Deuteronomy 18:14 Though these nations, which you will dispossess, listen to conjurers and diviners, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.

Bible > Deuteronomy > Chapter 18 > Verse 14

◄ Deuteronomy 18:14 ►

New International Version
The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.

New Living Translation
The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the LORD your God forbids you to do such things.”

English Standard Version
for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do this.

Berean Standard Bible
Though these nations, which you will dispossess, listen to conjurers and diviners, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.

King James Bible
For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

New King James Version
For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you.

New American Standard Bible
For these nations, which you are going to dispossess, listen to soothsayers and diviners, but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do so.

NASB 1995
“For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do so.

NASB 1977
“For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do so.

Legacy Standard Bible
For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice soothsaying and to diviners, but as for you, Yahweh your God has not allowed you to do so.

Amplified Bible
For these nations which you shall dispossess listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners and fortune-tellers, but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do so.

Christian Standard Bible
Though these nations you are about to drive out listen to fortune-tellers and diviners, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do this.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Though these nations you are about to drive out listen to fortune-tellers and diviners, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do this.”

American Standard Version
For these nations, that thou shalt dispossess, hearken unto them that practise augury, and unto diviners; but as for thee, Jehovah thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

Contemporary English Version
You will go in and take the land from nations that practice magic and witchcraft. But the LORD your God won't allow you to do those things.

English Revised Version
For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearken unto them that practise augury, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These nations you are forcing out listen to fortunetellers and to those who practice black magic. But the LORD your God won't let you do anything like that.

Good News Translation
Then Moses said, "In the land you are about to occupy, people follow the advice of those who practice divination and look for omens, but the LORD your God does not allow you to do this.

International Standard Version
because those nations that you are about to dispossess listen to those who practice witchcraft and divination. But the LORD does not allow you to act this way."

Majority Standard Bible
Though these nations, which you will dispossess, listen to conjurers and diviners, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.

NET Bible
Those nations that you are about to dispossess listen to omen readers and diviners, but the LORD your God has not given you permission to do such things.

New Heart English Bible
For these nations, that you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice sorcery, and to diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you so to do.

Webster's Bible Translation
For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened to observers of times, and to diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

World English Bible
For these nations that you shall dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery and to diviners; but as for you, Yahweh your God has not allowed you so to do.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
for these nations whom you are possessing listen to observers of clouds and to diviners; but you—your God YHWH has not permitted you so.

Young's Literal Translation
for these nations whom thou art possessing, unto observers of clouds, and unto diviners, do hearken; and thou -- not so hath Jehovah thy God suffered thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
For these nations which thou shalt possess them, they will hear to those practicing magic, and to those divining: and thou, not thus, gave Jehovah thy God to thee.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
These nations, whose land thou shalt possess, hearken to soothsayers and diviners: but thou art otherwise instructed by the Lord thy God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
These nations, whose land you shall possess, they listen to soothsayers and diviners. But you have been otherwise instructed by the Lord your God.

New American Bible
Although these nations whom you are about to dispossess listen to their soothsayers and diviners, the LORD, your God, will not permit you to do so.

New Revised Standard Version
Although these nations that you are about to dispossess do give heed to soothsayers and diviners, as for you, the LORD your God does not permit you to do so.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For these nations which you are to possess hearken to men with familiar spirits and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do so.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because these nations which you are possessing are listening to demons and to fortune tellers, but LORD JEHOVAH your God has not so allowed you.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
For these nations, that thou art to dispossess, hearken unto soothsayers, and unto diviners; but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For all these nations whose land thou shalt inherit, they will listen to omens and divinations; but the Lord thy God has not permitted thee so to do.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Sorcery Forbidden
…13You must be blameless before the LORD your God. 14Though these nations, which you will dispossess, listen to conjurers and diviners, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Leviticus 19:31
You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

Isaiah 8:19
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

1 Samuel 28:7-8
Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” “There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied. / So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.”

2 Kings 21:6
He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

2 Chronicles 33:6
He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Jeremiah 27:9-10
But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who declare, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ / For they prophesy to you a lie that will serve to remove you from your land; I will banish you and you will perish.

Micah 5:12
I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers.

Acts 16:16-18
One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

1 Corinthians 10:20-21
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ...

Ephesians 5:11-12
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. / For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

Treasury of Scripture

For these nations, which you shall possess, listened to observers of times, and to diviners: but as for you, the LORD your God has not suffered you so to do.

possess.

Deuteronomy 18:10
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

Genesis 20:6
And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

Psalm 147:19,20
He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel…

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Allowed Arts Attention Augury Dispossess Divination Diviners Hearken Hearkened Heed Nations Observers Permitted Possess Practice Practise Readers Secret Signs Soothsayers Sorcery Suffered Times Use Using Witchcraft

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Deuteronomy 18

1. The LORD is the priests and Levites' inheritance
3. The priests' due
6. The Levites' portion
9. The abominations of the nations are to be avoided
15. Christ the Prophet is to be heard
20. The presumptuous prophet is to die

Berean Study Bible

Though these nations
The phrase "these nations" refers to the Canaanite peoples inhabiting the Promised Land before the Israelites' arrival. Historically, these nations were known for their polytheistic practices and reliance on various forms of divination and sorcery. The Hebrew word for "nations" is "goyim," often used to denote groups outside the covenant community of Israel. This sets a clear distinction between the chosen people of God and the surrounding pagan cultures, emphasizing the call for Israel to remain separate and holy.

which you will dispossess
The term "dispossess" indicates the act of taking over the land that God had promised to the Israelites. In Hebrew, the word "yarash" conveys the idea of inheriting or taking possession. This was not merely a physical conquest but a divine mandate, underscoring God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Israelites were to inherit the land as a fulfillment of God's promise, highlighting the importance of obedience and trust in God's plan.

listen to conjurers and diviners
"Conjurers and diviners" refers to those who practice occult arts, seeking to predict the future or gain hidden knowledge through supernatural means. The Hebrew words "anan" (conjurers) and "qesem" (diviners) describe practices that were common among the Canaanites but strictly forbidden for the Israelites. These practices were seen as attempts to circumvent God's will and authority, relying instead on human manipulation of spiritual forces. The prohibition against such practices underscores the call for Israel to trust solely in God's revelation and guidance.

the LORD your God
This phrase is a reminder of the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel. "LORD" (YHWH) is the personal name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature. "Your God" signifies a personal, covenantal relationship, highlighting that Israel's identity and destiny are bound to their faithfulness to Yahweh. This relationship is central to the Israelites' identity and mission, calling them to exclusive worship and obedience to God alone.

has not permitted you to do so
The prohibition against engaging in divination and sorcery is a direct command from God. The Hebrew word "natan" (permitted) implies granting or allowing. Here, it is clear that God has not granted permission for His people to engage in these practices. This command is rooted in the understanding that such practices are contrary to God's nature and His revealed will. The Israelites are called to a higher standard, one that reflects their unique relationship with God and their role as a light to the nations. This prohibition serves as a safeguard against idolatry and a reminder of the sufficiency of God's guidance and provision.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) The Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.--More literally, As for thee, not so hath Jehovah thy God given unto thee. A prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me, will Jehovah thy God raise up unto thee. Him shall ye hear. The contrast between the miserable resources of idolatrous nations in their anxiety, and the light and comfort promised to Israel and to us, in the One Mediator, is very marked here. Even Israel was better off than the heathen. As Rashi says upon the words "not so," &c., "He hath not left thee to hearken to observers of times and enchanters; for behold He hath given Shechinah to rest upon the prophets, and Urim and Thummim."

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - Though the heathen whose land they were to possess sought to diviners and enchanters, Israel was not to do so; as for them (the אַתָּה at the beginning of the clause is an emphatic nominative), Jehovah their God had not suffered (נָתַן, given, granted, allowed) them to do such things.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Though
כִּ֣י ׀ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

these
הָאֵ֗לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

nations
הַגּוֹיִ֣ם (hag·gō·w·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

you
אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

shall dispossess
יוֹרֵ֣שׁ (yō·w·rêš)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin

listen
יִשְׁמָ֑עוּ (yiš·mā·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

conjurers
מְעֹנְנִ֥ים (mə·‘ō·nə·nîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6049: To act covertly, practise magic

and diviners,
קֹסְמִ֖ים (qō·sə·mîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7080: To distribute, determine by lot, magical scroll, to divine

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

has not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

permitted you
נָ֛תַן‪‬‪‬ (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to do so.
כֵ֔ן (ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

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OT Law: Deuteronomy 18:14 For these nations that you shall dispossess (Deut. De Du)