What does קָסַם · קֶסֶם mean in the Bible?
קָסַם · קֶסֶם is a Hebrew phrase meaning "one practicing divination; attempting to obtain hidden knowledge by forbidden means".
Hebrew · H7080, H7081
קֹסֵם קְסָמִים
Properly, to distribute , i.e. determine by lot or magical scroll ; by implication, to divine · a lot ; also divination (including its fee), oracle
Reading a lexicon entry
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
קָסַםH7080properly, to distribute , i.e. determine by lot or magical scroll ; by implication, to divine
Pronunciationqāsam
Divination through determined distribution—casting lots or reading signs to access hidden knowledge, forbidden in Israel's covenantal law.
Open lexicon entry →קֶסֶםH7081a lot ; also divination (including its fee), oracle
Pronunciationqesem
Divination practice that yields an oracle or decision; often condemned as pagan occultism in Israel's religious law
Open lexicon entry →What does קֹסֵם קְסָמִים (qosem qesamim) mean in the Bible?
קָסַם · קֶסֶם is a Hebrew phrase meaning "one practicing divination; attempting to obtain hidden knowledge by forbidden means".
Full entry for קֹסֵם קְסָמִים (H7080, H7081) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H7080, H7081?
H7080, H7081 is connected to 34 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. one practicing divination; attempting to obtain hidden knowledge by forbidden means
Source Gloss
one practicing divination; attempting to obtain hidden knowledge by forbidden means
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups1Aligned forms7
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense5×
Sequential imperfect1Sam 28:82×
ImperfectEzek 13:23 · Mic 3:112×
Participle activeDeut 18:141×
Word Origins
קֹסֵם קְסָמִים is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Cross-Language Connections
Greek words that correspond to or develop the meaning of this Hebrew word in the New Testament.
G2973LXX equivalentGreek