SOURCE - Dictionary of Bible Themes: 4155 divination
Dictionary of Bible Themes ” 4000 Creation ” 4100 Supernatural beings ” 4155 divination
Attempts to discover the unknown or the future by supernatural means, involving communication with the spirit world. It is expressly forbidden by God and has disastrous consequences.
Divination was part of early beliefs and practices
Genesis 41:24; Exodus 7:11; Isaiah 31:1-2; Isaiah 47:9; Jeremiah 27:9; Ezekiel 21:21; Daniel 2:2; Daniel 5:7
Examples of divination in NT times
Acts 8:9-13-24; Acts 13:6-12; Acts 16:16-18
The reality of a supernatural spirit world
The spirit world is real and alluring
Acts 8:11 See also Genesis 44:5; 1 Samuel 6:2; Acts 8:9-10
The spirit world is powerful and dangerous
2 Kings 9:22 See also Numbers 22:6-7; 2 Kings 17:17; Zechariah 10:2; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; Revelation 18:23
Deliberate involvement with divination forbidden
Leviticus 19:31 See also Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 18:10-14; 2 Kings 21:6; Isaiah 8:19-20; Ezekiel 13:23; Micah 5:12; Malachi 3:5; Galatians 5:20
It is God’s divine privilege to reveal or conceal things
Deuteronomy 29:29 See also Proverbs 25:2
Examples of the evil of divination
1 Samuel 28:7 See also 1 Samuel 28:3-15
Casting lots to make decisions
Divination is clearly forbidden but some practices such as casting lots seem acceptable ways of discovering God’s will in particular circumstances:
1 Chronicles 26:13-16; Nehemiah 11:1; Acts 1:26
See also
1412 foreknowledge
4175 mediums
4185 sorcery and magic
4185 sorcery and magic
4190 spiritism
4195 spirits
7392 lots, casting of
8124 guidance
8734 evil
9130 future, the