BEWITCH (βασκαίνω, G1001, Gal. 3:1, to enchant and hence captivate someone; ἐξίστημι, G2014, Acts 8:9, 11, KJV, to strike someone with amazement or confusion).

While the two words are similarly tr. in the KJV in the passages cited, they are different in background and meaning. The word in Galatians 3:1 meant, among other things, to cast a spell. The use of such a strong metaphor indicates the seriousness of the error espoused by the Galatians.

The case is different with Acts 8, where the word, used to describe Simon’s effect on the people of Samaria, has a varied history of meanings. Among these are “to drive one out of his senses,” “to confound,” “to amaze.” The idea of astonishment is present in most of the Biblical uses (e.g. Matt 12:23; Luke 2:47; Acts 2:7, 12). It has a stronger meaning in Mark 3:21 and 2 Corinthians 5:13, where it suggests being out of one’s mind. The related noun, from which is derived the word “ecstasy,” is used in the NT to mean “amazement” or “trance” (e.g. Acts 3:10; contrast 11:5). Recent VSS interpret the verb in Acts 8:9, 11 psychologically (e.g. “dazzled”) rather than magically. In fact, the same word appears in v. 13 to describe Simon’s own amazement over the Christians’ miracles.