Necromancy in the Bible: Exploring the Biblical References

Throughout the Bible, necromancy and the practice of speaking to the dead are frequently condemned. While the term 'necromancer' may not be explicitly used, several references within the scriptures speak to the prohibition against such practices. This article explores various instances where necromancy is discussed in the Bible and the broader context in which it is condemned.

Prohibition and Condemnation of Necromancy

The Bible, particularly in the books of Isaiah, Leviticus, and Kings, describes the practice of necromancy and the individuals or groups involved with it. For instance, in Isaiah 8:19, the discourse focuses on the condemnation of people who apply to spiritistic mediums or those having a spirit of prediction, effectively condemning necromancy:

And in case they should say to you, lsquo;Apply to the spiritistic mediums or to those having a spirit of prediction who are chirping and making utterances in low tonesrsquo;: is it not to its lsquo;Godrsquo; that any people should apply? Should there be application to dead persons in behalf of living persons? (Isaiah 8:19, NIV)

Another notable instance is found in 1 Samuel 28:7, where King Saul consults a spirit medium in En-dor to contact the spirit of the deceased Samuel. This passage is significant because it directly implies the practice of necromancy and its prohibition:

But the king insisted, lsquo;Summon for me a medium, that I may go and inquire of ; So the woman said to him, lsquo;Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the fortune tellers from the land. Why are you setting a trap to bring sin on Israel and to bring guilt on the king himself?rsquo; (1 Samuel 28:7, NIV)

Lexical Definitions and Context

The Hebrew and Aramaic languages provide several terms that can be translated as necromancy or related practices. For instance, the term ash·shaph in Hebrew and a·shaph in Aramaic can be translated as 'conjurer,' 'necromancer,' or 'enchanter.' Ash·shaph is defined as 'to conjure' or 'to be a necromancer,' according to lexicons such as 'A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament' by Brown, Driver, and Briggs (1980) and 'Lexicon in Veteris Testamenti Libros' by Koehler and Baumgartner (1958).

ash·shaph - conjurer, necromancer, enchanter. - Used to conjure is to swear together by oath or invocation as when one solemnly calls up or calls upon so-called spirits of the dead. A necromancer literally means a diviner of the dead one who attempts to foretell and control future events through communication with the dead. Any manner of purported communication with the dead was condemned by God. (Brown, Driver, and Briggs, 1980; Koehler and Baumgartner, 1958)

Necromancy in Other Cultures and the Bible

The practice of necromancy was not confined to Israel but extended to other cultures, with the Babylonians and Persians being known for their beliefs and practices in conjuring and necromancy. Daniel and his companions, when they were in Babylon, were not only skilled in mathematics but also demonstrated their superior wisdom and understanding over the Babylonian magicians and conjurers. This is further emphasized in Daniel 1:3-20:

Now a decree had gone out from the king [Nebuchadnezzar] that all the men who belonged to Judah should be brought into the king's personal service, and among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The king ordered that these boys be given the officials in Babylon three years' training in the literature and learning of the magicians, conjurers, and the kings' counselors. After this training, Daniel asked the chief of the officials for permission to have these boys learn from the scripture instead of from the literature of the magicians. At the end of the three years, when the boys had been taken into the king's service, the king had the wise men of Babylon questioned. When he recognized Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to be ten times better [in wisdom and understanding] than all the magic-practicing priests and the conjurers, he made them his personal servants. (Daniel 1:3-20, NLT)

Conclusion

The practice of necromancy, while not explicitly named in every instance in the Bible, is subject to harsh condemnation. The Bible encourages believers to follow God's commandments and avoid participating in practices that are false or harmful. The instances of King Saul consulting a spirit medium and the broader condemnation found in Isaiah and Leviticus illustrate the Biblical stance against necromancy. Understanding these references helps to gain a clearer picture of the cultural and religious practices of ancient civilizations as well as the ethical standards set forth by the Bible.