Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, a "medium" refers to an individual who acts as an intermediary between the living and the dead, often associated with practices of necromancy or divination. The role of a medium is explicitly condemned in the Scriptures, as it involves seeking knowledge or guidance from spirits rather than from God. The practice is considered an abomination and is strictly prohibited under Mosaic Law.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Old Testament provides several references to mediums, often in the context of prohibitions against their practices. In
Leviticus 19:31, the Israelites are commanded, "Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." This command underscores the belief that engaging with mediums defiles a person, separating them from the holiness required by God.
Further,
Leviticus 20:6 warns, "As for the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people." This severe consequence highlights the seriousness with which God views the practice of consulting mediums.
The narrative of King Saul consulting the medium at Endor is one of the most notable accounts involving a medium in the Bible. In
1 Samuel 28:7-20, Saul, desperate for guidance before a battle with the Philistines, seeks out a medium to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. Despite having previously expelled mediums and spiritists from the land, Saul's actions demonstrate his departure from reliance on God. The encounter results in a prophecy of doom for Saul, further illustrating the futility and danger of seeking counsel from the dead.
New Testament ContextWhile the New Testament does not explicitly mention mediums, it continues to affirm the prohibition against practices associated with them.
Acts 16:16-18 recounts the account of a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination, who earned her masters a great deal of money by fortune-telling. The Apostle Paul, recognizing the spirit, commands it to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ, and she is freed from its influence. This account reinforces the view that such practices are incompatible with the Christian faith and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Theological ImplicationsThe biblical stance against mediums is rooted in the broader prohibition against idolatry and the worship of false gods. Consulting a medium is seen as a form of spiritual adultery, as it involves seeking guidance and knowledge from sources other than God.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 states, "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."
The consistent biblical message is that God alone is the source of wisdom and guidance. Believers are encouraged to seek Him through prayer, Scripture, and the counsel of the Holy Spirit. The reliance on mediums is seen as a rejection of God's sovereignty and a dangerous opening to spiritual deception.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the ancient Near Eastern context, the use of mediums and necromancers was a common practice among pagan cultures. These practices were often linked to attempts to predict the future or gain insight into the will of the gods. The Israelites, however, were called to be distinct from surrounding nations, adhering to the worship of Yahweh alone and rejecting all forms of divination and spiritism.
The biblical injunctions against mediums served to protect the spiritual purity of the Israelite community and to affirm their exclusive covenant relationship with God. By forbidding these practices, the Scriptures emphasize the importance of faithfulness to God's revealed word and the dangers of seeking knowledge apart from Him.
Topical Bible Verses
Leviticus 19:31Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
Topicalbible.orgActs 8:9-13
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
Topicalbible.org
Isaiah 8:19
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?
Topicalbible.org
2 Kings 21:6
And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he worked much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) That which lies in the middle, or between other things; intervening body or quantity. Hence, specifically: (a) Middle place or degree; mean.
2. (n.) See Mean.
3. (n.) The mean or middle term of a syllogism; that by which the extremes are brought into connection.
4. (n.) A substance through which an effect is transmitted from one thing to another; as, air is the common medium of sound. Hence: The condition upon which any event or action occurs; necessary means of motion or action; that through or by which anything is accomplished, conveyed, or carried on; specifically, in animal magnetism, spiritualism, etc., a person through whom the action of another being is said to be manifested and transmitted.
5. (n.) An average.
6. (n.) A trade name for printing and writing paper of certain sizes. See Paper.
7. (n.) The liquid vehicle with which dry colors are ground and prepared for application.
8. (a.) Having a middle position or degree; mean; intermediate; medial; as, a horse of medium size; a decoction of medium strength.
Strong's Hebrew
1172. baalah -- a mistress... 1171, 1172. baalah. 1173 . a mistress. Transliteration: baalah Phonetic Spelling:
(bah-al-aw') Short Definition:
medium. Word Origin fem.
...178. ob -- a bottle (made from animal skin), a necromancer
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a bottle (made from animal skin), a
necromancer NASB Word Usagemedium (2),medium* (3), mediums (9), spirit (1...
7592. shaal -- to ask, inquire
... desires (1), earnestly asked (1), earnestly asked leave (1), greet* (5), greeted*
(1), inquire (6), inquired (18), inquires (1), making (2),medium* (1), pray...
Library
Of theMedium of the Angelic Knowledge (Three Articles)
... OF THEMEDIUM OF THE ANGELIC KNOWLEDGE (THREE ARTICLES). Next in order, the
question arises as to themedium of the angelic knowledge....
Whether the Son of God Assumed Flesh through theMedium of the...
... OF THE ORDER OF ASSUMPTION (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the Son of God assumed
flesh through themedium of the soul? Objection 1: It would...
Whether the Son of God Assumed a Soul through theMedium of the...
... OF THE ORDER OF ASSUMPTION (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the Son of God assumed
a soul through themedium of the spirit or mind? Objection...
Whether the Whole Human Nature was Assumed through theMedium of...
... OF THE ORDER OF ASSUMPTION (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the whole human nature
was assumed through themedium of the parts? Objection...
Whether the Human Nature was Assumed through theMedium of Grace?
... OF THE ORDER OF ASSUMPTION (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the human nature was
assumed through themedium of grace? Objection 1: It would...
Whether Corporeal Creatures were Produced by God through the...
... OF THE SIX DAYS (QQ -74)THE WORK OF CREATION OF CORPOREAL CREATURES (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether corporeal creatures were produced by God through themedium of the...
Whether the Intellectual Soul is United to the Body through the...
... OF THE UNION OF BODY AND SOUL (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the intellectual soul is
united to the body through themedium of accidental dispositions?...
Whether Faith Remains after this Life?
... we must observe that knowledge can be imperfect in three ways: first, on the part
of the knowable object; secondly, on the part of themedium; thirdly, on the...
Whether the Angels Know all Things by their Substance?
... OF THEMEDIUM OF THE ANGELIC KNOWLEDGE (THREE ARTICLES) Whether the angels
know all things by their substance? Objection 1: It would...
Whether Habit is a Quality?
... Now among things which are had, there seems to be this distinction, that there are
some in which there is nomedium between the "haver" and that which is had...
Thesaurus
Medium (4 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) A substance through which an effect is transmitted from one thing to another;
as, air is the common
medium of sound.
...Medium (4 Occurrences).
...Astrology
... The word ('obh) means "bottle" and either indicates that themedium was the receptacle
of the spirit or is a relic of the old tradition that genii (jinns...
Organ (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An instrument ormedium by which some important action is performed, or
an important end accomplished; as, legislatures, courts, armies, tax gatherers...
Ether (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Amedium of great elasticity and extreme tenuity, supposed to pervade all
space, the interior of solid bodies not excepted, and to be themedium of...
Mediums (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural ofMedium. Multi-Version Concordance
Mediums (10 Occurrences). Leviticus 19:31 "'Don't turn...
Media (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) pl. ofMedium.... Also called middle mute, or
medial, and sometimes soft mute. 3. (n.) Plural ofMedium. Int....
Money (284 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A piece of metal, as gold, silver, copper, etc., coined, or stamped, and
issued by the sovereign authority as amedium of exchange in financial...
Mediterranean
Mediator (7 Occurrences)
... This word is used in the New Testament to denote simply an internuncius, an ambassador,
one who Acts as amedium of communication between two contracting...
Divination (25 Occurrences)
... is fairly represented by Deuteronomy 18:10, where the prophet of Yahweh is contrasted
with diviners of all kinds as the only authorizedmedium of supernatural...
Resources
What is a medium? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about witchcraft / witches? Should a Christian fear witchcraft? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about praying to / speaking to / talking to the dead? | GotQuestions.orgMedium: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
