Beloved of YHWH, when we think of witchcraft, we tend to think of spells, potions, and crystal balls. We picture black cats, broomsticks, and cauldrons. But sorcery is not primarily about rituals and incantations.
In Exodus 22:18 — “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” —
We have truly missed the very essence of what "witchcraft" is. Because of this lack of understanding, we become subdued by Witchcraft in the assembly of YHWH.
Once your eyes open to this act of rebellion, you should not allow it to assemble among you.
Shemu’ĕl Aleph (1 Samuel) 15:23 TS2009 “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of יהוה, He also does reject you as sovereign.”
The ROOT of all witchcraft — the very ESSENCE of what YHWH hates is this:
The exaltation of self-will above His will.
What is Witchcraft? Let’s begin with the Hebrew word itself.
Exodus 22:18
ֶּהפָה לֹא תְחַיֵּׁמְכַש
“Mekashephah lo techayeh”
“You shall not allow a sorceress to live.”
The word translated “witch” or “sorceress” is mekashephah.
Kashaph is the root pronounced kaw-SHAF.
According to Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary (#H3784):
Kashaph — “properly, to whisper a spell; to enchant; to practice magic.”
The Ancient Pictographic Hebrew:
In ancient Hebrew, every letter was originally a PICTURE — a pictograph that carried meaning.
The word כָּשַׁף (kashaph) is composed of three letters:
1] KAPH - Picture of an OPEN PALM. To Bend, curve, tame or subdue, and most importantly, as one who has been BENT to another’s will.
The very FIRST letter of “witchcraft” carries the meaning of BENDING SOMEONE OR SOMETHING TO YOUR WILL.
2] SHIN - Picture of two FRONT TEETH.
Sharp (cutting edge of teeth).
Press (function of teeth when chewing).
Destroy (what teeth do to food; force, pressure, and destruction).
3] PEY - Picture of a MOUTH.
Speak (function of the mouth).
Blow (breath proceeding from the mouth).
Edge (the lips at the edge of the mouth which speaks of words, declarations, and spoken commands).
Put It Together.
When you combine the three pictographs, you get a stunning revelation:
KAPH + SHIN + PEY =
👉🏼 “To BEND reality through FORCEFUL WORDS.”
👉🏼 “To use SPOKEN DECLARATIONS to PRESS and SUBDUE something to YOUR WILL”
👉🏼 “The MOUTH that DESTROYS in order to BEND things to the speaker’s desire”
The witch — the mekashephah — is one who uses the power of WORDS and DECLARATIONS to FORCE reality to BEND to HER will. She SPEAKS. She DECLARES. She COMMANDS. Not in alignment with YHWH's will, but in opposition to it. She whispers her spell — her WORDS — and expects creation to BEND.
The renowned Hebrew scholar Gesenius, in his Hebrew Lexicon, notes that "kashaph" in its original usage meant:
“To pray, to offer prayers or worship — but in Hebrew, its usage is restricted only to the worship of idols.”
The sorcerer is not just casting spells, the sorcerer is PRAYING TO A FALSE SOURCE to accomplish what YHWH has not ordained. The witch is engaged in WORSHIP, but worship of SELF, worship of DEMONS, worship of anything that will bend reality to HER desires.
Witchcraft are prayers called "spells." It is a form of worship.
Think about it. The witch PRAYS — but she calls it a “spell.” The witch WORSHIPS — but she worships the generic god or goddess, one that she’s created that cares about her own will more than the Sovereign's eternal plan. The witch PETITIONS a spiritual power — but for HER purposes, not YHWH's. The witch makes DECLARATIONS — but declarations designed to BEND reality to HER desires.
What is a "spell"?
It is a PRAYER directed at the wrong source for the wrong purpose.
What is an "incantation"?
It is WORSHIP offered to anything that will give the worshipper what she wants.
The difference between a prayer and a spell is not the FORM — it is the HEART.
🕯The prayer says: “Father, THY will be done. Align MY desires with YOUR purposes.”
🕯The spell says: “Powers of the universe, bend reality to MY will. Give me what I want.”
Both are worship. Both are petition. Both are spiritual declarations. But one SUBMITS to the Almighty YHWH. The other DEMANDS from the universe, god or goddess, or anyone out there that will obey mankind's demands and prophesies.
One aligns with the Creator. The other attempts to MANIPULATE creation.
YHWH hates worship that runs contrary to His will. It is not that the witch does not believe in spiritual power. It is not that the witch does not pray. It is not that the witch does not worship. The witch believes, prays, and worships — but all of it is aimed at self-will rather than YHWH's will. And THAT is the abomination.
[Credit Excerpts: First Harvest Ministries]
