מִקְסָם
an augury
Definition
מִקְסָם refers specifically to a type of divination or augury, a practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means. In the Bible, it consistently carries a negative connotation, representing a forbidden occult practice that stands in opposition to seeking guidance from Yahweh. The word appears only in Ezekiel, where it is used to describe the false and deceptive prophecies of those who claim to speak for God but are actually following their own imaginations or lying spirits (Ezekiel 12:24, 13:7). It denotes a fabricated or illegitimate form of revelation.
Biblical Usage
This noun is used exclusively in the book of Ezekiel, occurring only twice. In both instances, it is used by the prophet to condemn the false prophets in Israel. In Ezekiel 12:24, God declares there will be no more false vision or flattering divination (מִקְסָם) among the people of Israel. In Ezekiel 13:7, the prophet asks rhetorically if the false prophets have not seen a false vision and uttered lying divination (מִקְסָם). The usage is uniformly polemical, associating the practice with deception and rebellion against God's true word.
Etymology
מִקְסָם is a noun derived from the root verb קָסַם (qāsam, H7080), which means 'to practice divination, to enchant.' This root is used for various forbidden magical arts in the Old Testament. The noun form מִקְסָם specifically denotes the product or practice of that divination—the augury itself. Cognate words exist in other Semitic languages, like Arabic, with similar meanings related to dividing or allotting, which may hint at the idea of 'determining' fate.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights a major boundary in biblical faith: the exclusive right of Yahweh to reveal truth and the future. Practices like מִקְסָם were strictly forbidden (Deuteronomy 18:10-14) because they represented a human attempt to control or access the supernatural apart from God's covenant relationship and prophetic word. Understanding this term enriches reading by clarifying the severity of the conflict in Ezekiel between true and false prophecy, showing that false prophecy was not just incorrect but was an act of spiritual adultery, seeking revelation from sources other than God.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, divination (מִקְסָם) was a widespread and culturally accepted practice for seeking guidance from the gods, involving techniques like observing omens in animal entrails, celestial events, or casting lots. Israel was called to be distinct, relying solely on Yahweh's revelation through prophets, the Urim and Thummim (for priests), and later the written law. Therefore, what was a normal religious activity in surrounding cultures was, for Israel, a grave sin and a violation of the first commandment, representing a lack of trust in God's provision of guidance.
קֶסֶם (qesem, H7081) — A very close synonym, also meaning 'divination' or 'oracle,' often used in parallel or in the same condemnatory contexts (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10, Micah 3:6). נָחַשׁ (nāḥaš, H5172) — Refers more specifically to divination by observing signs, omens, or enchantment. אוֹב (ʾôḇ, H178) — Refers to necromancy or consulting spirits of the dead, a specific subset of forbidden divination. תְּרָפִים (terāphîm, H8655) — Household idols often used in seeking divinatory guidance.
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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