Deuteronomy 18:11
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 18:11
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 18 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, obedience, discipleship. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-22: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 18:11
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Spirit: Leviticus 19:31