Enchantments
(1.) The rendering of Hebrew latim_ or _lehatim, which means “something covered,” “muffled up;” secret arts, tricks (Ex 7:11, Ex 7:22; Ex 8:7, Ex 8:18), by which the Egyptian magicians imposed on the credulity of Pharaoh.
(2.) The rendering of the Hebrew keshaphim, “muttered spells” or “incantations,” rendered “sorceries” in Isa 47:9, Isa 47:12, i.e., the using of certain formulae under the belief that men could thus be bound.
(3.) Hebrew lehashim, “charming,” as of serpents (Jer 8:17; comp. Ps 58:5).
(4.) Hebrew nehashim, the enchantments or omens used by Balaam (Num 24:1); his endeavouring to gain omens favourable to his design.
(5.) Hebrew heber (Isa 47:9, Isa 47:12), “magical spells.” All kinds of enchantments were condemned by the Mosaic law (Lev 19:26; Deut 18:10–12). (See Divination.)
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
