Original Word: נָחַשׁ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: nachash
Pronunciation: nah-KHASH
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-khash')
KJV: X certainly, divine, enchanter, (use) X enchantment, learn by experience, X indeed, diligently observe
NASB: used divination, divination, divined, enchantments, indeed practice divination, indeed uses, interprets omens
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (properly) to hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell
2. (generally) to prognosticate

certainly, divine, enchanter, use enchantment, learn by experience, diligently observe

A primitive root; properly, to hiss, i.e. Whisper a (magic) spell; generally, to prognosticate -- X certainly, divine, enchanter, (use) X enchantment, learn by experience, X indeed, diligently observe.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to practice divination, observe signs
NASB Translation
divination (1), divined (1), enchantments (1), indeed practice divination (1), indeed uses (1), interprets omens (1), practice divination (1), took as an omen (1), used divination (2).

II. [נָחַשׁ verb only

Pi`el practise divination, divine, observe signs (denominative from נָהָשׁ according to Nö<sup>Zeitschr. f. Völkerpsychol. i (1860), 413</sup> Bau<sup>Semitic Rel. i. 287</sup> Lag<sup>BN 188</sup> Gerber<sup>Verb. Denom. 29</sup>; otherwise We<sup>Skizzen iii. 147</sup> Mei<sup>Chrest. Targ. 8.</sup> see Ba<sup>ES 48</sup> (against him see Sta<sup>ThLz April 28, 1894, 235</sup>); chief difficulty is that Aramaic, which has נַחֵשׁ, has no נָחָשׁ compare RS<sup>JPh.xiv. 115</sup>; — Late Hebrew Qal Participle נוֺחֵשׁ, and Pi`el; Aramaic Pa`el נַחֵשׁ, , all = divine, learn by omens; perhaps compare also Arabic be unlucky Lane²⁷⁷⁵ compare Mei^1.c); — Perfect3masculine singular וְנִחֵשׁ 2 Kings 21:6; 2Chronicles 33:6; 1 singular נִחַ֫שְׁתִּי Genesis 30:27; Imperfect יְגַחֵשׁ Genesis 44:5,15; 3masculine plural יְנַחֲשׁוּ 1 Kings 20:33, וַיְנַחָ֑שׁוּ 2 Kings 17:17; 2masculine plural תְּנַחֲשׁוּ Leviticus 19:26; Infinitive absolute נַחֵשׁ1Kings 20:33; Participle מְנַחֵשׁ Deuteronomy 18:10 (compare especially RS^{JPhoenician xiv. .113 ff.}); —

1 practise divination Genesis 44:5 (J; by means of cup, i.e. by hydromancy), with implied power to learn secret things Genesis 44:15; condemned by prophetic writer 2 Kings 21:6 2Chronicles 33:6 (+ עוֺנֵן וְעָשָׂח אוֺב וְיִדְּעֹנִים), 2 Kings 17:17 ("" וַיִּקְסְמוּ קְסָמִים); forbidden in D and H: Deuteronomy 18:10 ( + קֹסֵם קְסָמִים מְעוֺנֵן וּמְכַשֵּׁף), Leviticus 19:26 (H; "" תְּעוֺנֵנ֑וּ).

2 observe the signs or omens Genesis 30:27 (j); so probably יְנַחֲשׁוּ 1 Kings 20:33 now the men were observing the signs.

Overview

The verb נָחַשׁ (nachash) describes the act of seeking hidden knowledge through omens, signs, or supernatural means. In Scripture it is always associated with human attempts to secure information or advantage apart from the direct revelation of God. The word occurs eleven times, spanning the patriarchal period to the final generations of Judah’s monarchy, and it consistently exposes the spiritual fault line between trust in the LORD and reliance on forbidden practices.

Range of Use in Scripture

1. Patriarchal Experience
• Genesis 30:27
• Genesis 44:5; 44:15

2. Mosaic Legislation
• Leviticus 19:26
• Deuteronomy 18:10

3. Royal and Prophetic History
• 1 Kings 20:33
• 2 Kings 17:17; 21:6
• 2 Chronicles 33:6

Divination in the Patriarchal Narratives

Genesis presents divination on the lips of non-Israelites and in Joseph’s ruse. Laban confesses, “I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you” (Genesis 30:27). His admission underscores God’s favor on Jacob while exposing Laban’s reliance on occult methods. Joseph’s steward later declares, “Is not this the cup that my master drinks from and uses for divination?” (Genesis 44:5). Joseph’s claim, “Do you not know that a man like me can surely divine?” (Genesis 44:15), serves his larger strategy to test his brothers; the narrative does not endorse the practice but uses it to advance God’s providential plan.

Covenant Prohibitions

In the Torah, divination moves from narrative backdrop to explicit prohibition. “You must not practice divination or sorcery” (Leviticus 19:26). The wider context binds holiness to exclusive reliance on God’s self-disclosure. Deuteronomy deepens the ban: “Let no one be found among you who … practices divination” (Deuteronomy 18:10). The surrounding verses list child sacrifice, witchcraft, and necromancy, portraying a continuum of pagan worship that Israel must reject to remain a distinct, covenant people.

Historical Outworking in Israel and Judah

Despite clear commands, Israel repeatedly resorted to divination:

• In 1 Kings 20:33 Aramean envoys “were watching for a sign,” grasping at the king’s words in a form of opportunistic omen-reading.
• The northern kingdom’s decline is summarized: “They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying” (2 Kings 17:17).
• Manasseh institutionalized such sins: “He … practiced sorcery and divination” (2 Kings 21:6; repeated in 2 Chronicles 33:6). The chronicler links these acts directly to provoking the LORD’s anger and precipitating exile.

Theological Significance

1. Rival Revelation

Nachash stands as the antithesis of prophetic revelation. Whereas prophets speak as mouthpieces of God, diviners attempt to manipulate supernatural forces for personal gain.

2. Idolatrous Dependence

Divination is repeatedly coupled with idolatry, child sacrifice, and spiritism, showing its integral role in pagan religious systems.

3. Judgment and Exile

The chronicling of divination among covenant breaches highlights why the exile was both inevitable and righteous. Unrepentant reliance on forbidden arts invited divine wrath.

Ministry Implications

• Pastoral Warning

Modern equivalents—horoscopes, occult games, New Age channeling—fall under the same biblical verdict. Shepherds must expose such practices as substitutes for trust in God’s Word.

• Discipleship Focus

Believers are called to cultivate discernment through Scripture and prayer, not signs and omens. Teaching on the sufficiency of Scripture directly counters the lure of hidden knowledge.

• Evangelistic Bridge

The fascination with the supernatural can serve as an apologetic entry point: Scripture affirms the reality of unseen powers yet directs all true spiritual inquiry to the living God revealed in Jesus Christ.

Christological and New Covenant Perspective

The New Testament fulfills the Old Testament contrast by presenting Christ as the ultimate source of wisdom. In Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). The early church treated occult practices as incompatible with faith (Acts 19:18-19). Thus, the prohibition embodied in נָחַשׁ reaches its goal in calling God’s people to exclusive dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ, the true and final revelation of God.

וְנִחֵ֔שׁ וְנִחֵשׁ֙ וַיְנַחֵ֑שׁוּ וּמְנַחֵ֖שׁ וינחשו ומנחש ונחש יְנַחֲשׁ֨וּ יְנַחֵ֖שׁ יְנַחֵ֛שׁ ינחש ינחשו נִחַ֕שְׁתִּי נַחֵ֥שׁ נַחֵ֧שׁ נחש נחשתי תְעוֹנֵֽנוּ׃ תעוננו׃ na·ḥêš naChesh naḥêš ni·ḥaš·tî niChashti niḥaštî ṯə‘ōwnênū ṯə·‘ō·w·nê·nū teoNenu ū·mə·na·ḥêš umenaChesh ūmənaḥêš vaynaCheshu veniChesh way·na·ḥê·šū waynaḥêšū wə·ni·ḥêš wəniḥêš yə·na·ḥă·šū yə·na·ḥêš yenachaShu yenaChesh yənaḥăšū yənaḥêšInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts