Page 664 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

WINNOW - WITCHCRAFT

friendship, he sows the seeds of jealousies, and evokes WIT. Knowledge; understanding (Ge. 24:21; Ex. 2:4;
the querulous tones of dissensions. The artful character 2 Co. 8:1). The phrase “do you to wit of” in 2 Co. 8:1
is the most mischievous in society. He works his diabolic means to make you to know, to inform you.
designs by a ‘wink.’ Blackens reputations, creates WITCHCRAFT. Magic; sorcery; demonism; occultism
quarrels, breaks hearts by a ‘wink’”(David Thomas on Pr. (Ex. 22:18; Le. 19:26, 31; 20:6; De. 18:9-14; 1 Sa.
10:10). [See Beguile, Deceit, Dissemble, Dissimulation, 15:23; 2 Ki. 9:22; 2 Ch. 33:6; Is. 47:13-15; Je. 27:9-10;
Doubletongued, Feign, Flattery, Flattering Titles, Da. 2:10; Mi. 5:12; Na. 3:4; Ac. 19:19; Ga. 5:20; Ep.
Hypocrisy, Pride, Sincere, Sleight, Subtil.] 5:11; 6:10-18; Re. 21:8). The Bible makes no distinction
WINNOW. To separate and drive off the chaff from between “white magic” and “black magic.” Every type of
grain by means of wind; to fan; to sift (Ru. 3:2; Is. occultism is forbidden. The ancient idolatrous kingdoms
30:24). mentioned in the Bible, such as Babylon, Assyria, Egypt,
WISDOM. The knowledge and fear of the Lord which Persia, Greece, and Rome, were devoted to witchcraft.
results in a hatred of sin and a love for truth and Methods included consulting the stars (astrology),
righteousness (Job 28:28; Ps. 111:10; Pr. 1:7; 2:10-13; attempting to commune with spirits (spiritism or
9:10; 15:33). Wisdom is the principal thing in life and consulting with familiar spirits), attempting to
more valuable than all precious commodities (Job commune with the dead (necromancy), enchantment,
28:12-19; Pr. 4:7; 8:11; 16:16). interpretation of dreams, and divination. The Egyptian
Sources of Wisdom: God (Ex. 28:3; De. 34:9; 1 Ki. Book of the Dead was occultic to the core. There were
4:29; Job 28:12-28; 32:7-8; 38:36; Ps. 51:6; Pr. 2:7; Da. magic spells to supposedly assist the dead person’s
2:20-23; Ac. 6:3; 2 Pe. 3:15). The Scriptures (De. 4:6; journey in the afterlife. The spells were written in the
Pr. 1:1-6; Col. 3:16). Prayer (Ep. 1:17; Col. 1:9; Ja. 1:5). Egyptian tombs. Curses formed a large part of Egyptian
Teaching and warning (Col. 1:28). occultism.
Bible Facts about Wisdom: Wisdom is practical holy Divination-
living (Pr. 1:2-4). Wisdom must be diligently sought (Pr. Divination refers to fortune telling; future telling;
2:1-9; 8:33-36). Those who reject God’s Word have no divining into the unknown (Nu. 22:7; 23:23; De. 18:10,
wisdom in them (Je. 8:9). Pride corrupts wisdom (Eze. 14; 1 Sa. 6:2; 28:8; 2 Ki. 17:17; Is. 44:25; Je. 14:14;
28:17). The wisdom of God is the gospel of Jesus Christ 27:9; 29:8; Eze. 13:6, 9, 23; 21:21, 22, 29; 22:28; Mi.
(1 Co. 1:20-24). All treasures of wisdom are hid in Jesus 3:6, 7, 11; Ze. 10:2; Ac. 16:16). The Assyrian king
Christ (Col. 2:3). True wisdom will show itself in Ashurbanipal boasted of his abilities in this field: “I can
meekness and holiness (Ja. 3:13-17). discern celestial and terrestrial portents and deliberate
The Wisdom of Proverbs 8-9. The wisdom described in in the assembly of the experts. I am able to discuss the
this passage is a poetic reference to Jesus Christ. We can series ‘if the liver is a mirror image of the sky’ with
see this by comparing this wisdom with Christ. (1) capable scholars. ... I have read cunningly written text
Wisdom is zealous in seeking men (Pr. 8:1-5; Lk. 19:10). in Sumerian, dark Akkadian, the interpretation of which
(2) Wisdom speaks righteous words (Pr. 8:6-9; Jn. 1:14; is difficult” (Dominique Charpin, Reading and Writing in
7:46; 1 Pe. 2:22). (3) The wisdom of Godis the source Babylon, p. 55).
of wisdom (Pr. 8:14; Col. 2:3). (4) Wisdom is the source There were many forms of divination. There was
of authority (Pr. 8:15, 16; Mt. 28:19). (5) Wisdom is divination by casting lots (Esther 9:24), by observing
eternal (Pr. 8:23; Jn. 1:1). (6) Wisdom has a special the path of lightning, the tail of a meteor, the state of
relationship with the Father (Pr. 8:30; Jn. 17:5, 24). (7) the moon, the position of Saturn in relation to the halo
Wisdom is life (Pr. 8:35; Jn. 1:4). (8) Wisdom is of the moon, and many other things.
salvation (Pr. 8:35; 1 Co. 1:30). [See Fool, Jesus Christ, Leanomancy was divining by interpreting the motion
Sophia.] of oil in water. Archaeologists found a two-tablet
WISE. (1) Understanding; prudent; discerning (Ge. instruction guide for divining from patterns of oil on
3:6; Pr. 1:5; 9:8-9; 10:8; 13:1; 14:16; ). (2) Cunning; water in a cup from the early second millennium BC
skillful (Ge. 41:8; Ex. 7:11; 28:3; 31:6; 36:1). (3) (K.A. Kitchen, On the Reliability of the Old Testament,
Manner (Le. 19:17; 27:19; Nu. 6:23; Mt. :18). Eerdmans, 2003, p. 351).
WISE, ANY. Any manner; any way (Ex. 22:23; De. Augury was divination by the observance of bird
21:23; Mk. 14:31). behavior (whether it flew off to the right or left, flew
WISE, THIS. This manner (Nu. 6:23; Mt. 1:18). over a river, etc.). The Greek philosopher Hecateus told
WISE GOD. [See Only Wise God.] about a Jew named Mosollam, a soldier in the army of
Alexander the Great, who thwarted an attempt at
WIST. To know; to be acquainted with (Mk. 9:6; augury. Mosollam was “the most skillful archer that was
14:40; Lk. 2:49; Jn. 5:13; Ac. 12:9; 23:5).

664 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity