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class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who consults the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />or one who is an enchanter or a medium or a spiritist or one who inquires of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />or one who casts a charm <i>or</i> spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or a necromancer [who seeks the dead].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />cast spells, consult a medium or a spiritist, or inquire of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />cast spells, consult a medium or a familiar spirit, or inquire of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />cast spells, ask ghosts or spirits for help, or consult the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />or charms, and don't let them consult the spirits of the dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />casts spells, or who is a medium, an occultist, or a necromancer. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />one who casts spells, one who conjures up spirits, a practitioner of the occult, or a necromancer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />or who casts spells, or consults a medium or a familiar spirit, or inquires of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />or a charmer, or someone who consults with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and a charmer, and one inquiring from a familiar spirit, and a wizard, and one seeking to the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and a charmer, and one asking at a familiar spirit, and a wizard, and one seeking unto the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And charming a spell, and asking of a necromancer, and a wizard, and seeking to the dead.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Nor charmer, nor any one that consulteth pythonic spirits, or fortune tellers, or that seeketh the truth from the dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />nor one who uses spells, nor one who consults demonic spirits, nor a diviner, nor one who seeks the truth from the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />or who casts spells, consults ghosts and spirits, or seeks oracles from the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />or one who casts spells, or who consults ghosts or spirits, or who seeks oracles from the dead.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Or a charmer or a consulter with familiar spirits or a sorcerer or a necromancer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Or one who charms with charms, or one who inquires of demons or of wizards, or an inquirer of the dead.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />or a charmer, or one that consulteth a ghost or a familiar spirit, or a necromancer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />a sorcerer employing incantation, one who has in him a divining spirit, and observer of signs, questioning the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=5144" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Sorcery Forbidden</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2266.htm" title="2266: wə·ḥō·ḇêr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell, to charm. A primitive root; to join; specifically to fascinate.">casts spells,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2267.htm" title="2267: ḥā·ḇer (N-ms) -- Company, association, spell. From chabar; a society; also a spell."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: wə·šō·’êl (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">consults</a> <a href="/hebrew/178.htm" title="178: ’ō·wḇ (N-ms) -- From the same as 'ab; properly, a mumble, i.e. A water skin; hence a necromancer.">a medium</a> <a href="/hebrew/3049.htm" title="3049: wə·yid·də·‘ō·nî (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Familiar spirit. From yada'; properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; a ghost.">or spiritist,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: wə·ḏō·rêš (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">or inquires</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">of</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.">the dead.</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Leviticus 19:31</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/28-7.htm">1 Samuel 28:7-8</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm">2 Kings 21:6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-6.htm">2 Chronicles 33:6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16-18</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/22-15.htm">Revelation 22:15</a></span><br />But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/5-12.htm">Micah 5:12</a></span><br />I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/3-4.htm">Nahum 3:4</a></span><br />because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the seductive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a></span><br />They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/10-13.htm">1 Chronicles 10:13-14</a></span><br />So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, / and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/19-18.htm">Acts 19:18-19</a></span><br />Many who had believed now came forward, confessing and disclosing their deeds. / And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.</p><p class="hdg">or a necromancer</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/28-11.htm">1 Samuel 28:11-14</a></b></br> Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/46-33.htm">Calls</a> <a href="/revelation/6-13.htm">Casts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Charmer</a> <a href="/luke/14-31.htm">Consulteth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-21.htm">Consults</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/numbers/29-40.htm">Directions</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-21.htm">Inquireth</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Medium</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-7.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-14.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/numbers/35-23.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/revelation/18-23.htm">Spell</a> <a href="/micah/5-12.htm">Spells</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-30.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Spiritist</a> <a href="/numbers/27-16.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Using</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Wizard</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/3-9.htm">Calls</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-15.htm">Casts</a> <a href="/psalms/58-5.htm">Charmer</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-8.htm">Consulteth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-10.htm">Consults</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-1.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/joshua/9-14.htm">Directions</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-23.htm">Inquireth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-7.htm">Medium</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-13.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/judges/8-14.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-14.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/judges/4-22.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/revelation/18-23.htm">Spell</a> <a href="/psalms/58-5.htm">Spells</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/34-9.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Spiritist</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-17.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-14.htm">Using</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Wizard</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-1.htm">The LORD is the priests and Levites' inheritance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-3.htm">The priests' due</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-6.htm">The Levites' portion</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-9.htm">The abominations of the nations are to be avoided</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Christ the Prophet is to be heard</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm">The presumptuous prophet is to die</a></span><br></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 = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>casts spells</b><br>In the ancient Near Eastern context, casting spells was a common practice among pagan cultures. It involved invoking supernatural powers to influence events or people. The Israelites were warned against such practices as they were contrary to the worship of Yahweh, who is sovereign over all creation. The prohibition against casting spells underscores the importance of relying on God rather than manipulating spiritual forces. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of trusting in God's power and wisdom, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19-20</a>, which warns against seeking guidance from mediums and spiritists instead of God.<p><b>consults a medium or spiritist</b><br>Mediums and spiritists were individuals believed to have the ability to communicate with the spiritual realm, often acting as intermediaries between the living and the dead. In the cultural context of the time, these practices were prevalent among surrounding nations, such as the Canaanites. The Bible consistently condemns such practices, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm">Leviticus 19:31</a> and <a href="/1_samuel/28.htm">1 Samuel 28</a>, where King Saul's consultation with the medium of Endor leads to his downfall. This prohibition highlights the importance of seeking guidance from God alone, emphasizing His role as the ultimate source of wisdom and revelation.<p><b>or inquires of the dead</b><br>Inquiring of the dead, or necromancy, was a practice aimed at gaining knowledge or insight from deceased individuals. This was a common practice in ancient pagan religions, where the dead were often believed to possess special knowledge or power. The biblical prohibition against inquiring of the dead serves to distinguish the Israelites from their pagan neighbors and to affirm the belief in God's sovereignty over life and death. This is further reinforced in <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19</a>, which contrasts seeking the dead with seeking God. The New Testament continues this theme, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/9-27.htm">Hebrews 9:27</a>, which states that humans die once and then face judgment, emphasizing the finality of death and the futility of seeking the dead for guidance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Deuteronomy, who is delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who are being instructed on how to live in a way that honors God and sets them apart from other nations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land that the Israelites are about to enter, which is inhabited by nations practicing abominable acts, including those mentioned in this verse.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/mediums_and_spiritists.htm">Mediums and Spiritists</a></b><br>Individuals who claim to communicate with the dead or spirits, practices that were common among the pagan nations surrounding Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promised_land.htm">The Promised Land</a></b><br>The land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, where the Israelites are to establish a society based on God's laws.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_call_to_holiness.htm">God's Call to Holiness</a></b><br>God calls His people to be holy and set apart, avoiding practices that are detestable to Him. Engaging in activities like consulting mediums or spiritists compromises our relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_guidance.htm">Trust in God's Guidance</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to seek guidance and wisdom from God alone, rather than turning to forbidden practices that promise insight or power.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_syncretism.htm">The Danger of Syncretism</a></b><br>Mixing pagan practices with the worship of God leads to spiritual compromise. Christians must be vigilant in maintaining the purity of their faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sufficiency_of_scripture.htm">The Sufficiency of Scripture</a></b><br>The Bible provides all the guidance and wisdom needed for life and godliness. Believers should rely on Scripture rather than seeking forbidden knowledge.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is given to believers as a guide and counselor, replacing the need for any other spiritual intermediaries.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_sand#233;ance.htm">What defines a s├⌐ance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_spirit_guides.htm">What are spirit guides?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_out-of-body_experiences.htm">What does the Bible say about out-of-body experiences?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_saul_consult_a_medium_in_1_sam_28.htm">If necromancy is condemned (Deut. 18:9-12), how can 1 Samuel 28:7-25 portray Saul successfully consulting a medium?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">Charmer.</span>--Literally <span class= "ital">one who ties knots, </span>used here for the first time in Old Testament.<p><span class= "bld">Consulter with familiar spirits.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">one who consulteth ob </span>(see <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm" title="Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.">Leviticus 19:31</a>).<p><span class= "bld">A Wizard.</span>--One who <span class= "ital">knows </span>or pretends to k<span class= "ital">now </span>the secrets of the unseen world. (See <a href="/leviticus/19-31.htm" title="Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.">Leviticus 19:31</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Necromancer.</span>--One who inquires of the dead. Four of the above practices are ascribed to king Manasseh in <a href="/2_chronicles/33-6.htm" title="And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he worked much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.">2Chronicles 33:6</a>. It is hardly possible that all of them were mere imposture and deceit.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">casts spells,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחֹבֵ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥō·ḇêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2266.htm">Strong's 2266: </a> </span><span class="str2">To unite, be joined, to tie a magic knot or spell, to charm</span><br /><br /><span class="word">consults</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֹׁאֵ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šō·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inquire, to request, to demand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a medium</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹב֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_178.htm">Strong's 178: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bottle (made from animal skin), a necromancer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or familiar spirit,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיִדְּעֹנִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yid·də·‘ō·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3049.htm">Strong's 3049: </a> </span><span class="str2">A knowing one, a conjurer, a ghost</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or inquires</span><br /><span class="heb">וְדֹרֵ֖שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḏō·rêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the dead.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֵּתִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mê·ṯîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Deuteronomy 18:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Deuteronomy 18:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Deuteronomy 18:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Deuteronomy 18:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Deuteronomy 18:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Deuteronomy 18:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Deuteronomy 18:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Deuteronomy 18:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Deuteronomy 18:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Deuteronomy 18:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 18:11 Or a charmer or a consulter (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 18:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 18:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 18:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 18:12" /></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>