The King Summons Diviners, Enchanters, and Sorcerers

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Miketz 4:3

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"So the king said to summon the chartumim (diviners), the ashafim (enchanters), and the mekhashfim (sorcerers)" (Daniel 2:2). What is meant by "the chartumim"? Rabbi Sivan said: It is written chartumim (spelled defectively). These are the ones who inquire by means of the bones (timei) of the dead. "And the ashafim" — what is meant by "and the ashafim"? These are the ones who grind down (afflict) fortune, and this expression is nothing other than an expression of oppression, as it is said, "Hear this, you who trample (ha-sho'afim) the needy" (Amos 8:4). "And the mekhashfim" — these are sorcerers, indeed.

Themes

MagicKingsWisdomHumorAdam Eve

Biblical References

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