What is a witch?
H3784
?????
ka^shaph
kaw-shaf'
A primitive root; properly to whisper a spell, that is, to inchant or practise magic: - sorcerer, (use) witch (-craft).
A witch was a "sorcerer" (this can mean male or female). So what did a sorcerer do that was so wrong? They cast spells and while the modern type of "spell" is thought of as something spoken or read from a scroll, it was more about making potions. Things that could heal you (medicines), kill you (poisons), or alter you somehow (mind altering drugs). Even today "witch doctors" in primitive cultures make heavily mind altering things made to cleanse you or help you see new things.
Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
sorcerers
This word is speaking of drugs, and those who use them...perhaps those who sell them to others as well!
5332
5332 pharmakeus {far-mak-yoos'}
from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion);; n m
AV - sorcerer 1; 1
1) one who prepares or uses magical remedies
2) sorcerer
A "sorcerer" nowadays means a "magical wizard" or something, but in the past it was a term for drug makers and users without regard to male or female.
Thayer's
5331 pharmakeia {far-mak-i'-ah}
from 5332;; n f
AV - sorcery 2, witchcraft 1; 3
1) the use or the administering of drugs
2) poisoning
3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and
fostered by it
4) metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry
Act 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
Act 8:10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Act 8:11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Drugs were the way this man was able to "bewitch" so many people into thinking he had magical powers to create these "magical" things.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
"witchcraft"
Strong's
G5331
pharmakeia
far-mak-i'-ah
From G5332; medication (“pharmacy”), that is, (by extension) magic (literal or figurative): - sorcery, witchcraft.
Medication! Not good medication but they sure enjoyed it and those they got it from!
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
This should really read this way:
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, **DRUG ABUSE**, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Note that these are "works of the flesh" meaning your body and don't drugs affect one's body (including the mind) in very strong ways?
witches were known in the past for making "brews" and "potions" in their caldrons, another way to "cook" drugs and make up "medicenes" otherwise known as drugs. Even in the late 19th century cocaine and forms of it were commonly used as "medicenes" even though they didn't actually heal you.
3784
03784 kashaph {kaw-shaf'}
a primitive root; TWOT - 1051; v
AV - sorcerers 3, witch 2, witchcraft 1; 6
1) (Piel) to practice [font color=red]witchcraft or sorcery[/font], use witchcraft
1a) sorcerer, sorceress (participle)
5331 pharmakeia {far-mak-i'-ah}
from 5332;; n f
AV - sorcery 2, witchcraft 1; 3
1) the use or the administering of drugs
2) poisoning
3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and
fostered by it
4) metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry
from this word do we have "pharmacy" a place for drugs, and a pharmacy has long been a term for someone making or using any drug, even the bad addictive kinds like cocaine and etc.
witches and sorcerers and those types were the first drug pushers and users.
In the book of Enoch, which is not included in the bible so make up your own mind on it's validity, but, we read that some fallen angels were the ones who taught man how to create drugs and sorceries:
Enoch Chapter 8
1Moreover Azazyel taught men to make swords, knives, shields, breastplates, the fabrication of mirrors, and the workmanship of bracelets and ornaments, the use of paint, the beautifying of the eyebrows, the use of stones of every valuable and select kind, and all sorts of dyes, so that the world became altered.
2Impiety increased; fornication multiplied; and they transgressed and corrupted all their ways.
3Amazarak taught all the sorcerers, and dividers of roots:
4Armers taught the solution of sorcery;
Most drugs are derived originally from plants, their roots or leaves, and barks etc etc.