Leviticus 19:31
New International Version
“’Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

New Living Translation
“Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the LORD your God.

English Standard Version
“Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

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

New King James Version
‘Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

New American Standard Bible
‘Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

NASB 1995
‘Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

NASB 1977
‘Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

Legacy Standard Bible
‘Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am Yahweh your God.

Amplified Bible
‘Do not turn to mediums [who pretend to consult the dead] or to spiritists [who have spirits of divination]; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

Christian Standard Bible
“Do not turn to mediums or consult spiritists, or you will be defiled by them; I am the LORD your God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do not turn to mediums or consult spiritists, or you will be defiled by them; I am Yahweh your God.”

American Standard Version
Turn ye not unto them that have familiar spirits, nor unto the wizards; seek them not out, to be defiled by them: I am Jehovah your God.

Contemporary English Version
Don't make yourselves disgusting to me by going to people who claim they can talk to the dead.

English Revised Version
Turn ye not unto them that have familiar spirits, nor unto the wizards; seek them not out, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Don't turn to psychics or mediums to get help. That will make you unclean. I am the LORD your God.

Good News Translation
"Do not go for advice to people who consult the spirits of the dead. If you do, you will be ritually unclean. I am the LORD your God.

International Standard Version
"You are to consult neither mediums nor familiar spirits. You are never to seek them—you'll just be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Do not turn to the spirits of the dead and do not seek familiar spirits to become unclean by them. I am the LORD your God.

New Heart English Bible
"'Do not turn to spirits of the dead, and do not inquire of familiar spirits, to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

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

World English Bible
“‘Don’t turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don’t seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Yahweh your God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You do not turn to those having familiar spirits, and you do not seek for wizards, to become unclean by them; I [am] your God YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
Ye do not turn unto those having familiar spirits; and unto wizards ye do not seek, for uncleanness by them; I am Jehovah your God.

Smith's Literal Translation
Ye shall not turn to necromancers, and to wizards ye shall not seek, to be defiled by them: I Jehovah your God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
31Go not aside after wizards, neither ask any thing of soothsayers, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do not turn aside to astrologers, nor consult with soothsayers, so as to be polluted through them. I am the Lord your God.

New American Bible
Do not turn to ghosts or consult spirits, by which you will be defiled. I, the LORD, am your God.

New Revised Standard Version
Do not turn to mediums or wizards; do not seek them out, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall not go after diviners, neither after the soothsayers, nor shall you consult them to be defiled by them; I am the LORD your God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Do Not go after necromancers and soothsayers and you shall not inquire of them lest you will be defiled by them; I AM LORD JEHOVAH your God.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Turn ye not unto the ghosts, nor unto familiar spirits; seek them not out, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Ye shall not attend to those who have in them divining spirits, nor attach yourselves to enchanters, to pollute yourselves with them: I am the Lord your God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Keep My Decrees
30You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD. 31You 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. 32You are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the LORD.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.

Isaiah 8:19
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

1 Samuel 28:7-9
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. / So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.” / But the woman replied, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has killed the mediums and spiritists in the land. Why have you set a trap to get me killed?”

2 Kings 21:6
He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

2 Chronicles 33:6
He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Exodus 22:18
You must not allow a sorceress to live.

Micah 5:12
I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers.

Jeremiah 27:9-10
But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who declare, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ / For they prophesy to you a lie that will serve to remove you from your land; I will banish you and you will perish.

Acts 16:16-18
One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Revelation 22:15
But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

1 Corinthians 10:20-21
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

Ephesians 5:11-12
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. / For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,


Treasury of Scripture

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

Leviticus 19:26
Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.

Leviticus 20:6,7,27
And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people…

Exodus 22:18
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

Jump to Previous
Defiled Familiar Ghosts Mediums Necromancers Regard rs Seek Soothsayers Spiritists Spirits Turn Unclean Uncleanness Use Ways Wizards Wonder-Workers Yourselves
Jump to Next
Defiled Familiar Ghosts Mediums Necromancers Regard rs Seek Soothsayers Spiritists Spirits Turn Unclean Uncleanness Use Ways Wizards Wonder-Workers Yourselves
Leviticus 19
1. A repetition of various laws














You must not turn to mediums or spiritists
The phrase "You must not turn" is a direct command, emphasizing the seriousness of the prohibition. The Hebrew root for "turn" is "פָּנָה" (panah), which means to face or to look towards. This implies an intentional action of seeking guidance or assistance. In ancient Israel, mediums and spiritists were individuals who claimed to communicate with the dead or with spirits. The cultural context of the time was rife with pagan practices, and God’s people were called to be distinct and separate from such influences. The prohibition against turning to these figures underscores the importance of seeking guidance solely from God, who is the ultimate source of wisdom and truth.

do not seek them out
The phrase "do not seek them out" further reinforces the command by adding an element of pursuit. The Hebrew word "דָּרַשׁ" (darash) means to inquire or to search diligently. This suggests that seeking out mediums or spiritists is not a passive act but a deliberate choice that involves effort and intention. Historically, the Israelites were surrounded by nations that practiced divination and necromancy, and this command served as a boundary to protect them from adopting these practices. The emphasis here is on the active decision to avoid such influences, highlighting the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and fidelity to God.

or you will be defiled by them
The consequence of turning to mediums or spiritists is clearly stated: "you will be defiled by them." The Hebrew word for "defiled" is "טָמֵא" (tame), which means to be unclean or impure. In the Levitical context, defilement was not just a physical state but a spiritual one that affected one's relationship with God. Engaging with mediums and spiritists was seen as a contamination of the soul, leading to a separation from the holiness that God required of His people. This defilement was not merely ritualistic but moral and spiritual, emphasizing the gravity of turning away from God’s commandments.

I am the LORD your God
The declaration "I am the LORD your God" serves as both a reminder and a foundation for the command. The Hebrew name for God here is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the covenant name of God, which signifies His eternal presence and faithfulness. By stating "I am the LORD your God," the verse anchors the prohibition in the identity and authority of God Himself. It is a call to remember the covenant relationship between God and His people, where He is their sole provider, protector, and guide. This phrase is a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty and the exclusive devotion He requires from His people. It is an affirmation of His rightful place as the only source of spiritual guidance and truth.

(31) Regard not.--Better, Turn ye not unto, as the Authorised Version renders this very phrase in Leviticus 19:4.

Them that have familiar spirits.--This phrase represents the single word oboth in the original, and the translators of our Authorised Version by adopting it implied that those who practised this craft were supposed to be attended by an invisible spirit who was subject to their call to supply them with supernatural information. According to the authorities during the second Temple it denotes one who has a spirit speaking from under his arm-holes, or chest, with a hollow voice, as if it came out of a bottle, which is the meaning of ob in Job 32:19. They identified it with the spirit of Python, by which the ancient Chaldee Version renders it.

Neither seek after wizards.--The expression "wizard," which in old English denotes "wise man," "sage," is almost the exact equivalent of the word in the original. These cunning men pretended to tell people their fortunes, where their lost property was to be found, &c. According to ancient tradition, these wizards took in their mouth a bone of a certain bird called yadu?, burned incense, thus producing fumes which sent them off into an ecstacy, and then foretold future events. Hence their name, yidonee, as it is in the original. It occurs eleven times in the Bible, and always together with the word translated "familiar spirit."

Verse 31. - This verse contains a prohibition of all dealings with those that have familiar spirits or are wizards. The punishment of such persons is appointed in the next chapter. Both in the Old and the New Testament, the real existence of evil spirits and their power of communicating with the human spirit is assumed.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“You must not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

turn
תִּפְנ֤וּ (tip̄·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

mediums
הָאֹבֹת֙ (hā·’ō·ḇōṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 178: A bottle (made from animal skin), a necromancer

[or]
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

spiritists;
הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים (hay·yid·də·‘ō·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3049: A knowing one, a conjurer, a ghost

do not seek them out,
תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּ (tə·ḇaq·šū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

or you will be defiled
לְטָמְאָ֣ה (lə·ṭā·mə·’āh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

by them.
בָהֶ֑ם (ḇā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

I
אֲנִ֖י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


Links
Leviticus 19:31 NIV
Leviticus 19:31 NLT
Leviticus 19:31 ESV
Leviticus 19:31 NASB
Leviticus 19:31 KJV

Leviticus 19:31 BibleApps.com
Leviticus 19:31 Biblia Paralela
Leviticus 19:31 Chinese Bible
Leviticus 19:31 French Bible
Leviticus 19:31 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Leviticus 19:31 Don't turn to those who are mediums (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 19:30
Top of Page
Top of Page