Topical Encyclopedia
Divination, in the biblical context, refers to the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means. The Bible consistently portrays divination as contrary to the will of God, associating it with pagan practices and false prophets. It is often mentioned alongside other forbidden practices such as witchcraft, sorcery, and necromancy.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Old Testament contains numerous prohibitions against divination. In
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Israelites are explicitly warned: "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 divination is often linked with idolatry and rebellion against God. In
1 Samuel 15:23 , Samuel rebukes King Saul, saying, "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king."
The prophet Ezekiel also condemns divination, highlighting its deceptive nature. In
Ezekiel 13:6-7 , he speaks against false prophets: "They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. Have you not seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken?"
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, divination is similarly condemned.
Acts 16:16-18 recounts the account of a slave girl in Philippi who had a spirit of divination: "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. She 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."
The practice of divination is also included in the list of sinful behaviors in
Galatians 5:19-21 , where Paul warns, "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, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, divination is seen as an attempt to gain knowledge or power apart from God, undermining trust in His sovereignty and providence. It is considered a form of spiritual adultery, as it seeks guidance and revelation from sources other than the one true God. The Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom and guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit, rather than through forbidden practices like divination.
Historical ContextIn the ancient Near East, divination was a common practice among pagan cultures. Methods included interpreting omens, consulting oracles, and using objects like arrows, livers, or stars to predict the future. The Israelites were surrounded by nations that engaged in these practices, which is why the biblical prohibitions are so emphatic. The biblical narrative consistently calls God's people to be distinct and set apart, relying solely on Him for guidance and revelation.
Strong's Hebrew
7080. qasam -- to practice divination... Usage conjure (1), divination (2), divine (2), diviner (2), diviners (7), divining
(1), practice (1), practiced (1), use (1), uses (1), utter...
divinations (1
...Library
Of Superstition inDivinations (Eight Articles)
... OF SUPERSTITION INDIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES). We must now consider superstition
indivinations, under which head there are eight points of inquiry:...
He Refutes theDivinations of the Astrologers, Deduced from the...
... Book VII. Chapter VI."He Refutes theDivinations of the Astrologers, Deduced
from the Constellations. 8. Now also had I repudiated...
But this Time Also had I Rejected the LyingDivinations and...
... Book VII Chapter VI But this time also had I rejected the lyingdivinations
and impious dotages of the? But this time also had...
Whether we Ought to Distinguish Several Species of Divination?
... OF SUPERSTITION INDIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether we ought to distinguish
several species of divination?... Therefore alldivinations are of one species....
Whether Divination by the Stars is Unlawful?
... OF SUPERSTITION INDIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether divination by the stars
is unlawful? Objection 1: It would seem that divination...
Whether Divination by Auguries, Omens, and by Like Observations of...
... OF SUPERSTITION INDIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether divination by auguries,
omens, and by like observations of external things is unlawful?...
Whether Divination is a Sin?
... OF SUPERSTITION INDIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether divination is a sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination is not a sin....
Whether There are Various Species of Superstition?
... directed to God, as stated above ([3094]Q[81], A[1]). Therefore superstition, which
is opposed to religion, is not specified according todivinations of human...
Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
... Devils, abhor the unguent of the Spirit, [3282]415;divinations of, condemned and
defied, [3283]508. Disputes, contagious, [3284]467, [3285]493....
Of the Prophecies of the Old Testament in their visible...
... vain and unlawful observances of curious superstitions, whether they be addicted
to (the inanities of) public spectacles, or charms, ordivinations of devils...
Thesaurus
Divinations (10 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Divinations (10 Occurrences). Numbers 22:7 And the
elders of Moab and the elders of Midian go, and
divinations...Divine (39 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divinedivinations: for
I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD...
User (2 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 18:10 there is not found in thee one causing his son and his daughter
to pass over into fire, a user ofdivinations, an observer of clouds, and an...
With (66342 Occurrences)
... and wizards, while, as we shall see, the words indicate that such practitioners
professed to rely upon spirits in theirdivinations, the Scriptures carefully...
Interprets (2 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 18:10 there is not found in thee one causing his son and his daughter
to pass over into fire, a user ofdivinations, an observer of clouds, and an...
Devils (48 Occurrences)
... and wizards, while, as we shall see, the words indicate that such practitioners
professed to rely upon spirits in theirdivinations, the Scriptures carefully...
Demons (54 Occurrences)
... and wizards, while, as we shall see, the words indicate that such practitioners
professed to rely upon spirits in theirdivinations, the Scriptures carefully...
Communion (8 Occurrences)
... and wizards, while, as we shall see, the words indicate that such practitioners
professed to rely upon spirits in theirdivinations, the Scriptures carefully...
Clouds (99 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 18:10 there is not found in thee one causing his son and his daughter
to pass over into fire, a user ofdivinations, an observer of clouds, and an...
Causing (248 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 18:10 there is not found in thee one causing his son and his daughter
to pass over into fire, a user ofdivinations, an observer of clouds, and an...
Resources
Why is the lack of visions and divinations considered a punishment (Micah 3:6)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about premonitions? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about false prophets? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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