Magickal Practices Within the Bible

The pages of the Bible are filled with miracles, magick and mysticism. For the most part, churches and synagogues have emphasized the miracles, while ignoring [and often condemning] the magick and mysticism. The fact remains, however, that the Bible testifies that magick was practiced by God's servants and prophets.

Theologians, teachers and scholars have, for centuries, had an anti-magick bias. Because of their prejudice, they tried to obscure the legitimate use of magick by followers of Elohim, the God of the Bible. When it was used in the service of Elohim, magick was approved, and the user considered to have a Divine gift. (The word Elohim is concurrently male and female, and simultaneously represents both unity and majestic plurality. Elohim is a compound of the feminine singular Eloah with the masculine plural suffix -im. The word Elohim represents a majestic, awesome God[dess] Who is beyond the ability of the human mind to fully comprehend.)

This article will focus on the use of magick by the Biblical patriarchs, prophets, and heroes of the Bible. Magick is an integral part of the religion that is taught within the Bible, and in other Jewish and Christian apocryphal scriptures. It is a well-documented practice that can be traced throughout ecclesiastical history. Regrettably, the church and synagogue have generally failed to acknowledge these facts.

'Magick' is a challenging term to precisely delineate. Definition is dependent upon one's spiritual background and culture. Admittedly, there is overlapping of religion, magick, miracle, and mysticism. No single description that will satisfy everyone. The spelling 'magick' is an antiquated form of 'magic', and is used commonly to distinguish spiritual ritual from stage illusions and sleight-of-hand.

For purpose of this discussion, 'magick' is the deliberate ceremonial or ritual use of words, actions and/or objects with the intention of influencing circumstances or outcome of events, or to communicate with God.

A 'miracle' is an act of God in which something beyond the normal takes place. A miracle may be the Divine's response to magick or prayer. However, for the sake of differentiation, we will say that a miracle is initiated by Elohim. A miracle is a spontaneous manifestation of Divine Will, and is independent of ritual or ceremony.

There is no doubt that the use of magick and related practices and spiritual gifts are both supported by and condemned by the Bible. There was true prophecy, versus false prophecy; true divination and lying divination. Speaking with the spirits of the dead is, in some instances, permitted, but worshipping the dead or asking their advice is forbidden. Conversing with angels is acceptable, but worshipping angels is forbidden. Images of cherubim were displayed within the temple, but making other idols to worship was strictly prohibited. When magick was denounced, it was because of deceit or an evil intention on the part of the practitioner, or because the outcome was false, or because of consulting gods, goddesses or entities other than Elohim.

This article will specifically concentrate on the magickal practices that are endorsed and condoned within the Bible. The reader is invited to investigate and perhaps re-read the Bible, free from the bias of church, synagogue, or coven.

Magickal Use of Objects

From Genesis through Revelation, numerous references within the Bible are made to the implementation of various inanimate items for religious purposes, and the endowment of objects with spiritual power.

The patriarch Jacob employed rods made of shoots of trees, from which he stripped some bark, to affect the outcome of the breeding of livestock. He positioned the striped rods where the animals could see them, thereby influencing them to produce striped and speckled offspring. [Genesis 30:37-43]

Yahweh [God the Father] imbued Moses' staff with magickal powers. Moses' staff, which was called the Rod of Elohim, could transform into a snake, then back into a staff. [Exodus 4:1-5, 17] When Moses held his rod over his head while the Israelites were in battle, they were victorious. [Exodus 17:9-12] He used the Rod of Elohim to hit a rock, making a spring of water erupt. [Numbers 20:11]

Moses' brother, Aaron, also had a rod of power. When placed within the Tabernacle, the scepter of Aaron miraculously sprouted blossoms and almonds. [Numbers 17:8] When he stretched his staff over the river of Egypt, the water turned red like blood. [Exodus 7:17-20] Like Moses' scepter, Aaron's rod could also turn into a serpent. [Exodus 7:12]

When the Israelites were cursed by an infestation of poisonous serpents, God instructed Moses to make an image of a serpent of brass, and set it atop a pole. After they were bitten, the people who looked at the brass serpent survived the poisonous snakebite; those who refused to look at it died. [Numbers 21:9]

The prophet Elijah's robe was used as an object of power. "He took off his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water with it; the water divided right and left, and the two men crossed the river on dry ground." When Elijah was taken to heaven, his prophetic robe was left behind for Elisha, and the garment had retained its magickal power. [2 Kings 2:8-14]

Elisha the prophet used his staff as an object of magickal power for healing. [2 Kings 4:20-31] He assisted King Joash to use a bow and arrow for divination purposes. [2 Kings 13:14-19]

Cloth handkerchiefs or articles of clothing that had touched the apostle Paul were taken to the bedfast sick to facilitate their healing. [Acts 19:12]

The fringes at the corners of the Messiah's outer garment had inherent healing power. Malachi proclaimed that the Messiah would come, "with healing in his wings". [Malachi 4:2] The word kanaph, which is translated as 'wing', also means 'corner' or 'border of a garment'. On the corner of the Messiah's garment were tzit-tzit, or fringes. [Numbers 15:38, Deuteronomy 22:12] There was a woman with a chronic, incurable flow of blood, who believed that Yahshua [Jesus] was the One spoken of in Malachi's prophecy. She pressed through a crowded street, and "touched the fringe of His cloak and her hemorrhage stopped." [Luke 8:43-48; Mark 5:25-34]

Sanctified oil was often used to anoint the sick, as part of a healing ceremony. [Mark 6:13; James 5:14]

Divination

Divination is the practice of attaining knowledge or direction, generally with the assistance of an object. It is sometimes condoned in scripture, and other times condemned. The categorization of divination as 'good' or 'evil', 'true' or 'false' is dependent upon the intent of the diviner, and/or which god or power was being sought.

The most famous example of divination by a prophet of Elohim is that of Joseph - the one who was sold into slavery by his brothers. Joseph had the gifts of spiritual dreams, the interpretations of dreams, and prophecy. Additionally, he practiced divination. Specifically, he practiced the form of divination known as hydromancy or oenomancy. That is, he gazed into a silver cup filled with water or wine, which he used "for divination". Joseph asked his brothers, "Do you not know that a man like me practices divination?" [Genesis 44:2-5, 15]

Jacob's father-in-law, Laban, also used divination. He declared, "I have learned by divination that the LORD [Yahweh] has blessed me because of you." Although most English translations obscure the meaning, the same word nachash is used here as the description of Joseph's use of his cup.

Another form of divination is known as sortilege - the casting of lots. A lot was a colored or inscribed pebble, or similar object, that may be drawn from a bag or tossed onto a piece of cloth or a skin. The goat for the atonement offering and the scapegoat were chosen by lot. [Leviticus 16:8-10] The sequence of service of the priesthood was also determined by lot. [1st Chronicles 24:5, 25:8, 26:13] It comes as a surprise to most Christians to know that the final determination of who would replace Judas as an apostle was determined by this process. "They prayed, Lord...show us which of these two You have chosen…then they drew lots." [Acts 1:24-26] In Proverbs 16:33 we read another endorsement, "The lot is thrown in the fold of the garment; the decision depends on the LORD."

The Urim and Thummim [meaning 'lights' & 'perfection'] were two stones that were used by the Seer or High Priest to obtain a 'yes' or 'no' type of answer from the Creator, in response to questions. [Numbers 27:18-21; 1 Samuel 28:6] They may have been used in a manner similar to casting or selecting lots.

False or 'lying' divination is condemned in the Bible. Different words [kehsem and miksawn] are used in the original Hebrew than the word for Joseph's practice of divination [nachash]. 'Lying divination' was condemned because it actually was false or misleading, and also because the practitioners were merely pretending that the answers came from Yahweh. [Ezekiel 13:6-9, Micah 3:5-11]

Amulets

Amulets was were used by practically all Jews and early Christians for protection, spiritual power, and as a reminder of their covenant with God. Objects were worn as jewelry, plaques were used to protect one's dwelling, and drawings and parchments upon which were written special words and symbols were used to help focus their attention and prayers.

An amulet is an object that is believed to provide magickal protection to the wearer or owner. Amulets generally contain [or are inscribed with] scripture verses, prayers, or one of the names of God. In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 the Israelites were commanded to make amulets to wear, and also to fasten amulets to the doors of their dwellings. [Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:18-21; Exodus 12:21-23, 13:14-16] The purposes were to remind the people of their commitment to keep the commandments of the covenant, as well as to provide protection against evil.

A phylactery is a type of protective amulet that is worn. It contains a small scroll upon which a passage of scripture is written. The word 'phylactery', used in Matthew 23:5, means 'protective amulet' or 'safeguard'. Religious people also wore jewelry or carried small stones, upon which scriptures, the names of God or angels, or protective symbols were inscribed. Revelation 2:17 promises that the faithful will one day receive "a white stone with a new name engraved on it."

A mezuzah is an object that also contains a miniature scroll bearing scripture verses that is fastened to a doorframe or to a gate - the entrance to one's dwelling.

Summary

The intent of this article has been to point out some of the magickal practices condoned within the Bible. It is evident that the use of magick objects, amulets, and divination, are, when appropriately applied, consistent with Biblical religion and worship. The hope is that readers will feel encouraged to find a Bible, gather some friends around, and discover the treasures long hidden within its pages.