Necromancy, the practice of communicating with the dead to predict the future or gain hidden knowledge, is explicitly condemned in the Bible. This practice is associated with divination and is considered an abomination to the Lord. The scriptures provide clear guidance on the prohibition of necromancy and the spiritual dangers it poses.

Old Testament 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 an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you."

This passage explicitly lists necromancy among practices that are detestable to God. The Israelites are warned against adopting the customs of the nations they are displacing, emphasizing the seriousness of these prohibitions.

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 Israelites are instructed to avoid mediums and spiritists, highlighting the defiling nature of such practices. The command underscores the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and allegiance to God.

3. Leviticus 20:6 : "Whoever turns to mediums or spiritists and prostitutes himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people."

This verse further emphasizes the severe consequences of engaging in necromancy, equating it with spiritual prostitution and resulting in divine judgment and separation from the community.

4. 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 seeks out a medium to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. The account illustrates the desperation and spiritual decline of Saul, as well as the futility and danger of necromancy.

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention necromancy, it continues to affirm the prohibition against engaging with occult practices. The following passages provide relevant principles:

1. 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."

Sorcery, which encompasses practices like necromancy, is listed among the works of the flesh that are incompatible with inheriting the kingdom of God.

2. 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."

This verse reiterates the eternal consequences for those who engage in sorcery, including necromancy, aligning it with other grave sins that lead to spiritual death.

Summary

The Bible consistently condemns necromancy as a practice that is detestable to God. It is associated with idolatry, spiritual defilement, and rebellion against God's authority. The scriptures warn of severe consequences for those who engage in such practices, urging believers to seek guidance and wisdom from God alone.Deuteronomy 18:11
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 26:14
I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have listened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that you have commanded me.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 8:19
And when they shall say to you, Seek to them that have familiar spirits, and to wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek to their God? for the living to the dead?
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 29:4
And you shall be brought down, and shall speak out of the ground, and your speech shall be low out of the dust, and your voice shall be, as of one that has a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and your speech shall whisper out of the dust.
Nave's Topical Index

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... Christ died not only for men in general, but also ... of purgatory is opposed to the
Scriptures, and to ... The Lord forbids necromancy (Deuteronomy 18:10); and the ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... Canonical Scriptures, the, [255]206, [256]382; the ... 457]154, etc.; what Apuleius thought
concerning the manners ... truth to .enjoy above His general bounties, [694 ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... Finally, the general object is stated, to be particularised ... it is "over." Margin
concerning. ... and brings hopeless confusion into the Scriptures, besides showing ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... and thus, by licentiously wresting the Scriptures, make them ... Wherefore, in general,
he calls us entirely away ... those who use it in necromancy, cursing, illicit ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

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