Enchantment

The act of casting charms or spells to influence others or to gain insight. Balaam could cast no enchantment against Israel but could only bless them (Numbers 23:23). Enchanters were among the wise men of Nebuchadnezzar’s court. Daniel and his three friends were judged to be ten times wiser than the enchanters (Daniel 1:20). The enchanters were not able to recall King Nebuchadnezzar’s forgotten dream (2:2–27). They could not interpret his second dream, either (4:7). Later, under Belshazzar, they could not read the handwriting that appeared on the palace wall (5:7–15). According to the prophet Isaiah, the great powers of Babylon’s enchantments would not save it from destruction (Isaiah 47:9, 12). The psalmist writes of the wicked "refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell." (Psalms 58:5).

See also Magic; Sorcery.