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Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/nlt/isaiah/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? <a href="/esv/isaiah/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/bsb/isaiah/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/kjv/isaiah/8.htm">King James Bible</a> And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? <a href="/nkjv/isaiah/8.htm">New King James Version</a> And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/nasb_/isaiah/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When they say to you, “Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should a people not consult their God? Should they consult the dead in behalf of the living? <a href="/nasb/isaiah/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> When they say to you, &#8220Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,&#8221 should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/nasb77/isaiah/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And when they say to you, “Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/lsb/isaiah/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/amp/isaiah/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When the people [instead of trusting God] say to you, “Consult the mediums [who try to talk to the dead] and the soothsayers who chirp and whisper and mutter,” should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/csb/isaiah/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the spiritists who chirp and mutter,” shouldn’t a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/hcsb/isaiah/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When they say to you, &#8220Consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who chirp and mutter,&#8221 shouldn&#8217t a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/asv/isaiah/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto the wizards, that chirp and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living should they seek unto the dead? <a href="/cev/isaiah/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Someone may say to you, "Go to the fortunetellers who make soft chirping sounds or ask the spirits of the dead. After all, a nation ought to be able to ask its own gods <a href="/erv/isaiah/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto the wizards, that chirp and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living should they seek unto the dead? <a href="/gwt/isaiah/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> People will say to you, "Ask for help from the mediums and the fortunetellers, who whisper and mutter." Shouldn't people ask their God for help instead? Why should they ask the dead to help the living? <a href="/gnt/isaiah/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> But people will tell you to ask for messages from fortunetellers and mediums, who chirp and mutter. They will say, "After all, people should ask for messages from the spirits and consult the dead on behalf of the living." <a href="/isv/isaiah/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> "So when they advise you, 'Ask the mediums your questions, and quiz the spiritists who chirp and mutter,' shouldn't a people instead be consulting their God— and not the dead— on behalf of those who are living <a href="/msb/isaiah/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn?t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/net/isaiah/8.htm">NET Bible</a> They will say to you, "Seek oracles at the pits used to conjure up underworld spirits, from the magicians who chirp and mutter incantations. Should people not seek oracles from their gods, by asking the dead about the destiny of the living?" <a href="/nheb/isaiah/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When they tell you, "Consult with the spirits of the dead and familiar spirits who chirp and who mutter. Shouldn't a people consult with their gods, by consulting the dead on behalf of the living?" <a href="/wbt/isaiah/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And 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? <a href="/web/isaiah/8.htm">World English Bible</a> When they tell you, “Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter,” shouldn’t a people consult with their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/isaiah/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And when they say to you, “Seek to those having familiar spirits, "" And to wizards, who chatter and mutter,” "" Does a people not seek to its God? To the dead on behalf of the living? <a href="/ylt/isaiah/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And when they say unto you, 'Seek unto those having familiar spirits, And unto wizards, who chatter and mutter, Doth not a people seek unto its God? -- For the living unto the dead! <a href="/slt/isaiah/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And when they shall say to you, Seek ye to necromancers and to wizards peeping and panting: shall not a people seek their God among the living for the dead?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/isaiah/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when they shall say to you: Seek of pythons, and of diviners, who mutter in their enchantments: should not the people seek of their God, for the living of the dead? <a href="/cpdv/isaiah/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And though they say to you, “Seek from seers and diviners,” they who hiss in their incantations, should not the people seek from their God, for the sake of the living, and not from the dead? <a href="/nabre/isaiah/8.htm">New American Bible</a> And when they say to you, “Inquire of ghosts and soothsayers who chirp and mutter; should not a people inquire of their gods, consulting the dead on behalf of the living, <a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now if people say to you, “Consult the ghosts and the familiar spirits that chirp and mutter; should not a people consult their gods, the dead on behalf of the living,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when they shall say to you, Inquire of men who have familiar spirits and of wise men who chirp and mutter, these men are not God's people, who inquire of the dead concerning the living. <a href="/hpbt/isaiah/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And when they will say to you, “Inquire from Necromancers and from Soothsayers who shriek and murmur” they are not the people of God, those who ask the dead about life<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/isaiah/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And when they shall say unto you: 'Seek unto the ghosts and the familiar spirits, that chirp and that mutter; should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living unto the dead <a href="/sep/isaiah/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And if they should say to you, Seek those who have in them a divining spirit, and them that speak out of the earth, them that speak vain words, who speak out of their belly: shall not a nation diligently seek to their God? why do they seek to the dead concerning the living? <a href="/parallel/isaiah/8-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=1791" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/isaiah/8.htm">Darkness and Light</a> 19<a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: wə·ḵî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">When</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: yō·mə·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">men tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- To, into, towards. ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: dir·šū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">to consult</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/178.htm" title="178: hā·’ō·ḇō·wṯ (Art:: N-mp) -- From the same as 'ab; properly, a mumble, i.e. A water skin; hence a necromancer.">the spirits of the dead</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3049.htm" title="3049: hay·yid·də·‘ō·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Familiar spirit. From yada'; properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; a ghost.">and the spiritists</a> <a href="/hebrew/6850.htm" title="6850: ham·ṣap̄·ṣə·p̄îm (Art:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- To chirp, peep. A primitive root; to coo or chirp.">who whisper</a> <a href="/hebrew/1897.htm" title="1897: wə·ham·mah·gîm (Conj-w, Art:: V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- To moan, growl, utter, speak, muse. A primitive root; to murmur; by implication, to ponder.">and mutter,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">shouldn’t</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am (N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">a people</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: yiḏ·rōš (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">consult</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">their God instead?</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: ham·mê·ṯîm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">Why consult the dead</a> <a href="/hebrew/1157.htm" title="1157: bə·‘aḏ (Prep) -- From ad with prepositional prefix; in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc.">on behalf of</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ha·ḥay·yîm (Art:: Adj-mp) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">the living?</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> 20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a> 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. <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Leviticus 19:31</a> 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. <a href="/1_samuel/28-7.htm">1 Samuel 28:7-8</a> Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” “There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied. / So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.” <a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm">2 Kings 21:6</a> He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. <a href="/2_chronicles/33-6.htm">2 Chronicles 33:6</a> He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. <a href="/jeremiah/27-9.htm">Jeremiah 27:9-10</a> But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who declare, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ / For they prophesy to you a lie that will serve to remove you from your land; I will banish you and you will perish. <a href="/jeremiah/29-8.htm">Jeremiah 29:8-9</a> For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them. / For they are falsely prophesying to you in My name; I have not sent them, declares the LORD.” <a href="/micah/5-12.htm">Micah 5:12</a> I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers. <a href="/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16-18</a> 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. <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a> 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, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. <a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a> But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.” <a href="/revelation/22-15.htm">Revelation 22:15</a> But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a> No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too. <a href="/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11-12</a> Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. / For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. <a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">1 Timothy 4:1</a> Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And 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?seek<a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Isaiah 19:3</a> And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.<a href="/leviticus/20-6.htm">Leviticus 20:6</a> And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.<a href="/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Deuteronomy 18:11</a> Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.that peep<a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm">Isaiah 29:4</a> And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.should not<a href="/1_samuel/28-16.htm">1 Samuel 28:16</a> Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?<a href="/2_kings/1-3.htm">2 Kings 1:3</a> But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?<a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a> But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.for the living<a href="/psalms/106-28.htm">Psalm 106:28</a> They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.<a href="/jeremiah/10-10.htm">Jeremiah 10:10</a> But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.<a href="/1_thessalonians/1-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:9</a> For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/3-2.htm">Arts</a> <a href="/psalms/132-1.htm">Behalf</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm">Bird-Like</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-16.htm">Chatter</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm">Chirp</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-12.htm">Consult</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">Control</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-25.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-9.htm">Familiar</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Ghosts</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-4.htm">Hollow</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-10.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-9.htm">Mediums</a> <a href="/psalms/115-8.htm">Mutter</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-3.htm">Necromancers</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-16.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/job/21-4.htm">Shouldn't</a> <a href="/isaiah/2-6.htm">Soothsayers</a> <a href="/psalms/108-2.htm">Sounds</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-9.htm">Spiritists</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/psalms/107-29.htm">Whisper</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-6.htm">Wizards</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/44-11.htm">Arts</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-10.htm">Behalf</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm">Bird-Like</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-14.htm">Chatter</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-14.htm">Chirp</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Consult</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Control</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-9.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Familiar</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Ghosts</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Hollow</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-12.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Mediums</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-3.htm">Mutter</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Necromancers</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-13.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Shouldn't</a> <a href="/jeremiah/27-9.htm">Soothsayers</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-31.htm">Sounds</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Spiritists</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-21.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-16.htm">Whisper</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Wizards</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 8</div>1. <a href="/isaiah/8-1.htm">In Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, he prophesies Syria and Israel shall be subdued by Assyria</a> 5. <a href="/isaiah/8-5.htm">Judah likewise for their infidelity</a> 9. <a href="/isaiah/8-9.htm">God's judgments shall be irresistible</a> 11. <a href="/isaiah/8-11.htm">Comfort shall be to those who fear God</a> 19. <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Great afflictions to idolaters</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 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href="/study/chapters/isaiah/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, In ancient Israel, consulting mediums and spiritists was a common practice among surrounding pagan nations. These individuals claimed to communicate with the dead or with spirits to gain insight or knowledge. The whispering and muttering refer to the secretive and often unintelligible incantations used in their rituals. This practice was explicitly forbidden in the Law of Moses (<a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Leviticus 19:31</a>, <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10-12</a>) as it was considered an abomination and a direct violation of the first commandment, which calls for exclusive worship and reliance on God. The cultural context highlights a time when Israel was tempted to adopt the practices of neighboring nations, leading them away from their covenant relationship with God.shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? This rhetorical question emphasizes the absurdity of seeking guidance from the dead or from spirits when the living God, who is all-knowing and all-powerful, is available to His people. It underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God promised to be their guide and protector (<a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5-6</a>). The call to consult God instead of mediums is a reminder of the prophets' role as God's mouthpiece, providing divine guidance and revelation. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of seeking wisdom and understanding from God alone (<a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a>).Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? This question challenges the logic and efficacy of seeking wisdom from the dead, who have no power or knowledge to influence the living. It reflects the biblical understanding that God is the source of life and truth, and only He can provide the guidance necessary for living a righteous life. The futility of consulting the dead is further illustrated in the story of King Saul and the medium of Endor (1 Samuel 28), where Saul's desperation leads him to seek counsel from a spirit, resulting in his downfall. This phrase reinforces the biblical teaching that life and wisdom come from God alone, and it foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the living Word and ultimate source of life (<a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4</a>, <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a> A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He served as a prophet in Judah during the reigns of several kings and is known for his messages of both judgment and hope. 2. <a href="/topical/s/spiritists_and_mediums.htm">Spiritists and Mediums</a> Individuals who claim to communicate with the dead or with spirits. In ancient Israel, consulting such individuals was forbidden by God, as it was seen as a form of idolatry and rebellion against Him. 3. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, where Isaiah primarily ministered. During Isaiah's time, Judah faced threats from surrounding nations and internal spiritual decline. 4. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The one true God of Israel, whom Isaiah calls the people to consult instead of turning to forbidden practices. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_living_and_the_dead.htm">The Living and the Dead</a> The living refers to the people of Judah, while the dead refers to the spirits that the people were wrongly consulting.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/consult_god_first.htm">Consult God First</a> In times of uncertainty or fear, believers are encouraged to seek guidance from God through prayer and His Word, rather than turning to worldly or forbidden sources. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_spiritual_matters.htm">Discernment in Spiritual Matters</a> Christians are called to exercise discernment and avoid practices that are contrary to God's commands, recognizing that not all spiritual experiences are from God. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a> Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He has the answers and guidance we need, even when the world offers seemingly easier or more immediate solutions. <a href="/topical/r/rejecting_idolatry.htm">Rejecting Idolatry</a> Consulting mediums or spiritists is a form of idolatry, as it places trust in something other than God. Believers must guard against idolatry in all its forms. <a href="/topical/l/living_by_faith,_not_fear.htm">Living by Faith, Not Fear</a> The temptation to seek forbidden guidance often stems from fear. Christians are called to live by faith, trusting in God's provision and protection.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) And when they shall say unto you . . .--This then was the temptation to which the disciples of Isaiah were exposed, and to which they were all but yielding. Why should not they do as others did, and consult the soothsayers, who were in such great demand (<a href="/isaiah/2-6.htm" title="Therefore you have forsaken your people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.">Isaiah 2:6</a>), as to the anxious secrets of the coming years. The words point to some of the many forms of such soothsaying (<a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm" title="There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.">Deuteronomy 18:10</a>). The "familiar spirit" (the English term being a happy paraphrase rather than a translation), is closely connected, as in the case of the witch of Endor (<a href="/context/1_samuel/28-1.htm" title="And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, Know you assuredly, that you shall go out with me to battle, you and your men.">1Samuel 28:1-20</a>), with the idea of necromancy, i.e., with the claim to have a demon or spirit of divination (<a href="/acts/16-16.htm" title="And it 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:">Acts 16:16</a>), on the part of the wizards (comp. Hom. Il. xxiii. 10; Virg. ?n., vi. 492) that "peep" (old English for "pipe," "chirp," "whisper") "and mutter." This peculiar intonation, thrilling each nerve with a sense of expectant awe, seems to have been characteristic of the soothsayers of Isaiah's time (<a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm" title="And you shall be brought down, and shall speak out of the ground, and your speech shall be low out of the dust, and your voice shall be, as of one that has a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and your speech shall whisper out of the dust.">Isaiah 29:4</a>).Should not a people seek unto their God? . . .--That, the prophet says, is the only true pathway to such knowledge as is good for man. The latter part of the question is abruptly elliptical: Are men to seek on behalf of the living to the dead? What ground, he seems to ask, have we for thinking that the spirits of the dead can be recalled to earth, or, if that were possible, that they know more than the living do? May it not even be that they know less? The prophet views the state of the departed as Hezekiah views it (<a href="/isaiah/38-18.htm" title="For the grave cannot praise you, death can not celebrate you: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for your truth.">Isaiah 38:18</a>), as one, not of annihilation, but of dormant or weakened powers. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 19-22. - ISAIAH RECOMMENDS LOOKING TO GOD AND THE REVEALED WORD RATHER THAN TO NECROMANCY. AFFLICTION WILL BRING ISRAEL TO GOD. Isaiah returns, in ver. 19, to the consideration of his disciples. In the terrible times impending, they will be recommended to have recourse to necromancy; he urges that they should look to God and the Law. He then further suggests that, in the coming affliction which he describes (vers. 21, 22), men will generally turn for relief to the same quarter (ver. 20). Verse 19. - Seek unto them that have familiar spirits. In times of great distress the Israelites seem always to have been tempted to consult those among them who pretended to magic and divination. So Saul in the Philistine war resorted to the witch of Endor (<a href="/1_samuel/28-7.htm">1 Samuel 28:7-20</a>); Manasseh, threatened by Esar-haddon, "used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards" (<a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm">2 Kings 21:6</a>). Israel generally, oppressed by Syria and Assyria, "used divination and enchantments" (<a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a>). There was the same inclination now on the part of many Jews. The vexed question of the actual powers possessed by such persons cannot be discussed within the limits of a footnote. It has, moreover, already been treated in the present Commentary, in connection with <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Leviticus 19:31</a>. Wizards that peep, and that mutter; rather, that chirp and mutter. Tricks of the ventriloquists, probably, who disguised their voices, and represented that they were the voices of ghosts (comp. <a href="/isaiah/29-4.htm">Isaiah 29:4</a>). The natural speech of some tribes has been compared to the "chirping of birds" (Herod., 4:183; Hornemann, 'Travels,' p. 119). Should not a people, etc.? Very abrupt and elliptical Isaiah means to say, "Do not attend to them; but answer, Should not a people," etc.? For the living. This may either mean "instead of the living," or "on behalf of the living seek to the dead?" or, Would not that be plainly preposterous? <a href="/commentaries/isaiah/8-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When וְכִֽי־ (wə·ḵî-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction men tell יֹאמְר֣וּ (yō·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say you אֲלֵיכֶ֗ם (’ă·lê·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to to consult דִּרְשׁ֤וּ (dir·šū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship the spirits of the dead הָאֹבוֹת֙ (hā·’ō·ḇō·wṯ) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_178.htm">Strong's 178: </a> A bottle (made from animal skin), a necromancer and the spiritists הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים (hay·yid·də·‘ō·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3049.htm">Strong's 3049: </a> A knowing one, a conjurer, a ghost who whisper הַֽמְצַפְצְפִ֖ים (ham·ṣap̄·ṣə·p̄îm) Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6850.htm">Strong's 6850: </a> To chirp, peep and mutter, וְהַמַּהְגִּ֑ים (wə·ham·mah·gîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1897.htm">Strong's 1897: </a> To moan, growl, utter, speak, muse shouldn’t הֲלוֹא־ (hă·lō·w-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no a people עַם֙ (‘am) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock consult יִדְרֹ֔שׁ (yiḏ·rōš) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship their God [instead]? אֱלֹהָ֣יו (’ĕ·lō·hāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative Why consult the dead הַמֵּתִֽים׃ (ham·mê·ṯîm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill on behalf of בְּעַ֥ד (bə·‘aḏ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1157.htm">Strong's 1157: </a> In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for the living? הַחַיִּ֖ים (ha·ḥay·yîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 8:19 When they tell you Consult with those (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/8-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 8:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 8:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/8-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 8:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 8:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>