Topical Encyclopedia
Soothsaying, often referred to as divination, is the practice of seeking to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge through supernatural means. In the biblical context, soothsaying is consistently portrayed as contrary to the will of God and is associated with pagan practices and false prophets.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Old Testament contains numerous references to soothsaying, often condemning it as an abomination. In
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Israelites are explicitly warned against engaging in such practices: "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 abominations the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you."
The practice of soothsaying is often linked with idolatry and the worship of false gods. In
2 Kings 17:17 , the Israelites are rebuked for their disobedience: "They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire, practiced divination and sorcery, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger."
Prophets and SoothsayersThe prophets of the Old Testament frequently confronted false prophets and soothsayers who led the people astray. In
Jeremiah 14:14 , the LORD declares, "The prophets are prophesying lies in My name. I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, worthless divination, the deceit of their own minds."
Ezekiel also speaks against those who practice divination, highlighting the falsehood of their messages.
Ezekiel 13:6-7 states, "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 PerspectiveIn the New Testament, the practice of soothsaying continues to be condemned.
Acts 16:16-18 recounts the account of a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination, who earned a great deal of money for her masters by fortune-telling. The Apostle Paul, troubled by her persistent proclamations, commands the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ, and she is immediately freed from the spirit.
The New Testament also warns against false prophets and teachers who may use deceptive practices to lead believers astray. In
Matthew 24:24 , Jesus warns, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible."
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological standpoint, soothsaying is seen as a direct challenge to the sovereignty and omniscience of God. It represents a reliance on powers other than God for guidance and knowledge, which is contrary to the biblical call to trust in the Lord alone.
Isaiah 8:19 advises, "When men tell you to consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, should not a people consult their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?"
The consistent biblical message is that God alone holds the future and possesses true knowledge. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom and guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit, rather than through practices that are condemned by God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A true saying; truth.
2. (n.) The act of one who soothsays; the foretelling of events; the art or practice of making predictions.
3. (n.) A prediction; a prophecy; a prognostication.
Greek
3132. manteuomai -- to divine... to divine. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: manteuomai Phonetic Spelling:
(mant-yoo'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I practice
soothsaying Definition: I divine
...4436. puthon -- Python, a mythical serpent slain by Apollo...
... where Delphi, the seat of the famous oracle, was located); a Python, ie (by analogy,
with the supposed diviner there) inspiration (soothsaying) -- divination....
Strong's Hebrew
6049a. anan -- to practicesoothsaying... 6049, 6049a. anan. 6049b . to practice
soothsaying. Transliteration:
anan Short Definition: witchcraft. Word Origin a prim. root
...6049. anan -- to practicesoothsaying
... 6048, 6049. anan. 6049a . to practicesoothsaying. Transliteration: anan
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nan') Short Definition: bring. bring...
Library
Apollo theSoothsaying and False.
... XI."Apollo theSoothsaying and False. Ye make Apollo a player on the cithara,
and divine. Born at first of Maia, in the isle of...
That Astrology,Soothsaying, and Similar Arts are the Invention of...
... the divine institutes. Book II. Of the Origin of Error. Chap. XVII."That Astrology,
Soothsaying, and Similar Arts are the Invention of Demons....
1 Cor. xii. 1, 2
... disturbance among them. This is the reason why he begins by first stating
the difference betweensoothsaying and prophecy. For this...
Secret Study of the Holy Scriptures.
... in that direction), that predictive prophecy is hardly to be recognized anywhere;
that it is better out of our thoughts; that it is but "soothsaying" after all...
The Greek Theogony Exposed.
... These, then, are the exploits of the sons of Saturn. And your illustrious son of
Latona [Apollo], who professedsoothsaying, convicted himself of lying....
The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables...
... Goats, too, have been confederates in this art ofsoothsaying, trained to divination;
and crows taught by men to give oracular responses to men....
Directions to Sinners.
... at Philippi, who was possessed with a spirit of divination, or in other words, the
spirit of the devil, and brought her masters much gain by hersoothsaying....
Commandment Eleventh. The Spirit and Prophets to be Tried by their...
... no connection with such spirits, but keep away from them; but as many as are of
doubtful minds and frequently repent, betake themselves tosoothsaying, even as...
The Introduction of the Gospel into Europe, and the Ministry of...
... says Luke, "as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of
divination met us, which brought her masters much gain bysoothsaying: the same...
In the Regions Beyond
... And this did she many days.". This woman was a special agent of Satan and
had brought to her masters much gain bysoothsaying. Her...
Thesaurus
Soothsaying (4 Occurrences)... making predictions. 3. (n.) A prediction; a prophecy; a prognostication.
Multi-Version Concordance
Soothsaying (4 Occurrences). Acts 16
...Astrology
... as-trol'-o-ji: I. THE DESIRE TO FORECAST THE FUTURE 1. Methods ofSoothsaying 2.
Divination 3. Looking in the Liver 4. The Astrologers, or Dividers of the...
Provoking (29 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 21:6 And he made his son to pass through the fire, and practisedsoothsaying,
and used enchantments, and appointed them that divined by a ghost or a...
Employment (5 Occurrences)
... came to pass in our going on to prayer, a certain maid, having a spirit of Python,
did meet us, who brought much employment to her masters bysoothsaying, (YLT...
Damsel (43 Occurrences)
... 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 bysoothsaying: (KJV WBS...
Sooth-saying (1 Occurrence)
Sooth-saying.Soothsaying, Sooth-saying. Sop . Multi-Version Concordance
Sooth-saying (1 Occurrence)....Soothsaying, Sooth-saying. Sop . Reference Bible.
Soothsayer (4 Occurrences)
... Hebrews (see SORCERER.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) One who foretells events
by the art ofsoothsaying; a prognosticator. 2. (n.) A mantis....
Spiritists (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 21:6 And he made his son to pass through the fire, and practisedsoothsaying,
and used enchantments, and appointed them that divined by a ghost or a...
Sooth-sayers (5 Occurrences)
Sooth-sayers. Soothsayers, Sooth-sayers.Soothsaying . Multi-Version Concordance...
Soothsayers, Sooth-sayers.Soothsaying . Reference Bible.
Maid (57 Occurrences)
... to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit
of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain bysoothsaying....
Resources
What does the Bible say about divination? | GotQuestions.orgSoothsaying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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