A necromancer, in biblical terms, refers to an individual who seeks to communicate with the dead, often to gain insight or foreknowledge about future events. This practice is explicitly condemned in the Scriptures, as it is associated with divination and the occult, which are considered abominations to the Lord.

Biblical References:

1. 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."

This passage clearly lists necromancy among practices that are forbidden for the Israelites. The context of these verses is a warning against adopting the detestable practices of the nations that Israel was to dispossess. Necromancy, along with other forms of divination, is seen as a direct violation of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

2. Leviticus 19:31 : "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."

Here, the prohibition against seeking out necromancers is reiterated, emphasizing the defilement that comes from engaging in such practices. The command underscores the holiness required of God's people and the need to rely solely on Him for guidance and wisdom.

3. 1 Samuel 28:7-20 : This narrative describes King Saul's encounter with the medium of Endor. Despite having previously expelled mediums and spiritists from the land, Saul, in desperation, seeks out a necromancer to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. The episode highlights the futility and danger of necromancy, as Saul receives a message of doom rather than the guidance he sought.

The account serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobedience to God's commands and the spiritual peril of turning to forbidden practices.

Theological Implications:

Necromancy is viewed as a form of idolatry, as it involves seeking knowledge and power apart from God. It represents a rebellion against God's sovereignty and a rejection of His revealed will. The practice is often linked with other forms of occultism, which are seen as attempts to manipulate spiritual forces contrary to God's purposes.

The biblical prohibition against necromancy underscores the importance of trusting in God's providence and revelation. Believers are called to seek wisdom and guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the counsel of the Holy Spirit, rather than through illicit means.

Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, necromancy was a common practice among pagan cultures. It was often associated with rituals intended to appease or consult the dead for guidance. The Israelites, however, were set apart as a holy nation, called to worship and serve the one true God. The prohibitions against necromancy and other occult practices served to distinguish them from surrounding nations and to maintain their covenant relationship with God.

Contemporary Relevance:

In modern times, necromancy and related practices continue to be a concern for Christians who seek to uphold biblical teachings. The allure of the occult remains strong in various forms, from popular media to personal spiritual exploration. The biblical warnings against necromancy serve as a reminder of the importance of discernment and fidelity to God's Word in a world filled with spiritual deception.(Deuteronomy 15:11), i.e., "one who interrogates the dead," as the word literally means, with the view of discovering the secrets of futurity (Comp. 1 Samuel 28:7). (see DIVINATION.) (n.) One who predicts the future by communicating with the dead; a sorcerer; a wizard.178. ob -- a bottle (made from animal skin), a necromancer
... 177b, 178. ob. 179 . a bottle (made from animal skin), a necromancer.
Transliteration: ob Phonetic Spelling: (obe) Short Definition: mediums. ...
/hebrew/178.htm - 6k

825. ashshaph -- a conjurer, necromancer
... 824, 825. ashshaph. 826 . a conjurer, necromancer. Transliteration: ashshaph
Phonetic Spelling: (ash-shawf') Short Definition: conjurers. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/825.htm - 6k

328. at -- gentleness
... From an unused root perhaps meaning to move softly; (as a noun) a necromancer (from
their soft incantations), (as an adverb) gently -- charmer, gently, secret ...
/hebrew/328.htm - 6k

Saint George Kills the Enchanter Osmond.
... Then the giant swore to speak the truth, and told him that the necromancer had made
a huge fire in a deep vault whence all the smoke came forth, but that near ...
/.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter thirteen saint george kills.htm

Prophets and the Prophet
... enchanter, or a witch, 11. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits,
or a wizard, or a necromancer.12. For all that do ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/prophets and the prophet.htm

Footnotes
... future events by communication with the dead; necromancy." And Nekromantis: "One
who reveals future events by communication with the dead; a necromancer.". ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/footnotes.htm

Now Saul Upon God's not Answering Him Concerning the Fight with ...
... mischief would befall him, now God was not there to assist him; yet did he bid his
servants to inquire out for him some woman that was a necromancer and called ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 now saul upon.htm

The Release of Saint George.
... Suddenly the brazen gates of the castle burst open, and there issued forth the
Necromancer Ormandine, arrayed in all the terrors with which he could clothe ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter eleven the release of.htm

Paracelsus {13}
... It had always been haunting the European imagination. Mediaeval monks had long
ago transformed the poet Virgil into a great necromancer. ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/paracelsus 13.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... A necromancer was one who had, or pretended to have communication with the
dead,"who sought "for the living to the dead,"(9) Isa.8:19. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Bad Ecclesiastics and Base Plots
... the office could produce. He was an Italian named Gerontius, and had been
half-physician, half-necromancer at Milan. He figured as ...
/.../chapter xxxix bad ecclesiastics and.htm

Knox and Queen Mary (Continued), 1564-1567
... Parkhurst tells Bullinger, among other novelties, that Riccio was a necromancer,
who happened to be dirked; by whom he does not say. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xvii knox and queen.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... [27] This history of Saul's consultation, not with a witch, as we render the Hebrew
word here, but with a necromancer, as the whole history shows, is easily ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

Necromancer (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Necromancer (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer,
or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. ...
/n/necromancer.htm - 7k

Witchcraft (8 Occurrences)
... Scripture. The "witch of En-dor" (1 Samuel 28) was a necromancer, ie, one
who feigned to hold converse with the dead. The damsel ...
/w/witchcraft.htm - 23k

Necromancers (8 Occurrences)

/n/necromancers.htm - 9k

Saul (371 Occurrences)
... Saul's Divided Energies 12. Consults a Necromancer 13. ... Consults a Necromancer: Saul
himself saw that his case was desperate, and that in fact the game was up. ...
/s/saul.htm - 76k

Necoh (4 Occurrences)

/n/necoh.htm - 7k

Wizard (3 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit,
or a wizard, or a necromancer. (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV). ...
/w/wizard.htm - 8k

Magician (5 Occurrences)
... (n.) One skilled in magic; a sorcerer; one who practices the black art; an enchanter;
a necromancer; a sorcerer or sorceress; a conjurer. Int. ...
/m/magician.htm - 24k

Medium (4 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar
spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. (See NAS RSV NIV). 1 ...
/m/medium.htm - 8k

Casts (21 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY NAS). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar
spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. (See NAS NIV). ...
/c/casts.htm - 11k

Charmer (5 Occurrences)
... Charmer (5 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 18:11 or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar
spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV) ...
/c/charmer.htm - 8k

What does the Bible say about necromancy? | GotQuestions.org

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Necromancer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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