Attempts to discover the unknown or the future by supernatural means, involving communication with the spirit world. It is expressly forbidden by God and has disastrous consequences.
Divination was part of early beliefs and practices
Genesis 41:24; Exodus 7:11; Isaiah 31:1–2, Isaiah 47:9; Jeremiah 27:9; Ezekiel 21:21; Daniel 2:2, Daniel 5:7
Examples of divination in NT times
Acts 8:9–13, Acts 8:18–24, Acts 13:6–12, Acts 16:16–18
The reality of a supernatural spirit world
The spirit world is real and alluring
Acts 8:11 See also Genesis 44:5, Genesis 44:15; 1 Samuel 6:2; Acts 8:9–10
They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.
The spirit world is powerful and dangerous
2 Kings 9:22 See also Numbers 22:6–7, Numbers 22:12; 2 Kings 17:17; Zechariah 10:2; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:9–10; Revelation 18:23
When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” he replied, “as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?”
Deliberate involvement with divination forbidden
Leviticus 19:31 See also Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 18:10–14; 2 Kings 21:6; Isaiah 8:19–20; Ezekiel 13:23; Micah 5:12; Malachi 3:5; Galatians 5:20
You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
It is God's divine privilege to reveal or conceal things
Deuteronomy 29:29 See also Proverbs 25:2
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.[’’]
Examples of the evil of divination
1 Samuel 28:7 See also 1 Samuel 28:3–15
Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” “There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied.
Casting lots to make decisions
Divination is clearly forbidden but some practices such as casting lots seem acceptable ways of discovering God's will in particular circumstances: 1 Chronicles 26:13–16; Nehemiah 11:1; Acts 1:26
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.