Topical Encyclopedia Divination, in the context of the Bible, refers to the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means. This practice is often associated with magicians, sorcerers, and other practitioners of the occult arts, who are depicted in the Scriptures as engaging in activities that are contrary to the will of God.The Bible consistently condemns divination and related practices, viewing them as abominations that lead people away from the truth of God. 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 detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you." Magicians in the biblical narrative often appear in opposition to God's prophets and servants. In the book of Exodus, the magicians of Egypt are portrayed as attempting to replicate the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron. In Exodus 7:11-12 , it is recorded: "Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same things by their magic arts. Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs." This passage illustrates the limited power of magicians compared to the divine power of God. In the New Testament, the practice of divination is also addressed. In Acts 8:9-11 , Simon the Sorcerer is introduced: "Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, 'This man is the divine power called the Great Power.' They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery." Simon's encounter with the apostles highlights the conflict between the deceptive power of magic and the true power of the Holy Spirit. Another significant account is found in Acts 16:16-18 , where a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination is encountered by Paul and Silas: "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 the spirit left her at that very moment." This incident underscores the authority of Christ over demonic forces and the futility of divination. Throughout the Scriptures, divination is consistently portrayed as a practice that leads individuals away from reliance on God and His revelation. The biblical narrative emphasizes the supremacy of God's wisdom and power over any form of human or demonic manipulation, urging believers to seek guidance and truth solely from the Lord. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 41:8And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them to Pharaoh. Torrey's Topical Textbook Daniel 4:7 Library The Fraud of the Foregoing Practices; their Connection with Heresy ... The Unclean Spirits. The Refutation of All Heresies The Book of Jubilees The City of God. Index of Subjects. the Legendary History of Egypt Resources What are tarot cards? Are tarot cards evil? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about sorcery? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about dowsing? | GotQuestions.org Divination: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Divination: All Who Practised It, Abominable Divination: An Abominable Practice Divination: Could not Injure the Lord's People Divination: Effected Through: A Lucrative Employment Divination: Effected Through: Books of, Numerous and Expensive Divination: Effected Through: Connected With Idolatry Divination: Effected Through: Cups Divination: Effected Through: Dreams Divination: Effected Through: Enchantments Divination: Effected Through: Inspecting the Inside of Beasts Divination: Effected Through: Observing Heavenly Bodies Divination: Effected Through: Observing Times Divination: Effected Through: Raising the Dead Divination: Effected Through: Rods Divination: Effected Through: Sorcery Divination: Effected Through: The Flight of Arrows Divination: Practised by Astrologers Divination: Practised by Charmers Divination: Practised by Consulters of Familiar Spirits Divination: Practised by Diviners Divination: Practised by Enchanters Divination: Practised by False Prophets Divination: Practised by Magicians Divination: Practised by Necromancers Divination: Practised by Soothsayers Divination: Practised by Sorcerers Divination: Practised by Witches Divination: Practised by Wizards Divination: The Law: Forbade Seeking To Divination: The Law: Forbade to the Israelites the Practice of Divination: The Law: Punished Those Who Sought To Divination: The Law: Punished With Death Those Who Used Divination: Those Who Practised used Mysterious Words and Gestures Divination: Those Who Practised: Consulted in Difficulties Divination: Those Who Practised: Regarded As Wise Men Divination: Those Who Practised: Regarded With Awe Related Terms |
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