Deuteronomy 18:11
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Original Language Analysis
וְחֹבֵ֖ר
Or a charmer
H2266
וְחֹבֵ֖ר
Or a charmer
Strong's:
H2266
Word #:
1 of 8
to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate
וְשֹׁאֵ֥ל
or a consulter
H7592
וְשֹׁאֵ֥ל
or a consulter
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
3 of 8
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
אוֹב֙
with familiar spirits
H178
אוֹב֙
with familiar spirits
Strong's:
H178
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, a mumble, i.e., a water-skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar)
וְיִדְּעֹנִ֔י
or a wizard
H3049
וְיִדְּעֹנִ֔י
or a wizard
Strong's:
H3049
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost
Historical Context
Necromancy was practiced throughout the ancient Near East. Egyptian Book of the Dead, Mesopotamian descent myths, and Canaanite texts all describe attempts to contact the dead. King Saul's visit to the medium at Endor (1 Samuel 28:7-25) occurred after God stopped answering through legitimate means (dreams, Urim, prophets). The episode demonstrates both the reality of spiritual forces and God's condemnation of consulting them outside His authorized channels.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God comprehensively forbid all occult practices rather than allowing 'harmless' ones?
- How does God's promise of legitimate prophetic revelation (verses 15-19) address the human desire for spiritual knowledge that drives people to forbidden practices?
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Analysis & Commentary
The forbidden practices continue: a charmer (חֹבֵר חָבֶר, chover chaver—one who binds spells, casts charms, uses incantations); a consulter with familiar spirits (שֹׁאֵל אוֹב, sho'el ov—one who inquires of spirits of the dead, a medium who claims contact with departed souls); a wizard (יִדְּעֹנִי, yidde'oni—a knowing one, spiritist, one who claims secret knowledge from spirit guides); a necromancer (דֹרֵשׁ אֶל־הַמֵּתִים, doresh el-hametim—literally "one who seeks unto the dead").
The final category, necromancy, makes explicit what some earlier terms implied: attempted communication with the dead to gain knowledge or power. Isaiah 8:19 condemns this: "Should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?" The living God provides living prophets; seeking the dead shows covenant unfaithfulness.
These eight/nine categories (some overlap) comprehensively ban occult practices. The common thread: seeking spiritual knowledge, power, or guidance through sources other than God's authorized revelation. This prepares for verses 15-19, where God promises a prophet like Moses—the legitimate source of divine communication, making occult practices both unnecessary and rebellious.