Exodus 7:11

Exodus 7:11

Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

a. NLT: Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. ASV: Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers: and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments. [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. YLT: And Pharaoh also calleth for wise men, and for sorcerers; and the scribes of Egypt, they also, with their flashings, do so, [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Classic Amplified: Then Pharaoh called for the wise men [skilled in magic and divination] and the sorcerers (wizards and jugglers). And they also, these magicians of Egypt, did similar things with their enchantments and secret arts. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Septuagint: But Pharao called together the wise men of Egypt, and the sorcerers, and the charmers also of the Egyptians did likewise with their sorceries.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/ Writings: Pharaoh, too, summoned his wise men and sorcerers, and they too, the necromancers of Egypt, did so with their incantations. [The Artscroll Series/Stone Edition, THE TANACH--STUDENT SIZE EDITION Copyright 1996, 1998 by Mesorah Publications, Ldt.]

1. “Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers…”

a. [Then] Pharaoh [Strong: 6547 Par`oh par-o' of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings:--Pharaoh.]

b. also [Strong: 1571 gam gam by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather; properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.]

c. called [Strong: 7121 qara' kaw-raw' a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.]

d. [the] wise men [Strong: 2450 chakam khaw-kawm' from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful):--cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted), man).]

e. [and the] sorcerers [Strong: 3784 kashaph kaw-shaf' a primitive root; properly, to whisper a spell, i.e. to inchant or practise magic:--sorcerer, (use) witch(-craft).]

1. First mention of drugs in Scripture (except possible reference in Genesis 30:14-18) is Exodus 7:10-13

a). Exodus 7:10-13 [Septuagint] And Moses and Aaron went in before Pharao, and [before] his servants, and they did so, as the Lord commanded them; and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharao, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.  

7:11 But Pharao called together the wise men of Egypt, and the sorcerers, and the charmers also of the Egyptians did likewise with their sorceries. 

7:12 And they cast down each his rod, and they became serpents, but the rod of Aaron swallowed up their rods. 

7:13 and the heart of Pharao was hardened, and he hearkened not to them, as the Lord charged them.

b). The N.T. Greek word for sorcerers is pharmakos [5333] and it means a magician or sorcerer. In Vine’s it says, an adjective signifying “devoted to magical arts”, is used as a noun, a sorcerer, especially one who uses drugs, potions, spells, enchantments. Zodhiates cites it as being used in Exodus 7:11.

c). The Greek word for sorceries is pharmakia [5331] Vine’s: primarily signified the use of medicine, drugs, spells; then poisoning; then, socerery, used in Galatians 5:20 translated “witchcraft” in KJV, mentioned as one of the works of the flesh. See also Revelation 9:21; 18:23. Vine cites it as being used in Exodus 7:11. Vine goes on to say: “In sorcery, the use of drugs, whether simple or potent, was generally accompanied by incantations and appeals to occult powers, with the provision of various charms, amulets, etc,. professedly designed to keep the applicant or patient from the attention and power of demons, but actually to impress the applicant with the mysterious resources and powers of the sorcerer.

2. “...now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.”

a. [now the] magicians [Strong: 2748 chartom khar-tome' from the same as 2747; a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles):--magician.]

b. [of] Egypt [Strong: 4714 Mitsrayim mits-rah'-yim dual of 4693; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt:--Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.]

c. they [Strong: 1992 hem haym or (prolonged) hemmah {haym'-maw}; masculine plural from 1981; they (only used when emphatic):--it, like, X (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, X so, X such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye.]

d. also [Strong: 1571 gam gam by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather; properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.]

e. did [Strong: 6213 `asah aw-saw' a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, + finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin, spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be (warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.]

f. [in] like manner [Strong: 3651 ken kane from 3559; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and relation; often with other particles):--+ after that (this, -ward, -wards), as ... as, + (for-)asmuch as yet, + be (for which) cause, + following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), X the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, + there (where)-fore, this, thus, true, well, X you.]

g. [with their] enchantments [Strong: 3858 lahat lah'-hat from 3857; a blaze; also (from the idea of enwrapping) magic (as covert):--flaming, enchantment.]

1). An interesting point is that these were the first miracles performed through a human agency. In all the miraculous things that happened in Genesis, no human agency was used. Here with Moses and Aaron was the first. Notice also that the magicians of Egypt could simulate some of the miracles. I personally believe that this was occultic miracles being done by demonic forces. These occultic followers, magicians, necromancers, sorcerers were a part of the leadership of many ancient nations, Egypt, Babylon, the nations of Canaan, and the devil used them to keep these nation under his grip. In the last days when the antichrist rises up, he will use occultic powers to deceive the world.

a). 2 Thessalonians 2:6-10 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.