BDB3117
[חַרְטֹם] noun masculine Exod 7:22 engraver, writer, only in derived sense of one possessed of occult knowledge, diviner, astrologer, magician (probably = ם + חֶרֶט, see Di Ol§ 216, 5 Sta§§ 295, 327 a)
the fact that the word is always applied to Egyptian magicians, except Dan 2:2 (late), suggests Egyptian origin,
but no agreement among Egyptologists: HarkavyJas., 1870, Mars-Avril, 169 proposes χαρ,
speak +
tum
, hidden = teller of hidden things; WiedSamml
44 thinks Hebrew word perhaps imitating an Egyptian
cher-‰em-t
, he who holds the book; FC Cook'Speaker's' Comm. i. 279
proposes
cher-tum
= bearer of sacred words. — only plural absolute חַרְטֻמִּים
Gen 41:24 + 4
t.; חַרְטֻמִּם
Exod 8:15; Exod 9:11 construct
חַרְטֻמֵּי
Gen 41:8 + 2 t.; —
1.
magicians of Egypt Gen 41:8 (
E
; || חֲכָמִים), Gen 41:24 (
E
), Exod 8:3
; Exod 8:14
; Exod 8:15
; Exod 7:11
(|| חֲכָמִים, מְכַשְּׁפִים), Exod 7:22; Exod 9:11 (twice in verse) (all
P
).
2.
magicians of Babylon Dan 2:2 (|| אַשָּׁפִים, מְכַשְּׁפִים,
כַּשְׂדִּים).