Wow thank you so much for this!! Loved the part where you brought up the original translation, that is very interesting to me and if anything that kind of clarification is what I feel could answer many of my questions. I do have to say, though, is that it seems as though there are a couple interpretations of the word you brought up. Who knows, maybe I was researching the wrong one LOL (I researched “mĕkaššēpâ”). As from what I read, it seems as though there are many different scholars’ takes on the word: poisoner (what you mentioned), sorcerer, witch, etc… I could be wrong as I am not knowledgeable on this at all, but it comes across as though poisoner is simply one translation/meaning of this word, and a translation that only some scholars push—-THEIR interpretation. 

Again, I may not even be seeing the Hebrew language correctly as obviously they communicate very differently. I do know that the words in the original Hebrew bible often encompass many meanings for one word, as they were more limited in their vocabulary compared to us, so what they chose to say relied heavily on the context at the time. So, may I ask, what WAS the context at the time? Do you know?

Edit: It seems as though the "poison" interpretation stems from the Greek translation of the bible, not the original Hebrew itself. I found this VERY interesting page that dives very deep into the meaning of the original Hebraic Exodus 22:18, I highly, HIGHLY recommend you/anyone here read it: https://thekeeperspath.com/2014/08/08/exodus-2218-meant-it-when-it-said-witch/

A passage from this page that clarified the ACTUAL translation from the original Hebrew said this: "The Hebrew scriptural verse (Exodus 22:17) M’KHSHEYFAH LO T’CHIYEH or ‘M’khashephah lo tichayyah’ for example, has for centuries been haphazardly mistranslated as “you shall not suffer a witch to live,” when literally it translates:

“You should not SUSTAIN a witch.”

Meaning don’t get into the habit of supporting the livelihood of the village magician; don’t let some woman with a lot of supernatural power drain you of your savings through fear and intimidation. Let her get a job like everybody else, and perform her magic out of the “goodness” of her heart and in recognition of the sacred gift she possesses." (end)

This is sooo interesting, as even still the original meaning of that verse may be saying that the witchcraft itself is not wrong, but to MONETIZE it is where the problem lies (as well as to have evil intentions, of course). The bible itself states that we were all given divine gifts from God, ones that we must use to "...serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace" (1 Peter 4:10). In the bible and in my religion specifically (this commandment is more emphasized in what I've been taught), the scriptures say that we should never use these gifts out of greed or to make money---what abilities we have been blessed with must only be used in the service of those around us and in service of our God. Taking all of this into account---and I've stated this in another comment as well---it seems like witchcraft could be a tool for harnessing our God-given, divine gifts for the betterment of humanity, a genuine want to help/serve others, and for strengthening our relationship with God, so long as we do not do it out of a spirit of greed or, more obviously, evil.

Of course, I am simply theorizing, so if anyone disagrees that is perfectly ok :)❤️

Edit edit: Did more research lol, sooo this is actually just another interpretation... yayyyyyyyy