Lexical Summary yiddeoni: Medium, spiritist, wizard Original Word: יִדְּעֹנִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wizard From yada'; properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost -- wizard. see HEBREW yada' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yada Definition familiar spirit NASB Translation spiritist (2), spiritists (9). Brown-Driver-Briggs יִדְּעֹנִי noun masculine familiar spirit (properly either as knowing, wise (acquainted with secrets of unseen world), Ew vielwisserisch; or as intimate acquaintance of soothsayer, see RSJPh xiv. 1885. 127) — absolute יִדְּעֹנִי Deuteronomy 18:11 2t.; plural יִדְּעֹנִים 1 Samuel 28:3 6t.; הַיִּדְּעֹנִי מִן 1 Samuel 28:9, read הַיִּדְּעֹנִים מִן (see ᵐ5 Th We Klo Dr); familiar spirit, always "" אוֺב, אֹבוֺת 1 Samuel 28:3,9; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 19:3; 2 Kings 21:6 (עשׂה אוֺב; "" נִחֵשׁ, עוֺנֵן) = 2 Chronicles 33:6; 2 Kings 23:24; Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6,27 (all H; on last two compare Acts 16:16 and DrDeuteronomy 18:11), Deuteronomy 18:11("" אוֺב + דֹּרֵשׁ אֶלהַֿמֵּתִים). Topical Lexicon Definition and Overview יִדְּעֹנִי (yiddeʿoni) designates a practitioner who seeks knowledge from the dead or from spirits other than the LORD—commonly rendered “medium,” “necromancer,” or “spiritist.” Every appearance of the word in the Old Testament is set in a context of divine prohibition or condemnation. The term is always paired with הָאוֹב (“medium, ghost specialist”), underscoring its place within occult activity that imitates prophetic revelation while rejecting the voice of God. Biblical Prohibitions Leviticus 19:31 commands, “You must not turn to mediums or familiar spirits; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God”. The prohibition is intensified in Leviticus 20:6, 27, where consulting a יִדְּעֹנִי invites divine wrath and the death penalty. Deuteronomy 18:10–12 lists the practice among abominations that “the LORD your God is driving [the nations] out before you” because of such detestable acts. The Mosaic Law therefore treats the יִדְּעֹנִי as a direct threat to covenant holiness and communal purity. Historical Manifestations in Israel 1 Samuel 28 records Saul’s desperate visit to a woman at En-dor who had “a familiar spirit.” His violation of his own earlier ban illustrates the tragic regression of the first king, whose loss of prophetic guidance led him to seek forbidden revelation. Under Manasseh, “He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists” (2 Kings 21:6), filling Jerusalem with bloodshed and idolatry. Josiah’s later reform “swept away the mediums, spiritists, household gods, idols, and all the abominations” (2 Kings 23:24), highlighting the king’s resolve to restore exclusive devotion to Yahweh. Prophetic Denunciations Isaiah confronts Judah’s allure toward occult counsel: “When they say to you, ‘Consult the mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter,’ should not a people consult their God?” (Isaiah 8:19). The prophet redirects the nation to “the law and the testimony,” affirming Scripture as the only reliable light. Isaiah 19:3 extends the judgment to Egypt, whose spiritists will “confound” the nation under God’s hand, proving the futility of such counsel among the Gentiles as well. Spiritual Rationale The prohibition is not merely moral but theological: seeking a יִדְּעֹנִי supplants trust in divine revelation with a counterfeit source that is under demonic influence. Scripture portrays false spiritual intermediaries as agents of deception (cf. Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:20). Turning to them rejects God’s covenant lordship, invites ritual defilement, and opens the community to judgment. Consequences of Disobedience Saul’s downfall and Manasseh’s atrocities demonstrate that consulting mediums brings both personal ruin and national crisis. Conversely, Josiah’s purge shows that repentance and eradication of occult practices are prerequisites for revival. The narrative arc reinforces that obedience to God’s Word safeguards the people, while dabbling in forbidden knowledge leads to darkness and death. Relationship to Legitimate Revelation The יִדְּעֹנִי appears as a corrupt parody of the biblical prophet. Where prophets speak by the Spirit of the LORD, mediums rely on illegitimate spirits. The contrast underscores the uniqueness of God’s self-disclosure through inspired Scripture and foreshadows the New Covenant outpouring of the Holy Spirit, who alone “will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Continued Relevance for Ministry Modern fascination with séances, channeling, astrology, and occult media mirrors ancient practices condemned in the Old Testament. Pastors and teachers must warn believers that spiritual curiosity outside the bounds of Scripture invites bondage. Effective discipleship includes: Christological Fulfillment Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God (Hebrews 1:1–2). His victory over the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15) renders mediums powerless for those united to Him. By His resurrection, He removes the fear of death that often drives people to seek the counsel of spirits, offering instead the living fellowship of the risen Lord. Summary יִדְּעֹנִי epitomizes the forbidden quest for supernatural knowledge apart from God. Scripture’s consistent censure—rooted in the holiness of the LORD and the sufficiency of His Word—equips believers to resist occult enticements, cling to Christ, and proclaim the true light that overcomes every shadowed whisper of the dead. Forms and Transliterations הַ֠יִּדְּעֹנִים הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֖י הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֖ים הַיִּדְּעֹנִֽים׃ הידעני הידענים הידענים׃ וְיִדְּעֹנִ֑ים וְיִדְּעֹנִ֔י וְיִדְּעוֹנִ֑י וידעוני וידעני וידענים יִדְּעֹנִ֖י ידעני haiyiddeoNi haiyiddeoNim hay·yid·də·‘ō·nî hay·yid·də·‘ō·nîm hayyiddə‘ōnî hayyiddə‘ōnîm veyiddeoNi veyiddeoNim wə·yid·də·‘ō·nî wə·yid·də·‘ō·nîm wə·yid·də·‘ō·w·nî wəyiddə‘ōnî wəyiddə‘ōnîm wəyiddə‘ōwnî yid·də·‘ō·nî yiddə‘ōnî yiddeoNiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 19:31 HEB: הָאֹבֹת֙ וְאֶל־ הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים אַל־ תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּ NAS: to mediums or spiritists; do not seek KJV: neither seek after wizards, to be defiled INT: mediums to spiritists not seek Leviticus 20:6 Leviticus 20:27 Deuteronomy 18:11 1 Samuel 28:3 1 Samuel 28:9 2 Kings 21:6 2 Kings 23:24 2 Chronicles 33:6 Isaiah 8:19 Isaiah 19:3 11 Occurrences |
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