Enchantments

"(1.) The rendering of Hebrew latim_ or _lehatim, which means" "something covered, "muffled up;" secret arts, tricks (Ex." "7:11, 22; 8:7, 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, 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, 12), "magical spells." All kinds of enchantments were condemned by the Mosaic law (Lev. 19:26; Deut. 18:10-12). (See [186]DIVINATION.)