Bible Dictionary
Witch
A witch or sorceress was a practitioner of forbidden magic or enchantment. The Mosaic law condemned such practices because they sought supernatural power apart from the Lord.
Definition
A witch, in the biblical terminology supplied, is an enchantress or sorceress; the corresponding masculine term means enchanter. The word denotes a practitioner of forbidden enchantment rather than a general designation for every form of unusual knowledge or skill.
Biblical Usage
The feminine form occurs in Exodus, where it is rendered “witch” or “enchantress,” and the masculine form occurs in Deuteronomy, where it is rendered “enchanter.” These references belong to the biblical prohibition of such practices.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Occurs only in Ex. 22:18, as the rendering of mekhashshepheh, the feminine form of the word, meaning “enchantress” (R.V., “sorceress”), and in Deut. 18:10, as the rendering of mekhashshepheth, the masculine form of the word, meaning “enchanter.”