or state-symbolique in which the prediction of events is expressed as the immediate causing of them. Thus the prophet is said to destroy the city, the destruction of which he predicts. The word which our version renders by
"enchantments"
signifies "flames or burnings," by which it is probable that the Egyptians were able to deceive the spectators, and substitute serpents for staves. See Parkhurst
in voce.
And with regard to the possessions in the
Gospels
, bear in mind first of all, that spirits are not necessarily souls or
I's
(
ich-heiten