In the context of the Bible, the term "wizard" refers to individuals who practice sorcery, divination, or engage in occult activities. The Bible consistently condemns such practices, associating them with paganism and idolatry. Wizards are often mentioned alongside other practitioners of forbidden arts, such as witches, necromancers, and soothsayers.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains several references to wizards, often in the context of prohibitions against their practices. In Leviticus 19:31, the Israelites are commanded, "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." Similarly, Leviticus 20:6 warns, "Whoever turns to mediums or spiritists and prostitutes himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people."

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 provides a comprehensive list of forbidden practices, including wizardry: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD."

The narrative of King Saul consulting the medium at Endor (1 Samuel 28:7-25) illustrates the severity of turning to such practices. Despite having previously expelled wizards and mediums from the land, Saul seeks out a medium in desperation, leading to his downfall.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not specifically use the term "wizard," it continues to denounce practices associated with sorcery and magic. Acts 8:9-24 recounts the account of Simon the Sorcerer, who practiced magic in Samaria and attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles. Peter rebukes him, saying, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" (Acts 8:20).

In Acts 13:6-12, the apostle Paul encounters Elymas the sorcerer, also known as Bar-Jesus, who opposes the gospel. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebukes Elymas, resulting in his temporary blindness. This event underscores the incompatibility of sorcery with the message of Christ.

Theological Implications

The consistent biblical condemnation of wizards and related practices underscores the importance of relying solely on God for guidance and wisdom. Engaging in occult practices is seen as a form of idolatry, as it places trust in powers other than God. The Bible emphasizes that true wisdom and revelation come from God alone, as stated in James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, practices associated with wizardry were common and often intertwined with religious rituals. These practices were believed to provide insight into the future, control over natural forces, or communication with the dead. The biblical prohibitions against such practices served to distinguish the Israelites from surrounding nations and to maintain their covenant relationship with God.

Conclusion

The biblical stance on wizards and related practices is clear and unequivocal. Throughout Scripture, engaging in such activities is portrayed as a serious offense against God, leading to spiritual defilement and separation from the community of faith. The Bible calls believers to seek wisdom and guidance from God alone, rejecting all forms of occultism and sorcery.

Whether a Spell Can be an Impediment to Marriage?
... authority of holy men who state that the demons have power over men's bodies and
imaginations, when God allows them: wherefore by their means wizards can work ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a spell can be.htm

But There were Still Some that Irritated the Multitude against Me. ...
... change their religion to the religion of those to whom they fled for safety: they
spake reproachfully of them also, and said that they were wizards, and such ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 31 but there were.htm

The Rod that Troubled Egypt.
... Pharoah called his wise men and wizards, and they did the same, only Aaron's rod
swallowed up their rods, and Pharoah would not listen to their words. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xi the rod that.htm

Whether those to whom Christ's Birth was Made Known were Suitably ...
... 36:33]: "He sheweth His friend concerning it." But the Magi seem to be God's foes;
for it is written (Lev.19:31): "Go not aside after wizards [magi], neither ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether those to whom christs.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... of Manasseh, that he "made his sons pass through the fire, and observed times, and
used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards," 2 Kings 21:6 ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Past Knowledge.
... still more. Men can work now with ease such wonders as would have sent them
to the fire as wizards three hundred years ago. Science ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon li past knowledge.htm

Reformation Lessons
... King Josiah's destruction of the idols, and the temples of the false gods, and driving
out the wizards and workers with familiar spirits, were to them a ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxii reformation lessons.htm

Search the Scriptures
... We find that in Isaiah's time they went to strange places; for he says in the 19th
verse, that they sought unto familiar spirits, unto wizards that did peep ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/search the scriptures.htm

On the Morning of Christ's Nativity
... See how from far, upon the eastern road The star-led wizards haste with odors sweet:
O run, prevent them with thy humble ode, And lay it lowly at His blessed ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/on the morning of christs.htm

O what Amazement Befel the Evil One, of a Sudden, My Brethren ...
... For lo! the Chaldeans with the soothsayers, and lo! the wizards: with the diviners
they are smitten and the priests, with all evil ones!"16. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lx o what amazement.htm

Wizards (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wizards (10 Occurrences). Leviticus 19:31
"'Don't turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don ...
/w/wizards.htm - 10k

Mediums (10 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:31 "'Don't turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. ... Saul had
put away those who had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. ...
/m/mediums.htm - 10k

Familiar (35 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Leviticus 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek
after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. ...
/f/familiar.htm - 22k

Divined (6 Occurrences)
... in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits,
and the wizards, out of the land. (See JPS). 2 Kings 21:6 ...
/d/divined.htm - 8k

Wizard (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) One devoted to the black art; a magician; a conjurer; a sorcerer; an enchanter.
3. (a.) Enchanting; charming. 4. (a.) Haunted by wizards. Int. ...
/w/wizard.htm - 8k

Ghosts (3 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:31 Turn ye not unto them that have familiar spirits, nor unto the wizards;
seek them not out, to be defiled by them: I am Jehovah your God. ...
/g/ghosts.htm - 7k

Chirp (3 Occurrences)
... spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper (margin, "chirp") out of
the dust." The reference is to "the sounds made by wizards and ventriloquists ...
/c/chirp.htm - 8k

Enchantments (12 Occurrences)
... made his son to pass through the fire, and practiced sorcery, and used enchantments,
and dealt with those who had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he worked ...
/e/enchantments.htm - 11k

Practised (13 Occurrences)
... made his son to pass through the fire, and practised augury, and used enchantments,
and dealt with them that had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he wrought ...
/p/practised.htm - 10k

Practiced (22 Occurrences)
... made his son to pass through the fire, and practiced sorcery, and used enchantments,
and dealt with those who had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he worked ...
/p/practiced.htm - 13k

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