In biblical terms, a "consulter" refers to an individual who seeks guidance, knowledge, or information from sources outside of God's revealed will, often through forbidden or occult practices. The term is frequently associated with those who engage in divination, necromancy, or other forms of seeking supernatural insight apart from God.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several warnings against consulting with mediums, spiritists, or engaging in practices that seek to uncover hidden knowledge through supernatural means. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Israelites are explicitly instructed: "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 prohibition against such practices underscores the importance of relying solely on God for guidance and wisdom. The Israelites were to be distinct from the surrounding nations, who often engaged in these practices as part of their religious and cultural traditions.

Notable Biblical Examples

One of the most notable examples of a consulter in the Bible is King Saul. In 1 Samuel 28, Saul, facing the threat of the Philistine army and having lost favor with God, seeks out the Witch of Endor to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. This act of desperation highlights Saul's departure from reliance on God and his turn to forbidden practices. The narrative illustrates the futility and danger of seeking guidance outside of God's will, as Saul receives a message of doom rather than hope.

Prophetic Condemnation

The prophets of Israel frequently condemned the practice of consulting mediums and spiritists. Isaiah 8:19 warns, "When men tell you to consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, should not a people consult their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?" This rhetorical question emphasizes the absurdity and spiritual peril of seeking guidance from the dead rather than from the living God.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not explicitly use the term "consulter," it continues the theme of warning against engaging in occult practices. Acts 16:16-18 recounts the account of a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination, who earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. The Apostle Paul, recognizing the source of her abilities, commands the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ, demonstrating the power of God over such practices.

Theological Implications

From a theological standpoint, the role of a consulter is antithetical to the biblical call to trust in God alone. Scripture consistently teaches that God is the ultimate source of wisdom and guidance. James 1:5 encourages believers, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This verse underscores the sufficiency of God's provision for those who seek Him earnestly.

In summary, the concept of a consulter in the Bible serves as a cautionary example of the dangers of seeking knowledge and guidance outside of God's ordained means. The consistent biblical message is to rely on God and His Word for direction, wisdom, and understanding.(n.) One who consults, or asks counsel or information.

But this Time Also had I Rejected the Lying Divinations and ...
... did, unawares to them who spake it, who stumbled upon it, through their oft speaking."
Thou providedst then a friend for me, no negligent consulter of the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vi but this time.htm

He Refutes the Divinations of the Astrologers, Deduced from the ...
... unawares to the predictors, who lighted on it by their oft speaking." Thou, therefore,
didst provide a friend for me, who was no negligent consulter of the ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter vi he refutes the divinations.htm

Prophets and the Prophet
... enchanter, or a witch, 11. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits,
or a wizard, or a necromancer.12. For all that do ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/prophets and the prophet.htm

Letter cviii. To Theodore, Bishop of Forum Julii.
... But in order that the consulter's doubts may in any case be set at rest, I will
not keep back the Church's rules about the state of penitents. II. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter cviii to theodore bishop.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... law. There shall not be found among you an enchanter, or a witch, or a
consulter with familiar spirits.' Deuteronomy 18:10, 11. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

Book Seven the Conversion to Neoplatonism. ...
... And thou also providedst a friend for me, who was not a negligent consulter of the
astrologers even though he was not thoroughly skilled in the art either"as ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book seven the conversion to.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times,
or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Consulter (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Consulter (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer,
or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. ...
/c/consulter.htm - 6k

Consulteth (7 Occurrences)

/c/consulteth.htm - 8k

Consulted (33 Occurrences)

/c/consulted.htm - 16k

Necromancer (1 Occurrence)
... Necromancer (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer, or a consulter with
a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV). ...
/n/necromancer.htm - 7k

Wizard (3 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit,
or a wizard, or a necromancer. (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV). ...
/w/wizard.htm - 8k

Medium (4 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar
spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. (See NAS RSV NIV). 1 ...
/m/medium.htm - 8k

Consult (27 Occurrences)
... speaks of the king of Babylonian consulting the teraphim (Ezekiel 21:21) and the
Israelites were admonished to have noting to do with "a consulter with a ...
/c/consult.htm - 16k

Casts (21 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY NAS). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar
spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. (See NAS NIV). ...
/c/casts.htm - 11k

Charmer (5 Occurrences)
... Charmer (5 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar
spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV) ...
/c/charmer.htm - 8k

Astrology
... magical knots. "A consulter with a familiar spirit" ('obh), denotes one
who is possessed of a python or soothsaying demon. Such ...
/a/astrology.htm - 38k

Consulter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus