enchantment

Everyday

1. An enchantment is a magic spell that makes things happen or changes someone. tree →
2. An enchantment is a feeling of being charmed and delighted, as if by magic. tree →

In the lessons

the magic power or spell that holds someone; in fairy tales a thing that is woven or cast by magic, so the hero cannot break free

Examples

• But it was enchantment they were weaving. tree →
• Yet it was like a piece of enchantment. tree →
• Why does this enchantment still seem to bind me? tree →

Note

nothing for maths

In Jewish tradition

Balaam used it to try to curse Israel, but it did not work. The Torah says there is no enchantment against Jacob. The prophets and the book of Kings name enchantments among the forbidden practices of idol worshippers, and Isaiah mocks Babylon's enchantments as useless.

Interpretation. Tradition reads it as showing that Israel's blessing from God cannot be overturned by magic. Balaam's words became a blessing. The prophets treat trust in magic as a sin that brings punishment.

Examples

• For there is no enchantment with Jacob, neither is there any divination with Israel; now is it said of Jacob and of Israel: 'What hath God wrought!' (Torah NUM.23.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at the other times, to meet with enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. (Torah NUM.24.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. (Prophets ISA.47.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• and they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and gave themselves over to do that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him; (Prophets 2KI.17.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

nothing for maths