“Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.”
Deuteronomy 18:11 is part of a larger passage in the book of Deuteronomy where Moses is addressing the Israelites and giving them instructions regarding their relationship with God and the proper way to worship Him. In this particular verse, Moses is warning the Israelites about engaging in various forms of occult practices that were prevalent among the neighboring pagan nations.
Let’s break down the different terms mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:11:
“Charmer”: Refers to someone who practices divination or fortune-telling through various means, such as casting lots, reading omens, or using other forms of magic.
“Consulter with familiar spirits”: Refers to someone who seeks guidance or communicates with spirits or familiar spirits. Familiar spirits were believed to be supernatural entities that could provide knowledge or power to those who consulted them. However, engaging with familiar spirits was strictly forbidden in the Israelite community.
“Wizard”: Refers to someone who practices sorcery or magic, often claiming to possess supernatural powers or the ability to manipulate spiritual forces for personal gain.
“Necromancer”: Refers to someone who seeks to communicate with the dead or consults the spirits of the deceased. This practice was explicitly forbidden in the Law of Moses.
The inclusion of these specific prohibitions in Deuteronomy 18:11 is part of God’s commandments to the Israelites to distinguish themselves from the pagan practices of the surrounding nations. God wanted His people to rely on Him alone for guidance and to refrain from seeking supernatural knowledge or power through occult means.
These prohibitions are also consistent with the broader biblical teaching against witchcraft, divination, and any form of sorcery. In multiple passages throughout the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, such practices are condemned as contrary to God’s will and are considered detestable.
Overall, Deuteronomy 18:11 serves as a reminder to the Israelites, and to believers today, to avoid engaging in any form of occult practices and to place their trust solely in God for guidance and protection.
