| Summary: | A wide range of objects were used in rituals and their purpose was to mediate divine power in the
Graeco-Roman world. These included amulets, which were objects commonly inscribed with mysterious formulae and used by mainly pagans as a protection against numerous illnesses, as well as witchcraft, occultism, curse tablets, magical gems and also magical bowls. There were also magical handbooks and binding spells. Each of these reside under the category of magical texts or objects. These objects were believed to be effective based on their messages and also
the sense of power that they were believed to possess which was magical. Their messages often
went together with a ritual curse. Magic was basically based on the belief that the divine elements
could be exposed to manipulation by different means including inter alia sacrifices, charms, and
even gifts. This obvious misinterpretation of God’s character assumed that one could acquire
God’s favour through ‘buying’ it. This article briefly considers such objects in a biblical literature
perspective, and how they were often used as means to mediate divine power.
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