ENCHANTMENT

Act of casting charms or incantations to influence others or to obtain knowledge. Balaam could place no enchantment against Israel but could only bless them (Nm 23:23). Enchanters were present among the wise men of Nebuchadnezzar’s court; however, Daniel and his three friends were found to be ten times wiser than they (Dn 1:20). The enchanters were unable to recall King Nebuchadnezzar’s forgotten dream (2:2-27) or to interpret his second one (4:7); later, under Belshazzar, they could not read or interpret the handwriting on the palace wall (5:7-15). According to the prophet Isaiah, even the great powers of Babylon’s enchantments would not save it from eventual destruction (Is 47:9, 12). In a more figurative sense, the psalmist writes: wickedness “does not hear the voice . . . of the cunning enchanter” (Ps 58:5, rsv).

See also Magic; Sorcery.