Sorcery by entrails, also known as extispicy, is an ancient practice of divination that involves examining the entrails of sacrificed animals to predict future events or discern the will of the gods. This practice was prevalent among various ancient cultures, including the Babylonians, Etruscans, and Romans. In the context of the Bible, sorcery by entrails is considered a form of divination and is explicitly condemned as an abomination to the Lord.

Biblical References and Context

The Bible contains several references to divination practices, including the examination of entrails, which are grouped under the broader category of sorcery and witchcraft. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Israelites are warned against adopting the detestable practices of the nations around them: "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 practice of divination, including extispicy, is associated with pagan rituals and is seen as a direct challenge to the sovereignty and authority of God. The Israelites were called to rely on God's revelation through His prophets and His Word, rather than seeking knowledge through forbidden means.

Historical and Cultural Background

In the ancient Near East, divination by entrails was a common practice among pagan nations. Priests or diviners would examine the liver, intestines, and other organs of sacrificed animals, believing that the gods communicated their will through the appearance and condition of these organs. This practice was often used to make decisions in matters of state, warfare, and personal affairs.

The Bible records instances where foreign nations and their leaders engaged in such practices. For example, in Ezekiel 21:21 , the prophet describes the king of Babylon using divination to decide his military strategy: "For the king of Babylon will stop at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen. He will cast lots with arrows; he will consult his idols; he will examine the liver."

Theological Implications

From a biblical perspective, sorcery by entrails is a manifestation of humanity's rebellion against God. It represents a desire to control one's destiny and gain knowledge apart from God's revealed will. The practice is rooted in idolatry, as it places trust in created things rather than the Creator.

The Bible consistently teaches that true wisdom and guidance come from God alone. In Isaiah 8:19-20 , the prophet admonishes the people to seek God rather than turn to mediums and spiritists: "When they say to you, 'Consult the spirits of the dead and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,' should a people not consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn."

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The prohibition against sorcery by entrails underscores the importance of faithfulness to God and His commandments. It serves as a reminder that God's people are to be distinct from the surrounding nations, reflecting His holiness and righteousness. Engaging in such practices is seen as a breach of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

In the New Testament, the rejection of sorcery and divination is reaffirmed. Acts 19:19 describes the response of new believers in Ephesus who renounced their former practices: "And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand drachmas."

Sorcery by entrails, as part of the broader category of divination, is consistently portrayed in Scripture as contrary to the will of God. It is a practice that reflects a lack of trust in God's providence and a turning away from His truth.Ezekiel 21:21
For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.
Nave's Topical Index

the Legendary History of Egypt
... There came Isis with her sorcery, her mouth full of life-giving breaths, her recipe
for the ... Deliver me from the Typhon who feedeth on entrails, O chiefs! ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 3. <. ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

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