Leviticus 19:31

Authorized King James Version

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Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

Original Language Analysis

אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 1 of 13
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּפְנ֤וּ Regard H6437
תִּפְנ֤וּ Regard
Strong's: H6437
Word #: 2 of 13
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 13
near, with or among; often in general, to
הָֽאֹבֹת֙ not them that have familiar spirits H178
הָֽאֹבֹת֙ not them that have familiar spirits
Strong's: H178
Word #: 4 of 13
properly, a mumble, i.e., a water-skin (from its hollow sound); hence a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar)
וְאֶל H413
וְאֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 5 of 13
near, with or among; often in general, to
הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים after wizards H3049
הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים after wizards
Strong's: H3049
Word #: 6 of 13
properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 7 of 13
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּ neither seek H1245
תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּ neither seek
Strong's: H1245
Word #: 8 of 13
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
לְטָמְאָ֣ה to be defiled H2930
לְטָמְאָ֣ה to be defiled
Strong's: H2930
Word #: 9 of 13
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
בָהֶ֑ם H0
בָהֶ֑ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 10 of 13
אֲנִ֖י H589
אֲנִ֖י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 11 of 13
i
יְהוָ֥ה by them I am the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה by them I am the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃ your God H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃ your God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 13 of 13
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

Cross References

Isaiah 8:19And 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?Leviticus 20:27A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.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.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;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.Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.1 Samuel 28:3Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.Isaiah 47:13Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.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.Exodus 22:18Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

Analysis & Commentary

Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

This verse falls within the section on Various Laws of Holiness. Wide-ranging ethical and ceremonial laws, including the command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' (19:18).


The access to God's presence that Leviticus carefully regulated is now freely available through Christ's blood, tearing the veil and opening the way to God.

Historical Context

Wide-ranging ethical and ceremonial laws, including the command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' (19:18). Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Questions for Reflection

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