The Hebrew (and Aramaic) noun ashshaph refers to an enchanter, sorcerer, or conjurer — a professional practitioner of occult arts. It appears exclusively in the book of Daniel, in the Aramaic sections (Daniel 1:20; 2:2, 10, 27; 4:7; 5:11), where it describes members of Nebuchadnezzar's court of wise men.
In Daniel, the ashshaphim represent the pinnacle of Babylonian wisdom and occult knowledge. When Nebuchadnezzar has his troubling dream, he calls for 'the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers' — and they fail utterly. This sets the stage for Daniel's stunning demonstration that the God of Israel surpasses all human and demonic wisdom. Daniel 1:20 records that Daniel and his friends were found 'ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in the whole kingdom.' The word ashshaph thus functions as a theological foil — highlighting the bankruptcy of pagan wisdom against the illuminating power of God's Spirit. The New Testament equivalent would be Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8) or Elymas the magician (Acts 13), both confronted by the superior power of the Gospel.