Hebrew · H3785

כֶּשֶׁף

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כֶּשֶׁףH3785
Pronunciationkeshef

What does כֶּשֶׁף (keshef) mean in the Bible?

כֶּשֶׁף (keshef): Sorcery as forbidden craft involving hidden knowledge; consistently condemned as covenant violation in Israel's law.

Full entry for כֶּשֶׁף (H3785) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does כֶּשֶׁף (keshef) mean in the Bible?

כֶּשֶׁף (keshef): Sorcery as forbidden craft involving hidden knowledge; consistently condemned as covenant violation in Israel's law.

How does the BSB render H3785?

The BSB source-word alignment has 6 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include sorceries (2), and witchcraft (1), by her witchcraft (1), of sorcery (1), the sorceries (1).

Where does כֶּשֶׁף (keshef) appear in Scripture?

The source-word alignment first shows this entry at 2 Kings 9:22. Its strongest book concentrations include Isaiah (2), Nahum (2), 2 Kings (1), Micah (1).

Source Word Evidence

BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.

How English Renders It
sorceriesIsaiah 47:9, Isaiah 47:12
and witchcraft2 Kings 9:22
by her witchcraftNahum 3:4
of sorceryNahum 3:4
the sorceriesMicah 5:12
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map

A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.

First aligned row2 Kings 9:22
Aligned rows6
Books represented4
2 Kings1Isaiah2Micah1Nahum2
Source forms
כְּשָׁפַ֔יִךְ2xkə·šā·p̄a·yiḵIsaiah 47:9, Isaiah 47:12
בִּכְשָׁפֶֽיהָ׃1xbiḵ·šā·p̄e·hāNahum 3:4
וּכְשָׁפֶ֖יהָ1xū·ḵə·šā·p̄e·hā2 Kings 9:22
כְשָׁפִ֖ים1xḵə·šā·p̄îmMicah 5:12
כְּשָׁפִ֑ים1xkə·šā·p̄îmNahum 3:4
Parsing patterns
Noun - masculine plural2xMicah 5:12, Nahum 3:4
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular2xIsaiah 47:9, Isaiah 47:12
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular1x2 Kings 9:22
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular1xNahum 3:4
Sources