Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, diviners are individuals who claim to communicate with the dead or use supernatural means to gain insight into the future or hidden knowledge. The practice of divination is explicitly condemned in the Scriptures, as it is seen as an attempt to bypass God's sovereign will and seek guidance from sources other than Him.Old Testament References The Old Testament contains several references to divination and the consultation of the dead, often in the context of pagan practices that the Israelites were commanded to avoid. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , God warns the Israelites: "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 divination is reiterated in Leviticus 19:31 : "You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." This underscores the seriousness with which God views the practice, associating it with spiritual defilement. One of the most notable biblical accounts involving divination and the dead is the account of King Saul and the medium of Endor in 1 Samuel 28. In desperation, Saul 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 illustrates the futility and danger of seeking guidance from the dead rather than from God. New Testament Perspective While the New Testament does not directly address the practice of consulting the dead, it continues to affirm the Old Testament's stance against divination and sorcery. Acts 16:16-18 recounts the account of a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination, who is freed by the Apostle Paul: "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. This girl 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." This passage highlights the power of Christ over demonic forces and the rejection of any form of divination as contrary to the Christian faith. Theological Implications From a theological standpoint, the practice of divination and consulting the dead is seen as a violation of the first commandment, which calls for exclusive worship and reliance on God. It reflects a lack of trust in God's providence and a desire to control one's own destiny through forbidden means. The Bible consistently portrays such practices as spiritually dangerous and incompatible with a life of faith. In summary, the biblical view of diviners and the consultation of the dead is one of strong prohibition. The Scriptures call believers to seek wisdom and guidance from God alone, rejecting any form of divination as contrary to His will and purpose. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 8:19And when they shall say to you, Seek to them that have familiar spirits, and to wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek to their God? for the living to the dead? Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Prophets and the Prophet Of Porphyry's Epistle to Anebo, in which He Asks for Information ... Whether we Ought to Distinguish Several Species of Divination? The Cruelty of Herod Toward the Infants, and the Manner of his ... Whether Divination is a Species of Superstition? Professions of Some Kinds Allied to Idolatry. Of Astrology in ... The Ark among the Philistines How Archelaus Upon a Second Accusation, was Banished to vienna. The Canonical Epistle of St. Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, to St. ... Of the Causes which Alienate us from God. Resources What is the Egyptian Book of the Dead? | GotQuestions.orgIs raising the dead still possible today? | GotQuestions.org Is God dead? | GotQuestions.org Dead: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Dead (People): Burnings of Incense Made For Dead (People): Jairus' Daughter Dead (People): Prepared for Burial by Washing Dead (People): Raised to Life, (See Dead (People): The Shunammite Woman's Son Dead (People): The Son of the Widow of Zarephath Dead (People): The Widow's Son Dead (People): The Young Man Laid in Elisha's Grave Dead (People): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Dead (People): Wrapping in Linen The Dead in a House Rendered It Unclean The Dead were Washed and Laid Out The Dead were Wrapped in Lined With Spices The Dead: A Priest not to Mourn For, Except when Near of Kin The Dead: A State of Deep Affliction The Dead: All offerings To, Forbidden The Dead: Characterised by Absence of all Human Passions The Dead: Characterised by Being Incapable of Motion The Dead: Characterised by Being Without the Spirit The Dead: Characterised by Ignorance of all Human Affairs The Dead: Characterised by Inability to Glorify God The Dead: Even Bones of, Caused Uncleanness The Dead: Eyes of, Closed by Nearest of Kin The Dead: Freedom from the Law The Dead: Freedom from the Power of Sin The Dead: Heathenish Expressions of Grief For, Forbidden The Dead: High Priest in No Case to Mourn For The Dead: Idolaters: Consecrated Part of Their Crops To The Dead: Idolaters: Invoked and Consulted The Dead: Idolaters: Offered Sacrifices For The Dead: Idolaters: Tore Themselves For The Dead: Instances of, Restored by Christ The Dead: Instances of, Restored to Life Before Christ The Dead: Man's State by Nature The Dead: Mourning For, often by Hired Mourners The Dead: Mourning For, often with Plaintive Music The Dead: Mourning For, often: Lasted Many Days The Dead: Mourning For, often: Loud and Clamorous The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Change of Apparel The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Covering the Head The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Taring the Hair The Dead: Mourning For, often: Testified by Tearing the Garments The Dead: Mourning For, often: Very Great The Dead: Nazarites not to Touch or Mourn For The Dead: Regard often Shown to the Memory of The Dead: Return not to This Life The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Carcases The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Corpses The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Deceased The Dead: Terms Used to Express: Those Who are Not The Dead: The Jews Looked for a Resurrection From The Dead: They Who Have Departed This Life The Dead: Those Defiled By, Removed from the Camp The Dead: Touching of, Caused Uncleanness The Dead: Uncleanness Contracted From, Removed by the Water Separation Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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