob translated as "Witch", the most famous 'Ob in the Bible is almost always called "The Witch of Endor." So it is pertinent for us to discuss what the term means.
The KJV would translate is as "one who hath a familiar spirit", while the NRSV prefers "medium". I think "medium" is better for an 'Ob didn't seem to be a person who conversed with one spirit, as say the fictional Mayfair Witches in Anne Rice's books The Witching Hour conversed with the spirit Lasher. Rather an 'Ob was a person who seemed to be able to call up spirits of the dead. Medium is, in my opinion, the best modern term, but it too may be lacking. For when we think of a medium we think of someone who "channels" the spirit of the departed, while the story of the 'Ob of Endor has the dead spirit manifesting to the inquirer rather than being channeled through the 'Ob, but perhaps that story was an unusual case and the 'Ob normally operated in a similar way as modern mediums, like in the film Ghost. Again, however, I do not feel it is communication with spirit that is being warned of but rather communicating with "evil" spirits, this is why we must develop discernment.
So there is no justification in applying the passage about the 'Ob to Witchcraft. Just like what we found out about 'Anan and Qesem, this term is completely mistranslated whenever anyone associates it with Witchcraft.
Other Terms:
The most likely meanings do not appear in any of the English Bible translations currently checked:
Clearly this does NOT describe the majority involved in The Craft, and it would seem that it is not Magic so much that is the problem as what source you are turning to to achieve that magic. Also it is dually noted that Gentiles were not given the Laws of the OT.
Miraculous Healings, Casting out of Demons, is what Jesus sent the Apostles out to do, why is it that the Born Again feel they have the corner market on these gifts? And it is for NO man to judge the Heart of another.
'Anan is usually translated in the KJV as "observer of times" and the NRSV usually renders it as "soothsayer". There is no rational reason why the NRSV departs from this practice as it does in Leviticus 19:26. Literally the term means one who watches clouds. From the context of its usage it would appear it means one who makes predictions by observing the clouds. A more reasonable translation would be "meteorologist"! Shall we condemn the weather man?
What we are dealing with here is a prohibition of predicting the future. Of course any reflection at all will realize that predicting the future is something that is also commended in the Hebrew Scriptures! So the issue must be one of how one predicts the future. The root meaning of 'Anan would suggest that predicting the future based on observation of nature is off limits. Of course that causes us a problem today, for we depend on predictions of the future based on observation of nature.
The Hebrew term Qesem is universally translated as "divination" except for the one time in the KJV. On first glance "divination" seems the same thing as predicting the future. However, it isn't quite. Divination is less about predicting the future than it is about explaining the present and the ramifications the present, if unchanged, will have on the future. Another difference is that 'Anan is based on observation of nature, while Qesem happens through intuition, often using symbolic tools to facilitate that intuitive work. Again, divination is practiced in many times in the Scriptures where it is commended. The Ummin and the Thrummin.
Another term we need to look at is the word 'Ob. Although I have never seen 'Ob translated as "Witch", the most famous 'Ob in the Bible is almost always called "The Witch of Endor." So it is pertinent for us to discuss what the term means.
The KJV would translate is as "one who hath a familiar spirit", while the NRSV prefers "medium". I think "medium" is better for an 'Ob didn't seem to be a person who conversed with one spirit, as say the fictional Mayfair Witches in Anne Rice's books The Witching Hour conversed with the spirit Lasher. Rather an 'Ob was a person who seemed to be able to call up spirits of the dead. Medium is, in my opinion, the best modern term, but it too may be lacking. For when we think of a medium we think of someone who "channels" the spirit of the departed, while the story of the 'Ob of Endor has the dead spirit manifesting to the inquirer rather than being channeled through the 'Ob, but perhaps that story was an unusual case and the 'Ob normally operated in a similar way as modern mediums, like in the film Ghost. Again, however, I do not feel it is communication with spirit that is being warned of but rather communicating with "evil" spirits, this is why we must develop discernment.
So there is no justification in applying the passage about the 'Ob to Witchcraft. Just like what we found out about 'Anan and Qesem, this term is completely mistranslated whenever anyone associates it with Witchcraft.
Other Terms:
- yid'oni: acting as a medium
- sho'el 'ov: communicating with the dead
- qosem q'samim: predicting the future using lots
- m'onen: predicting the future by interpreting signs in nature.
- m'nachesh snake charming
- chover chavar: using knot-tying to perform magic.
- m'khaseph: evil sorcery
- doresh 'el hametim: channeling
The most likely meanings do not appear in any of the English Bible translations currently checked:
- A poisoner: a murderer who uses toxic potions to kill humans by stealth.
- a person who goes around spreading dissension - poisoning people's minds
- A person relying on evil supernatural forces to achieve power and hurt others
Clearly this does NOT describe the majority involved in The Craft, and it would seem that it is not Magic so much that is the problem as what source you are turning to to achieve that magic. Also it is dually noted that Gentiles were not given the Laws of the OT.
Miraculous Healings, Casting out of Demons, is what Jesus sent the Apostles out to do, why is it that the Born Again feel they have the corner market on these gifts? And it is for NO man to judge the Heart of another.
What the Bible says...
One my biggest peeves is the lack of understanding on Bible Translations and version. The Hebrew language as well as Greek and Aramaic just do not translate very well. Two courses of action where taken when translating into English as well as other languages. When a word raised that had no comparable English word, or a word that the translators simple could not quite define they either translated in literally or translated into the closet word possible.
Wonderful example is the Story of Jonah and "whale" . Some places we see whale other big fish, more accurately may have been 'great sea creature'. Errors such as this are numerous through the KJV. I am not negating that the basic message is still there, however, most legalities can be directly linked to inaccurate translations due to mere ignorance and the inability to wholly translate ancient languages into modern terms. With this being said let us examine some common tactics use by many , who wish to use the Bible as a loaded weapon rather than a book of history , mysticism, stories to live by and morals.
First it is important to realize to Bible in Hebrew refers more accurately as....
The term "witchcraft" in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) refers to (mostly) women who used spoken curses to injure other people or destroy their property.
The term, "witchcraft" in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) refers to murderers who use poisons to kill people.
A careful analysis of the original passages in the original Greek, Aramaic and Hebrew, shows that they condemn individuals who:
It is important to note as well that the OT, was given to the Israelites. God chose the descendant as Abraham for a purpose, he was testing and weeding during the Books of Moses. OT clearly states the laws were given to the Israelites, it was to strengthen them for a plan.
Exodus 22:18 KJV:
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live
In the original Hebrew manuscript, the author used the word m'khashepah to describe the person who should be killed. The word means a woman who uses spoken spells to harm others - e.g. causing their death or loss of property. Clearly "evil sorceress" or "woman who does evil magic" would be the most accurate phrases in current common English usage for this verse. The word Kasaph is a root of m'khashepah which we also see over an over in OT. This word means Piosoner . And this could be of mind and body. Remember we are referring ancient times, and one who use piosons or drugs to control and hurt would have been using Toxic Herbs.
Other Passages and their Original Hebrew and Greek Wording:
Leviticus 19:26
KJV: Neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
NRSV: You shall not practice augury or witchcraft.
Hebrew: You shall not whisper enchantments or watch clouds ('Anan).
Deuteronomy 18:10-11
KJV: There shall not be found among you anyone who maketh his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or who useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter of familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
NRSV: No one shall be found among you who makes a son or daughter pass through the fire, or who practices divination, or is a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer, or one who cast spells, or who consults ghosts or spirits, or who seeks oracles from the dead.
Hebrew: There shouldn't be anyone among you who passes a son or daughter through fire, does divination, is a cloud watcher, a whisperer of enchantments, a Kashaph, a joiner of charms, a medium, a knowing one, or a speaker to the dead.
1 Samuel 15:23
KJV: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubborness is as iniquity and idolatry.
NRSV: For rebellion is no less a sin than divination, and stubborness is like iniquity and idolatry.
Hebrew: For rebellion is the same as the sin of divination (Qesem) and giving in to stubborness is the same as iniquity and idolatry.
1 Samuel 28:7
KJV: Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman who hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
NRSV: Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her." His servants said, "There is a medium at Endor."
Hebrew: Then Saul said to his servants, "Go look for a woman who's a medium ('Ob), so I can visit her and question her." His servants said, "There's a medium ('Ob) at Endor."
2 Kings 9:22
KJV: And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the woredoms of thy mother, Jezebel, and her witchcrafts are so many?
NRSV: When Joram saw Jehu, he said, "Is it peace, Jehu?" He answered, "What peace can there be, so long as the many whoredoms and sorceries of your mother Jezebel continue?"
Hebrew : When Joram saw Jehu, he said, "Jehu! Is it Peace?" Jehu answered, "What peace? Not as long as your mother Jezebel's many prostitutions and Keshaphim continue!"
2 Chronicles 33:6
KJV: And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom; also he observed times and used enchantments and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards; he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.
NRSV: He made his son pass through fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom, practiced soothsaying and augury and sorcery, and dealt with mediums and with wizards. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger.
Hebrew: Manasseh passed his son through fire in Ben-Hinnom Valley and practiced cloud watching and whispering of enchantments; he was a Kashaph working with mediums and knowing ones. He did a lot of evil from Yahweh's point of view, which made Yahweh angry.
Micah 5:12
KJV: And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand, and thou shalt have no more soothsayers.
NRSV: And I will cut off sorceries from your hand, and you shall have no more soothsayers;
Hebrew: And I will cut off Keshaphim from your hand, and you shall have no more cloud watchers;
Nahum 3:4
KJV: Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the well-favored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations throught her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts..
NRSV: Because of the countless debaucheries of the prostitute, gracefully alluring, mistress of sorceries, who enslaves nations through her debaucheries, and peoples through her sorceries.
Hebrew : Because of the countless sexual escapades of this prostitute, this extremely desirable mistress of Keshaphim who captured nations through her sexual escapades and peoples through her Keshaphim.
Galatians 5:19-21
KJV: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and the like; of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
NRSV: Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkneness, carousing, and things like these,. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Greek: Now the energies of the flesh are obvious: promiscuity, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, occultist drug use(Pharmakeia), enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these,. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Wonderful example is the Story of Jonah and "whale" . Some places we see whale other big fish, more accurately may have been 'great sea creature'. Errors such as this are numerous through the KJV. I am not negating that the basic message is still there, however, most legalities can be directly linked to inaccurate translations due to mere ignorance and the inability to wholly translate ancient languages into modern terms. With this being said let us examine some common tactics use by many , who wish to use the Bible as a loaded weapon rather than a book of history , mysticism, stories to live by and morals.
First it is important to realize to Bible in Hebrew refers more accurately as....
The term "witchcraft" in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) refers to (mostly) women who used spoken curses to injure other people or destroy their property.
The term, "witchcraft" in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) refers to murderers who use poisons to kill people.
A careful analysis of the original passages in the original Greek, Aramaic and Hebrew, shows that they condemn individuals who:
- Use spoken curses to harm others.
- Use poison to harm others.
It is important to note as well that the OT, was given to the Israelites. God chose the descendant as Abraham for a purpose, he was testing and weeding during the Books of Moses. OT clearly states the laws were given to the Israelites, it was to strengthen them for a plan.
- By translating the original Hebrew and Greek text as "Witch" and "Witchcraft", translators have selected a very confusing word. In the case of the King James Version, this seems to have been done deliberately. King James had a deathly fear of "Witches" . The justification for choosing such a misleading word in a some recent translations, is less clear. The translators must be aware of the exact meaning of the original Hebrew word; yet they selected an English word which was clearly ambiguous and which would make large numbers of people vulnerable to religious hatred.
Exodus 22:18 KJV:
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live
In the original Hebrew manuscript, the author used the word m'khashepah to describe the person who should be killed. The word means a woman who uses spoken spells to harm others - e.g. causing their death or loss of property. Clearly "evil sorceress" or "woman who does evil magic" would be the most accurate phrases in current common English usage for this verse. The word Kasaph is a root of m'khashepah which we also see over an over in OT. This word means Piosoner . And this could be of mind and body. Remember we are referring ancient times, and one who use piosons or drugs to control and hurt would have been using Toxic Herbs.
Other Passages and their Original Hebrew and Greek Wording:
Leviticus 19:26
KJV: Neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
NRSV: You shall not practice augury or witchcraft.
Hebrew: You shall not whisper enchantments or watch clouds ('Anan).
Deuteronomy 18:10-11
KJV: There shall not be found among you anyone who maketh his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or who useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter of familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
NRSV: No one shall be found among you who makes a son or daughter pass through the fire, or who practices divination, or is a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer, or one who cast spells, or who consults ghosts or spirits, or who seeks oracles from the dead.
Hebrew: There shouldn't be anyone among you who passes a son or daughter through fire, does divination, is a cloud watcher, a whisperer of enchantments, a Kashaph, a joiner of charms, a medium, a knowing one, or a speaker to the dead.
1 Samuel 15:23
KJV: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubborness is as iniquity and idolatry.
NRSV: For rebellion is no less a sin than divination, and stubborness is like iniquity and idolatry.
Hebrew: For rebellion is the same as the sin of divination (Qesem) and giving in to stubborness is the same as iniquity and idolatry.
1 Samuel 28:7
KJV: Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman who hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
NRSV: Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her." His servants said, "There is a medium at Endor."
Hebrew: Then Saul said to his servants, "Go look for a woman who's a medium ('Ob), so I can visit her and question her." His servants said, "There's a medium ('Ob) at Endor."
2 Kings 9:22
KJV: And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the woredoms of thy mother, Jezebel, and her witchcrafts are so many?
NRSV: When Joram saw Jehu, he said, "Is it peace, Jehu?" He answered, "What peace can there be, so long as the many whoredoms and sorceries of your mother Jezebel continue?"
Hebrew : When Joram saw Jehu, he said, "Jehu! Is it Peace?" Jehu answered, "What peace? Not as long as your mother Jezebel's many prostitutions and Keshaphim continue!"
2 Chronicles 33:6
KJV: And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom; also he observed times and used enchantments and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards; he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.
NRSV: He made his son pass through fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom, practiced soothsaying and augury and sorcery, and dealt with mediums and with wizards. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger.
Hebrew: Manasseh passed his son through fire in Ben-Hinnom Valley and practiced cloud watching and whispering of enchantments; he was a Kashaph working with mediums and knowing ones. He did a lot of evil from Yahweh's point of view, which made Yahweh angry.
Micah 5:12
KJV: And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand, and thou shalt have no more soothsayers.
NRSV: And I will cut off sorceries from your hand, and you shall have no more soothsayers;
Hebrew: And I will cut off Keshaphim from your hand, and you shall have no more cloud watchers;
Nahum 3:4
KJV: Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the well-favored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations throught her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts..
NRSV: Because of the countless debaucheries of the prostitute, gracefully alluring, mistress of sorceries, who enslaves nations through her debaucheries, and peoples through her sorceries.
Hebrew : Because of the countless sexual escapades of this prostitute, this extremely desirable mistress of Keshaphim who captured nations through her sexual escapades and peoples through her Keshaphim.
Galatians 5:19-21
KJV: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and the like; of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
NRSV: Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkneness, carousing, and things like these,. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Greek: Now the energies of the flesh are obvious: promiscuity, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, occultist drug use(Pharmakeia), enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these,. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.