אַשָּׁף
a conjurer
Definition
The Hebrew word אַשָּׁף refers to a type of court official or wise man in ancient Babylon who practiced occult arts, specifically divination and magical incantation. In the biblical context, it describes a class of Babylonian scholars who interpreted omens, performed enchantments, and advised the king based on their esoteric knowledge. The term is used exclusively in the Book of Daniel, where these 'conjurers' are grouped with other royal advisors like magicians and sorcerers (Daniel 2:2). Their inability to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, in contrast to Daniel's God-given wisdom, highlights the futility of human occult practices compared to divine revelation (Daniel 1:20).
Biblical Usage
This word appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the Book of Daniel within the context of the Babylonian royal court. It is used in lists of King Nebuchadnezzar's official advisors who practiced various forms of divination and magic. In Daniel 2:2, the king summons them alongside magicians, enchanters, and sorcerers to interpret his dream. In Daniel 1:20, Daniel and his friends are found to be ten times wiser than all the king's magicians and conjurers (אַשָּׁפִים), setting up a contrast between human occult wisdom and divine insight.
Etymology
The word likely derives from an Akkadian loanword, 'āšipu,' which referred to a specific class of priest-exorcist or incantation priest in Mesopotamian culture. Its Hebrew root is considered unused but is probably related to the idea of whispering or lisping incantations. This etymology points directly to the practice of reciting magical spells or enchantments, which was the primary function of these officials in the Babylonian court.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it represents human attempts to access hidden knowledge and control fate through occult means, which the Bible consistently condemns. The failure of the conjurers in Daniel 2 underscores a key theme: true wisdom and revelation come only from God, not from pagan magical arts. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Daniel by highlighting the stark contrast between the powerless systems of Babylon and the sovereign power of the God of Israel, who reveals mysteries.
In its original setting, an אַשָּׁף was a respected scholar and ritual practitioner in Mesopotamian society, specializing in interpreting omens (like celestial events or animal entrails), performing protective magic, and reciting incantations to ward off evil spirits. This role was distinct from, but often worked alongside, other types of magicians and priests. The modern understanding of a 'conjurer' as a mere trickster is inadequate; these were serious religious functionaries within the Babylonian worldview, making their failure before Daniel's God all the more dramatic.
חַרְטֹם (charṭōm, H2748) — a magician or scribe, often associated with interpreting dreams and writing magical texts. כַּשָּׂף (kassāph, H3785) — a sorcerer, one who practices witchcraft or casts spells. יִדְּעֹנִי (yiddəʻōnî, H3049) — a spiritist or necromancer, one who consults the dead.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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