The term "conjure" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept of conjuring, often associated with summoning spirits or performing magical acts, is addressed through various biblical passages that discuss practices related to divination, sorcery, and necromancy. These practices are consistently condemned throughout Scripture, as they are seen as attempts to access supernatural power apart from God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites are repeatedly warned against engaging in practices that involve conjuring or summoning spirits. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 states: "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."

The prohibition against such practices is rooted in the belief that they represent a form of idolatry, as they seek guidance and power from sources other than God. The account of King Saul consulting the medium at Endor (1 Samuel 28:7-20) serves as a cautionary tale. Saul, having been rejected by God, seeks out a medium to conjure the spirit of the prophet Samuel. This act of desperation leads to his downfall, illustrating the dangers and futility of seeking supernatural guidance outside of God's will.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the practice of conjuring is similarly condemned. Acts 19:13-16 recounts the account of the seven sons of Sceva, Jewish exorcists who attempted to invoke the name of Jesus to cast out evil spirits. Their failure and subsequent humiliation underscore the importance of genuine faith and the authority of Christ over any form of magical or conjuring practice.

The New Testament emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ and the Holy Spirit as the only legitimate sources of spiritual power and guidance. Galatians 5:19-21 lists sorcery among the "acts of the flesh," warning that those who practice such things "will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the Bible's condemnation of conjuring and related practices underscores the importance of relying solely on God for spiritual insight and power. The attempt to conjure or manipulate spiritual forces is seen as a rejection of God's sovereignty and an affront to His holiness. The biblical narrative consistently points to the dangers of engaging with the spiritual realm outside of God's ordained means, which include prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Practical Considerations

For believers, the biblical stance on conjuring serves as a reminder to avoid any practices that seek to manipulate or control spiritual forces. This includes modern-day practices that may be disguised as harmless entertainment or cultural traditions. Christians are encouraged to seek discernment and to rely on the wisdom and power of God, as revealed through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, rather than turning to forbidden practices that promise power or insight apart from Him.1. (v. t.) To call on or summon by a sacred name or in solemn manner; to implore earnestly; to adjure.

2. (v. i.) To combine together by an oath; to conspire; to confederate.

3. (v. t.) To affect or effect by conjuration; to call forth or send away by magic arts; to excite or alter, as if by magic or by the aid of supernatural powers.

4. (v. i.) To practice magical arts; to use the tricks of a conjurer; to juggle; to charm.

1844. exorkizo -- to administer an oath, to adjure
... adjure. From ek and horkizo; to exact an oath, ie Conjure -- adjure. see GREEK ek.
see GREEK horkizo. (exorkizo) -- 1 Occurrence. 1843, 1844. exorkizo. 1845 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1844.htm - 7k

3143. marturomai -- to summon as witness, to affirm
... testify, solemnly charge Definition: (properly: I call (summon) to witness, and
then absolutely) I testify, protest, asseverate; I conjure, solemnly charge. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3143.htm - 6k

7080. qasam -- to practice divination
... Word Origin denominative verb from qesem Definition to practice divination NASB
Word Usage conjure (1), divination (2), divine (2), diviner (2), diviners (7 ...
/hebrew/7080.htm - 6k

There is but one Creator of the World, God the Father: this the ...
... This God, then, being acknowledged, as I have said, and receiving testimony from
all to the fact of His existence, that Father whom they conjure into existence ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter ix there is but one.htm

Faith's Dawn and Its Clouds
... light which he has received fills him with intense delight, but it is not very clear
and abiding; he sees men as trees walking, and is ready to conjure up a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/faiths dawn and its clouds.htm

The Battle of Life
... exploits. Craven spirits we may expect always to find, who conjure up gloomy
anticipations, and to forbade horrible disasters. The ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the battle of life.htm

Of Self-Surrender
... But I conjure you, my dearly beloved, who sincerely wish to give up yourselves to
God, that after you have made the donation, you will not snatch yourselves ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter vi of self-surrender.htm

The Wicked Husbandmen.
... With us it requires an exercise of imagination to conjure up a scene in which these
events could possibly occur; but in those regions such anarchy was not ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xi the wicked husbandmen.htm

The Object of Theology
... towards me by many and most signal tokens will allow such a liberty, I implore,
nay, (so pressing is my present necessity,) I solemnly conjure you, to unite ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration i the object of.htm

The Heinous Sin of Drunkenness
... this sin has made you) it is not without the strongest reasons, as well as utmost
concern for your precious and immortal souls, that I now conjure you, in the ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of drunkenness.htm

Luther's Small Catechism. AD 1529.
... We should so fear and love God as not to curse, swear, conjure, lie, or deceive,
by his name; but call upon it in every time of need, pray, praise and give ...
/.../luthers small catechism a d 1529.htm

Meditations Directing a Christian How to Apply to Himself, Without ...
... in the bowels of Christ Jesus I entreat thee, nay, I conjure thee, as thou tenderest
thine own salvation, seriously to consider with me, how false, how vain ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations directing a christian how.htm

The Dryness of Preachers, and the Various Evils which Arise from ...
... I conjure you to put them first of all into this way, which is Jesus Christ; and
it is He who conjures you to do this by the blood He has shed for the souls He ...
/.../chapter xviii the dryness of.htm

Conjure (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To practice magical arts; to use the tricks of a conjurer; to juggle;
to charm. Multi-Version Concordance Conjure (2 Occurrences). ...
/c/conjure.htm - 7k

Conjurer (1 Occurrence)

/c/conjurer.htm - 7k

Conjugal (2 Occurrences)

/c/conjugal.htm - 7k

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