Amulets, often small objects worn or carried for protection or good fortune, are mentioned indirectly in the Bible, primarily in the context of prohibitions against idolatry and pagan practices. The use of amulets is generally associated with superstitions and religious practices of surrounding nations, which the Israelites were instructed to avoid.

Biblical References and Context

The Bible does not explicitly mention amulets by name, but it does address related practices. In the ancient Near East, amulets were commonly used for protection against evil spirits, diseases, and misfortune. These objects were often inscribed with magical formulas or symbols and were believed to possess inherent power.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the customs and religious practices of their pagan neighbors. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 states, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you."

The prophet Isaiah also speaks against the use of charms and amulets. In Isaiah 3:18-20 , the prophet lists various ornaments and accessories that the daughters of Zion wore, which included "pendants, bracelets, and veils," items that could have been used as amulets. The context suggests a condemnation of reliance on such objects for protection or beauty, as opposed to trusting in God.

Cultural and Historical Background

In the ancient world, amulets were often associated with the worship of false gods and the practice of magic. The Egyptians, Babylonians, and other neighboring cultures used amulets extensively. These objects were typically inscribed with the names of deities or magical incantations and were believed to offer protection or bring about desired outcomes.

The Israelites, however, were called to be distinct from these nations. The first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3), underscores the exclusive worship and reliance on Yahweh. The use of amulets, which implied trust in objects or other deities for protection, was contrary to the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Theological Implications

The biblical stance against amulets is rooted in the broader prohibition against idolatry and the call to trust solely in God. The use of amulets suggests a belief in the power of objects or other spiritual forces, which detracts from the sovereignty and sufficiency of God. In the biblical worldview, protection and blessing come from God alone, not from man-made objects or rituals.

The New Testament continues this theme by emphasizing faith in Christ as the source of spiritual protection and blessing. In Ephesians 6:10-11 , Paul writes, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." This passage highlights the spiritual resources available to believers, contrasting with reliance on physical objects like amulets.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention amulets, the principles found in Scripture clearly discourage their use. The biblical narrative consistently calls God's people to reject idolatry and superstitious practices, urging them instead to place their trust in the Lord.Ezekiel 13:20
Why thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, with which you there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that you hunt to make them fly.
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Ezekiel 13:18
And say, Thus said the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs on the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people, and will you save the souls alive that come to you?
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2 Kings 23:24
Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.
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Isaiah 2:6
Therefore you have forsaken your people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.
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Galatians 5:20
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, jealousies, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
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Acts 8:9-13
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
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Amulets

were ornaments, gems, scrolls. etc.. worn as preservatives against the power of enchantments, and generally inscribed with mystic forms or characters. The "earrings" in (Genesis 35:4) were obviously connected with idolatrous worship and were probably amulets taken from the bodies of the slain Shechemites. They are subsequently mentioned among the spoils of Midian. (Judges 8:24) In (Hosea 2:13) is another like reference. The "earrings" in (Isaiah 3:20) were also amulets.

3908. lachash -- a whispering, charming
... 3907, 3908. lachash. 3909 . a whispering, charming. Transliteration: lachash
Phonetic Spelling: (lakh'-ash) Short Definition: amulets. ...
/hebrew/3908.htm - 6k

Egyptian Theory of Nature; their Amulets.
... Book IV. Chapter XLIV."Egyptian Theory of Nature; Their Amulets. For the
monad, therefore, as being beneficent, they assert that ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xliv egyptian theory of nature.htm

They who are of the Priesthood, or of the Clergy...
... of the priesthood, or of the clergy, shall not be magicians, enchanters, mathematicians,
or astrologers; nor shall they make what are called amulets, which are ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xxxvi they who are.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... Amulets, used in sickness, [737]336; applied by old women, [738]298; a device of
Satan's, [739]ib.; the use of them condemned by the better sort of heathens ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

John Chapter i. 34-51
... So much so, my brethren, that those who seduce by means of amulets, by incantations,
by the devices of the enemy, mingle the name of Christ with their ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate vii john chapter i.htm

Eligius, Bishop of Noyon.
... He, therefore, is a good Christian who relies on no amulets, or inventions of Satan,
but sets all his hopes on Christ alone; who entertains strangers as ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/eligius bishop of noyon.htm

Christian Morals. Part iii.
... active on them. Trust not too much unto suggestions from reminiscential amulets,
[152] or artificial memorandums. Let the mortifying ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part iii.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Amos, no prophet, but God took him, [103]392. Amulets, the use of them condemned,
[104]21, [105]262. Ananias and Sapphira, by covetousness lost all, [106]89. ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

The Monk Nilus.
... earnest piety was awakened in him, which made him from the first fly the corrupt
manners prevalent in the houses of the great, and avoid amulets and magic ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/the monk nilus.htm

Place of Jesus in the History of the World.
... their essentially superstitious character. They only threw into the world
millions of amulets and charms. No great moral thought ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter i place of jesus.htm

They Falsely Promise Health to their Votaries.
... A diseased affection (pathos) is not destroyed by a counter-affection (antipatheia),
nor is a maniac cured by hanging little amulets of leather upon him. ...
/.../tatians address to the greeks/chapter xvii they falsely promise health.htm

Amulets (1 Occurrence)
...Amulets (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 3:20 the headtires, and the ankle chains, and the
sashes, and the perfume-boxes, and the amulets; (ASV DBY JPS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/a/amulets.htm - 6k

Amulet
... 1. Classes of Amulets: The substances out of which amulets have been made
and the forms which they have taken have been various. ...
/a/amulet.htm - 17k

Earring (7 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version (British and American) renders "amulets" for the King James
Version "earrings" in Isaiah 3:20, the Hebrew word (lechashim) being elsewhere ...
/e/earring.htm - 10k

Magician (5 Occurrences)
... Magic 2. Potency of Magical Words 3. Influence of Charms V. MAGICAL TERMS USED IN
THE BIBLE 1. Divination 2. Sorcery 3. Enchantment 4. Amulets 5. Incantation 6 ...
/m/magician.htm - 24k

Magic (12 Occurrences)
... Magic 2. Potency of Magical Words 3. Influence of Charms V. MAGICAL TERMS USED IN
THE BIBLE 1. Divination 2. Sorcery 3. Enchantment 4. Amulets 5. Incantation 6 ...
/m/magic.htm - 29k

Girdles (13 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV). Isaiah 3:20 the head-dresses, and the stepping chains,
and the girdles, and the scent-boxes, and the amulets; (DBY). ...
/g/girdles.htm - 10k

Images (158 Occurrences)
... of worship, (2) pictures, embodiments or dwelling-places (temple, ark, pillar, priests)
of deities worshipped, (3) empowered instruments (amulets, charms, etc ...
/i/images.htm - 70k

Earrings (14 Occurrences)
... In Isaiah 3:20 the Authorized Version has "ear-rings," and the Revised Version
"amulets," which more correctly represents the original word (lehashim), which ...
/e/earrings.htm - 11k

Medicine (4 Occurrences)
... Among the fellahin many common plants are used as folk-remedies, but they put most
confidence in amulets or charms, which are worn by most Palestinian peasants ...
/m/medicine.htm - 11k

Perfume-boxes (1 Occurrence)
... Perfume-boxes (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 3:20 the headtires, and the ankle chains, and
the sashes, and the perfume-boxes, and the amulets; (ASV BBE). ...
/p/perfume-boxes.htm - 6k

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