Topical Bible: Divination: All Who Practised It, Abominable

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Divination, in the biblical context, refers to the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means. This practice is consistently condemned throughout Scripture, as it is seen as an attempt to gain insight or power apart from God. The Bible categorically labels divination as an abomination, associating it with pagan practices and false religions.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides numerous references to divination, often in the context of prohibitions against it. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , the Israelites are explicitly warned: "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."

The practice of divination is associated with the Canaanite nations, whose customs and religious practices were detestable to God. The Israelites were instructed to avoid these practices to maintain their covenant relationship with God and to distinguish themselves as His chosen people.

In 1 Samuel 15:23 , the prophet Samuel equates rebellion with the sin of divination, stating, "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and arrogance is as wickedness and idolatry." This comparison underscores the severity of divination as a rejection of God's authority and a form of spiritual rebellion.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not address divination as frequently as the Old Testament, it continues to affirm its abominable nature. In Acts 16:16-18 , the Apostle Paul encounters a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. The text states, "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. She 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 it left her at that very moment."

This account demonstrates the power of Christ over demonic forces and the rejection of divination as a legitimate source of spiritual insight. The spirit of divination is cast out, affirming the supremacy of the Gospel and the authority of Jesus Christ.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, divination is seen as a direct challenge to the sovereignty and omniscience of God. It represents a human attempt to bypass divine revelation and seek knowledge or power through illegitimate means. The practice is often linked with idolatry, as it involves placing trust in created things or spiritual entities rather than in the Creator.

The biblical condemnation of divination serves as a warning to believers to rely solely on God for guidance and wisdom. It underscores the importance of faith and obedience to God's Word, as opposed to seeking forbidden knowledge or engaging in practices that are contrary to His will.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, divination is consistently portrayed as an abominable practice, incompatible with the worship of the one true God. It is associated with paganism, rebellion, and idolatry, and is unequivocally rejected by the biblical authors. Believers are called to trust in God's providence and to seek His guidance through prayer and the study of Scripture, rather than through forbidden practices.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 18:12
For all that do these things are an abomination to the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD your God does drive them out from before you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

the Legendary History of Egypt
... of a surgical operation similar to that practised upon a ... of Osiris taught to their
dead, all is not ... the bread offerings was considered as abominable as calumny ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... Divination, [531]142 ... 90, etc.; the providence of, [691]93, etc., [692]190; all the
glory ... the impurity of the worship of, [718]24; obscenities practised in honor ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... verily none at all; but rather damage and reproach, as will soon appear to any ... in
his spirit, when the wench that had a spirit of divination did acknowledge ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm