Divination, in the biblical context, refers to the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means. The Bible consistently portrays divination as contrary to the will of God, associating it with pagan practices and false prophets. It is often mentioned alongside other forbidden practices such as witchcraft, sorcery, and necromancy.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains numerous prohibitions against divination. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Israelites are explicitly warned: "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 practice of divination is often linked with idolatry and rebellion against God. In 1 Samuel 15:23 , Samuel rebukes King Saul, saying, "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king."

The prophet Ezekiel also condemns divination, highlighting its deceptive nature. In Ezekiel 13:6-7 , he speaks against false prophets: "They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. Have you not seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken?"

New Testament References

In the New Testament, divination is similarly condemned. Acts 16:16-18 recounts the account of a slave girl in Philippi who had a spirit of divination: "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. She 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."

The practice of divination is also included in the list of sinful behaviors in Galatians 5:19-21 , where Paul warns, "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, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, divination is seen as an attempt to gain knowledge or power apart from God, undermining trust in His sovereignty and providence. It is considered a form of spiritual adultery, as it seeks guidance and revelation from sources other than the one true God. The Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom and guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit, rather than through forbidden practices like divination.

Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, divination was a common practice among pagan cultures. Methods included interpreting omens, consulting oracles, and using objects like arrows, livers, or stars to predict the future. The Israelites were surrounded by nations that engaged in these practices, which is why the biblical prohibitions are so emphatic. The biblical narrative consistently calls God's people to be distinct and set apart, relying solely on Him for guidance and revelation.7080. qasam -- to practice divination
... Usage conjure (1), divination (2), divine (2), diviner (2), diviners (7), divining
(1), practice (1), practiced (1), use (1), uses (1), utter...divinations (1 ...
/hebrew/7080.htm - 6k

Of Superstition in Divinations (Eight Articles)
... OF SUPERSTITION IN DIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES). We must now consider superstition
in divinations, under which head there are eight points of inquiry: ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of superstition in divinations eight.htm

He Refutes the Divinations of the Astrologers, Deduced from the ...
... Book VII. Chapter VI."He Refutes the Divinations of the Astrologers, Deduced
from the Constellations. 8. Now also had I repudiated ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter vi he refutes the divinations.htm

But this Time Also had I Rejected the Lying Divinations and ...
... Book VII Chapter VI But this time also had I rejected the lying divinations
and impious dotages of the? But this time also had ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vi but this time.htm

Whether we Ought to Distinguish Several Species of Divination?
... OF SUPERSTITION IN DIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether we ought to distinguish
several species of divination? ... Therefore all divinations are of one species. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether we ought to distinguish.htm

Whether Divination by the Stars is Unlawful?
... OF SUPERSTITION IN DIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether divination by the stars
is unlawful? Objection 1: It would seem that divination ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination by the stars.htm

Whether Divination by Auguries, Omens, and by Like Observations of ...
... OF SUPERSTITION IN DIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether divination by auguries,
omens, and by like observations of external things is unlawful? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination by auguries omens.htm

Whether Divination is a Sin?
... OF SUPERSTITION IN DIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether divination is a sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination is not a sin. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination is a sin.htm

Whether There are Various Species of Superstition?
... directed to God, as stated above ([3094]Q[81], A[1]). Therefore superstition, which
is opposed to religion, is not specified according to divinations of human ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there are various species.htm

Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
... Devils, abhor the unguent of the Spirit, [3282]415; divinations of, condemned and
defied, [3283]508. Disputes, contagious, [3284]467, [3285]493. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles to.htm

Of the Prophecies of the Old Testament in their visible ...
... vain and unlawful observances of curious superstitions, whether they be addicted
to (the inanities of) public spectacles, or charms, or divinations of devils ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 27 of the prophecies of.htm

Divinations (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Divinations (10 Occurrences). Numbers 22:7 And the
elders of Moab and the elders of Midian go, and divinations...
/d/divinations.htm - 9k

Divine (39 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for
I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD ...
/d/divine.htm - 19k

User (2 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 18:10 there is not found in thee one causing his son and his daughter
to pass over into fire, a user of divinations, an observer of clouds, and an ...
/u/user.htm - 7k

With (66342 Occurrences)
... and wizards, while, as we shall see, the words indicate that such practitioners
professed to rely upon spirits in their divinations, the Scriptures carefully ...
/w/with.htm - 20k

Interprets (2 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 18:10 there is not found in thee one causing his son and his daughter
to pass over into fire, a user of divinations, an observer of clouds, and an ...
/i/interprets.htm - 7k

Devils (48 Occurrences)
... and wizards, while, as we shall see, the words indicate that such practitioners
professed to rely upon spirits in their divinations, the Scriptures carefully ...
/d/devils.htm - 31k

Demons (54 Occurrences)
... and wizards, while, as we shall see, the words indicate that such practitioners
professed to rely upon spirits in their divinations, the Scriptures carefully ...
/d/demons.htm - 34k

Communion (8 Occurrences)
... and wizards, while, as we shall see, the words indicate that such practitioners
professed to rely upon spirits in their divinations, the Scriptures carefully ...
/c/communion.htm - 30k

Clouds (99 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 18:10 there is not found in thee one causing his son and his daughter
to pass over into fire, a user of divinations, an observer of clouds, and an ...
/c/clouds.htm - 35k

Causing (248 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 18:10 there is not found in thee one causing his son and his daughter
to pass over into fire, a user of divinations, an observer of clouds, and an ...
/c/causing.htm - 38k

Why is the lack of visions and divinations considered a punishment (Micah 3:6)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about premonitions? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about false prophets? | GotQuestions.org

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