Sooth-saying, often referred to as divination or fortune-telling, is the practice of seeking to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge through supernatural means. This practice is explicitly condemned in the Bible, as it is seen as an attempt to gain insight or control over the future apart from God’s revelation and sovereignty.

Biblical Condemnation of Sooth-saying

The Bible consistently warns against sooth-saying and similar practices. In the Old Testament, the Israelites are instructed to avoid such practices as they enter the Promised Land. 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 practice of sooth-saying is associated with pagan nations and is considered an abomination to God. It is seen as a form of idolatry, as it places trust in powers other than the one true God. Leviticus 19:26 commands, "You must not eat anything with blood still in it. You must not practice divination or sooth-saying."

Examples in Scripture

Several biblical narratives illustrate the dangers and futility of sooth-saying. In 1 Samuel 28, King Saul, in desperation, seeks out a medium to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. This act of disobedience further alienates Saul from God and leads to his downfall. The narrative underscores the futility and spiritual peril of seeking guidance apart from God.

In the New Testament, Acts 16:16-18 recounts the account of a slave girl in Philippi who had a spirit of divination. She followed Paul and his companions, proclaiming them as servants of the Most High God. Paul, troubled by the spirit, commanded it to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ, and she was freed. This incident highlights the power of Christ over demonic forces and the rejection of sooth-saying by the early church.

Theological Implications

Sooth-saying is fundamentally at odds with the biblical understanding of God’s sovereignty and providence. Scripture teaches that God alone knows the future and that He reveals His will through His Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 46:9-10 declares, "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come, saying, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will accomplish all that I please.’"

The practice of sooth-saying is a rejection of trust in God’s plan and timing. Believers are called to live by faith, trusting in God’s wisdom and timing rather than seeking forbidden knowledge. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the existence of supernatural powers, it unequivocally condemns the practice of sooth-saying. Believers are called to seek guidance and wisdom from God alone, relying on His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The practice of sooth-saying is seen as a dangerous and spiritually perilous attempt to circumvent God’s authority and revelation.3132. manteuomai -- to divine
... to divine. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: manteuomai Phonetic Spelling:
(mant-yoo'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I practice soothsaying Definition: I divine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3132.htm - 6k

4436. puthon -- Python, a mythical serpent slain by Apollo ...
... where Delphi, the seat of the famous oracle, was located); a Python, ie (by analogy,
with the supposed diviner there) inspiration (soothsaying) -- divination. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4436.htm - 6k

6049a. anan -- to practice soothsaying
... 6049, 6049a. anan. 6049b . to practice soothsaying. Transliteration:
anan Short Definition: witchcraft. Word Origin a prim. root ...
/hebrew/6049a.htm - 5k

6049. anan -- to practice soothsaying
... 6048, 6049. anan. 6049a . to practice soothsaying. Transliteration: anan
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nan') Short Definition: bring. bring ...
/hebrew/6049.htm - 5k

Apollo the Soothsaying and False.
... XI."Apollo the Soothsaying and False. Ye make Apollo a player on the cithara,
and divine. Born at first of Maia, in the isle of ...
/.../the instructions of commodianus/xi apollo the soothsaying and false.htm

That Astrology, Soothsaying, and Similar Arts are the Invention of ...
... the divine institutes. Book II. Of the Origin of Error. Chap. XVII."That Astrology,
Soothsaying, and Similar Arts are the Invention of Demons. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvii that astrology soothsaying and.htm

1 Cor. xii. 1, 2
... disturbance among them. This is the reason why he begins by first stating
the difference between soothsaying and prophecy. For this ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxix 1 cor xii.htm

Secret Study of the Holy Scriptures.
... in that direction), that predictive prophecy is hardly to be recognized anywhere;
that it is better out of our thoughts; that it is but "soothsaying" after all ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iii secret study of.htm

The Greek Theogony Exposed.
... These, then, are the exploits of the sons of Saturn. And your illustrious son of
Latona [Apollo], who professed soothsaying, convicted himself of lying. ...
/.../justins discourse to the greeks/chapter ii the greek theogony exposed.htm

The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ...
... Goats, too, have been confederates in this art of soothsaying, trained to divination;
and crows taught by men to give oracular responses to men. ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ii the absurdity and impiety.htm

Directions to Sinners.
... at Philippi, who was possessed with a spirit of divination, or in other words, the
spirit of the devil, and brought her masters much gain by her soothsaying. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xviii directions to sinners.htm

Commandment Eleventh. The Spirit and Prophets to be Tried by their ...
... no connection with such spirits, but keep away from them; but as many as are of
doubtful minds and frequently repent, betake themselves to soothsaying, even as ...
/.../the pastor books first second third/commandment eleventh the spirit and.htm

The Introduction of the Gospel into Europe, and the Ministry of ...
... says Luke, "as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of
divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: the same ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter vi the introduction of.htm

In the Regions Beyond
... And this did she many days.". This woman was a special agent of Satan and
had brought to her masters much gain by soothsaying. Her ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 21 in the regions.htm

Soothsaying (4 Occurrences)
... making predictions. 3. (n.) A prediction; a prophecy; a prognostication.
Multi-Version Concordance Soothsaying (4 Occurrences). Acts 16 ...
/s/soothsaying.htm - 8k

Sooth-saying (1 Occurrence)
Sooth-saying. Soothsaying, Sooth-saying. Sop . Multi-Version Concordance
Sooth-saying (1 Occurrence). ... Soothsaying, Sooth-saying. Sop . Reference Bible.
/s/sooth-saying.htm - 6k

Astrology
... as-trol'-o-ji: I. THE DESIRE TO FORECAST THE FUTURE 1. Methods of Soothsaying 2.
Divination 3. Looking in the Liver 4. The Astrologers, or Dividers of the ...
/a/astrology.htm - 38k

Provoking (29 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 21:6 And he made his son to pass through the fire, and practised soothsaying,
and used enchantments, and appointed them that divined by a ghost or a ...
/p/provoking.htm - 16k

Sop (3 Occurrences)

/s/sop.htm - 8k

Employment (5 Occurrences)
... came to pass in our going on to prayer, a certain maid, having a spirit of Python,
did meet us, who brought much employment to her masters by soothsaying, (YLT ...
/e/employment.htm - 8k

Enchantment (4 Occurrences)
... They included enchantment, sorcery, witchcraft, sooth-saying, augury, necromancy,
divination in numberless forms, and all kinds of magic article Nine varieties ...
/e/enchantment.htm - 16k

Damsel (43 Occurrences)
... came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of
divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: (KJV WBS ...
/d/damsel.htm - 20k

Soothsayer (4 Occurrences)
... Hebrews (see SORCERER.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) One who foretells events
by the art of soothsaying; a prognosticator. 2. (n.) A mantis. ...
/s/soothsayer.htm - 8k

Spiritists (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 21:6 And he made his son to pass through the fire, and practised soothsaying,
and used enchantments, and appointed them that divined by a ghost or a ...
/s/spiritists.htm - 9k

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