Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Familiar spirits, in biblical terms, refer to entities or spirits that are believed to assist or communicate with individuals, often through mediums or necromancers. These spirits are considered to be malevolent and deceptive, often masquerading as the spirits of the dead. The term "familiar" suggests a close association or companionship, indicating that these spirits are believed to be in close contact with those who seek their guidance.
Biblical References:The Bible explicitly condemns the practice of consulting familiar spirits. In
Leviticus 19:31, the Israelites are warned, "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." This command underscores the defiling nature of engaging with such spirits, as it leads individuals away from reliance on God.
In
Deuteronomy 18:10-12, the practice is further denounced: "Let no one be found among you who... 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." This passage categorically lists consulting familiar spirits among practices that are abominable to God.
Historical Context:In ancient Israel, the presence of familiar spirits was often associated with pagan practices and idolatry. The surrounding nations frequently engaged in necromancy and divination, seeking guidance from the dead or from spirits believed to possess special knowledge. The Israelites were called to be distinct from these practices, relying solely on God for guidance and wisdom.
Notable Biblical Incidents:One of the most notable incidents involving a familiar spirit is found in
1 Samuel 28, where King Saul, in desperation, seeks out the Witch of Endor to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. Despite having previously expelled mediums and spiritists from the land, Saul's actions demonstrate the grave consequences of turning away from God. The spirit that appears, often debated among scholars, delivers a message of doom to Saul, highlighting the futility and danger of seeking guidance from familiar spirits.
Theological Implications:The Bible's prohibition against familiar spirits is rooted in the call to exclusive worship and reliance on God. Engaging with such spirits is seen as a form of spiritual adultery, diverting trust and allegiance from God to deceptive entities. The presence of familiar spirits is a reminder of the spiritual warfare that believers face, as these spirits seek to lead individuals away from the truth of God's Word.
Contemporary Relevance:In modern times, the fascination with the occult and spiritism persists, often under the guise of entertainment or curiosity. The biblical warnings against familiar spirits remain relevant, urging believers to discern the spiritual influences they encounter and to remain steadfast in their commitment to God. The call to reject familiar spirits is a call to uphold the sanctity and purity of one's relationship with God, relying on His Word and Spirit for guidance and truth.
Topical Bible Verses
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?
Topicalbible.orgLeviticus 19:31
Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
Topicalbible.org
Leviticus 20:27
A man also or woman that has a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be on them.
Topicalbible.org
Leviticus 20:6
And the soul that turns 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.
Topicalbible.org
Exodus 22:18
You shall not suffer a witch to live.
Topicalbible.org
Deuteronomy 18:10
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.
Topicalbible.org
Deuteronomy 18:11
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Topicalbible.org
Isaiah 19:3
And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the middle 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.
Topicalbible.org
2 Chronicles 33:6
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.
Topicalbible.org
Acts 16:16
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:
Topicalbible.org
Library
The UncleanSpirits.
... They practised divination in divers ways, but usually admitted their dependence
onfamiliar spirits,"thespirits of the departed,"demons....
Spiritualism.
... But the "familiar spirits," as these visitants from other worlds were called, are
declared by the Bible to be the "spirits of devils."(988) The work of dealing...
Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
... But the "familiar spirits," as these visitants from other worlds were called, are
declared by the Bible to be "thespirits of devils." (Compare Numbers 25:1-3...
The Unity of God
... If the Lord Jehovah be the only true God, it reproves those who renounce the true
God, I mean such as seek tofamiliar spirits, which is too much practised...
Witnessing in Power.
... There is another passage which reads, "And when they shall say unto you, seek unto
them that havefamiliar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter...
Prophets and the Prophet
... enchanter, or a witch, 11. Or a charmer, or a consulter withfamiliar spirits,
or a wizard, or a necromancer.12. For all that do these...
Reformation Lessons
... King Josiah's destruction of the idols, and the temples of the false gods, and driving
out the wizards and workers withfamiliar spirits, were to them a...
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 untofamiliar spirits, unto wizards that did peep...
Doctrines of Carpocrates.
... 3. They practise also magical arts and incantations; philters, also, and love-potions;
and have recourse tofamiliar spirits, dream-sending demons, and other...
And Still Continuing a Little Confused, and not Taking Care to See...
... observing that this was contrary to their law, which said to them who practised
such observances: "Regard not them which havefamiliar spirits, [4093] neither...
Resources
What are spirit guides? Should Christians consult spirit guides? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is cultural translation? Is cultural translation needed to properly understand the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a medium? | GotQuestions.orgFamiliar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
