Isaiah 8:19
And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
Original Language Analysis
וְכִֽי
H3588
וְכִֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִדְרֹ֔שׁ
seek
H1875
יִדְרֹ֔שׁ
seek
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
הָאֹבוֹת֙
unto them that have familiar spirits
H178
הָאֹבוֹת֙
unto them that have familiar spirits
Strong's:
H178
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, a mumble, i.e., a water-skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar)
הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים
and unto wizards
H3049
הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים
and unto wizards
Strong's:
H3049
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost
וְהַמַּהְגִּ֑ים
and that mutter
H1897
וְהַמַּהְגִּ֑ים
and that mutter
Strong's:
H1897
Word #:
10 of 19
to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder
הֲלוֹא
H3808
הֲלוֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עַם֙
should not a people
H5971
עַם֙
should not a people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֱלֹהָ֣יו
unto their God
H430
אֱלֹהָ֣יו
unto their God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 19
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִדְרֹ֔שׁ
seek
H1875
יִדְרֹ֔שׁ
seek
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
בְּעַ֥ד
H1157
בְּעַ֥ד
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
16 of 19
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
Cross References
1 Chronicles 10:13So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;Leviticus 20:6And the soul that turneth 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.2 Chronicles 33:6And 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 wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.Psalms 106:28They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.Leviticus 19:31Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.Isaiah 19:3And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst 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.Isaiah 29:4And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.Deuteronomy 18:11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.Jeremiah 10:10But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.2 Kings 21:6And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Historical Context
Spiritism was prevalent in ancient Near Eastern cultures, particularly during crises. King Saul infamously consulted the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28). During the Assyrian crisis, many Israelites likely turned to mediums for guidance. This practice persisted, reaching a climax under Manasseh (2 Kings 21:6). Isaiah denounces this apostasy, calling people back to God's word. Modern equivalents include astrology, psychics, and New Age practices—all attempts to gain knowledge apart from divine revelation.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern forms of spiritism or occultism tempt people to seek guidance apart from God's word?
- Why does crisis often drive people toward forbidden spiritual practices rather than toward God?
- How do we guard against subtle forms of seeking supernatural knowledge outside biblical revelation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse exposes the temptation to seek spiritist guidance rather than God's word. 'Familiar spirits' (mediums) and 'wizards' (spiritists) were common in pagan religions but forbidden in Israel (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Their 'peeping and muttering' describes the eerie whispers and incantations of occult practices. The rhetorical question exposes the absurdity: why consult the dead concerning the living? This illustrates how crisis drives people to forbidden sources rather than God. The Reformed position clearly condemns all occultism as rebellion against God's revealed will.