Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
Then Pharaoh ... called the wise men and the sorcerers, х lachªkaamiym (H2450), the wise men; wªlamªkashªpiym (H3784), and the sorcerers] - those who use magic formulas, incantations, etc. [Septuagint, tous farmakous]; х charTumiym (H2748)], the magicians, (see the notes at Genesis 41:8). х bªlahªTeeyhem (H3858), by their secret arts, mystic incantations, from laahaT (H3857), to wrap up, to use magic arts; Septuagint, tais farmakiais autoon.] His object in calling them was to ascertain whether this doing of Aaron's was really a work of divine power or merely a feat of magical art. The magicians of Egypt in modern times have long been celebrated adepts in charming serpents: and particularly by pressing the nape of the neck they throw them into a kind of catalepsy, which renders them stiff and immoveable, thus seeming to change them into a rod. They conceal the serpent about their persons, and by acts of legerdemain produce it from their dress, stiff, and straight as a rod. Just the same trick was played off by their ancient predecessors, the most renowned of whom, Jannes and Jambres (2 Timothy 3:8), were called in on this occasion. They had time after the summons to make suitable preparations; and so it appears they succeeded by their "enchantments" in practicing an illusion on the senses.