Wizard, Magician
Wizard, Magician
The word for wizard is Idoni (), literally, ‘knowing one.’ They are always ranked with those who deal in Ob, and are to be regarded with equal abhorrence. They are referred to in Lev 19:31; Lev 20:6; Lev 20:27; Deu 18:11; 1Sa 28:3; 1Sa 28:9; 2Ki 21:6; 2Ki 23:24; 2Ch 33:6; Isa 8:19; Isa 19:3. These ‘knowing’ persons were no doubt wise in their generation, ‘prudent’ like the diviners, and skilled in the art of preying up on the follies and superstitions of those who came into contact with them. The LXX rendering is usually , an enchanter, or , a knowing person.
The magicians were Chartummim (), a name which is supposed to be derived from Charath, a graving tool (compare the name Khartoum). The LXX sometimes calls them , explainers. Perhaps they were engravers of hieroglyphics, and possessed of that secret knowledge which these sculptures represented, and which they communicated to the people with considerable reserve. Although at first sight it might be supposed from the facts narrated concerning them in the Book of Exodus that they were possessed of preternatural powers, yet it may well be doubted if they had access to any other secret influences than those which natural science is daily bringing to light, or than those by means of which the Indian juggler astounds his European spectators.