CAN YOU TALK TO THE DEAD?

NECROMANCY, FAMILIAR SPIRITS, DIVINATION, OUIJA BOARDS, SEANCES, ETC.

"[9] When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do
after the abominations of those nations.

[10] There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through
the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

[11] Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

[12] For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations
the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee." - Deuteronomy 18:9-12

DIVINATION - 1. The act of divining; a foretelling future events, or discovering things secret or obscure,
by the aid of superior beings, or by other than human means. The ancient heathen philosophers divided
divination into two kinds, natural and artificial. Natural divination was supposed to be effected by a kind
of inspiration or divine afflatus; artificial divination was effected by certain rites, experiments or
observations, as by sacrifices, cakes, flour, wine, observation of entrails, flight of birds, lots, verses,
omens, position of the stars, ouija boards, tarot cards, etc.

"[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." - Ezekiel 21:21

he made his arrows bright; being made of iron or steel; in the brightness of which diviners looked, and
made their observations, and accordingly directed what was to be done; as they did by looking into the
brightness of a man's nails,

SCRYING - Scrying (also called seeing or peeping) is the practice of looking into a translucent ball or other
material with the belief that things can be seen, such as spiritual visions, and less often for purposes of
divination or fortune-telling. The most common media used are reflective, translucent, or luminescent
substances such as crystals, stones, glass, mirrors, water, fire, or smoke. Scrying has been used in many
cultures in the belief that it can divine the past, present, or future.

Although scrying is most commonly done with a crystal ball, it may also be performed using any smooth
surface, such as a bowl of liquid, a pond, or a crystal.(or a piece of shiny metal like an arrow)
he consulted with images; he consulted with images; or "teraphim"; images in which, as Kimchi says,
they saw things future; Heathen oracles, from whence responses were made; these were images for
private use, such as were the "lares" and "penates" with the Romans; these Laban had in his house in
which Rachel stole from him; and are supposed to be such as are made under certain constellations, and
their influences capable of speaking; see Zechariah 10:2, as Aben Ezra on Genesis 31:34 observes, with
which men used to consult about things future or unknown; and this is thought to be one reason why
Rachel took away these images from her father, that he might not, by consulting with them, know which
way Jacob fled, with such as these the king of Babylon consulted, that he might know which way he
should take:

TERAPHIM - the word is generally thought to design some little images or idols, like the penates or
household gods of the Romans, which were consulted about future things; and so the Jews commonly
understand it, and some describe them thusF7,

"what are the "teraphim?" they slay the firstborn of a man, cut off his head, and pickle it with salt and
oil, and inscribe on a plate of gold the name of an unclean spirit, and put that under his tongue; then
they place it in a wall, and light candles before it, and pray unto it, and it talks with them.'

"[5] And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one
of his sons, who became his priest." - Judges 17:5

he looked in the liver; of a beast slain, and made observations on that to direct him; as used to be done
by the Aruspices among the Romans. This is that sort of divination which is called "hepatoscopy", or
inspection into the liver; for though the Aruspices or Extispices, so called from their looking into the
entrails of a beast, and making their observations on them, used to view the several inward parts, yet
chiefly the liver, which they called the head of the intestines; and if this was wanting, or the head in it,
the chief part of it, it was an ill omen; thus, in the month that Claudius Caesar was poisoned, the head of
the liver was wanting in the sacrifice; or if the liver was livid, vicious, had any pustules upon it, or any
purulent matter in it; or was touched, cut and wounded with the knife of the sacrificer, it foreboded
great evils and misfortunes; or if the extreme part of the liver, which is called the fibre, was so placed,
that from the lowest fibre the livers were replicated, or there was a double liver, this was a token for
good, and portended joy and happinessF8: moreover, they used to divide the bowels or entrails into two
parts, and so the liver; the one they called "familiaris", by which they judged what would befall
themselves and their friends; the other "hostilis", what concerned their enemies; according to the habit,
colour, and position they were in, they concluded what would befall the one and the otherF9. LucanF11
and SenecaF12 particularly have respect to this: and the king of Babylon here having two people to deal
with, the Ammonites and the Jews, he inspects the liver of a creature slain for sacrifice, that he might
judge which was best and safest for him to attack; which was less threatening, and more easy to be
overcomeF13: this divination used to be made with calves, kids, and lambs

"[16] And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination
met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:" - Acts 16:16
CONSULTER OF FAMILIAR SPIRITS-

"or a consulter with familiar spirits; or the inquirer of "Ob", or the bottle, which the Jews interpret of
Python, or one that has the spirit of Python; see Acts 16:16, a ventriloquist, one that spoke or seemed to
speak out of his belly, or from under his armpits; so it is said in the Misnah of Ob, this is Python, one that
speaks out of his arm holes; agreeably to which, Jarchi says, this is that sort of witchcraft which is called
Python, and he speaks from his arm holes, and brings up the dead thither"

and so Apollo is said to have his name Pythius, from his killing the serpent Typhon, or Python; hence the
city of Delphos, where was the oracle of Apollo, was called Pytho; the prophetess that sat upon the
golden tripos, and delivered out the oracles, Pythia; and the feasts and plays instituted to the honour of
Apollo, were called the Pythian feasts and plays, and the place of the oracle Pythium"

(more about the oracle of Delphi(Python) later)

PUNISHABLE BY DEATH IN THE OT

" [6] And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring
after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

[27] A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death:
they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them." - Leviticus 20:6,7

SAUL CONSULTS A WOMAN WITH A FAMILIAR SPIRIT TO CONTACT THE DEAD

"[5] And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

[6] And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams nor by Urim,
nor by prophets.

[7] Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her,
and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at
Endor.

[8] And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they
came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring
me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

[9] And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those
that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life,
to cause me to die?
[10] And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to
thee for this thing.

[11] Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

[12] And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul,
saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

[13] And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I
saw gods ascending out of the earth." - I Samuel 28:5-13

SAUL'S PUNISHMENT

"[13] So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of
the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of
it;

[14] And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of
Jesse." - I Chronicles 10:13,14

- Familiar spirits follow people around and know everything about them. They are in contact with other
familiar spirits to exchange information. When someone seeks someone with a familiar spirit this is why
it seems they know so much information.

NECROMANCY - 1. The art of revealing future events by means of a pretended communication with the
dead. This imposture is prohibited.

NECROMANCER - One who pretends to foretell future events by holding converse with departed spirits;
a conjurer.

- Familiar spirits impersonate the dead.

CAN YOU TALK TO THE SPIRITS OF THE DEAD?

"[5] For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any
more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

[6] Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a
portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun." - Ecclesiastes 9:5,6
"[19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously
every day:

[20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

[21] And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs
came and licked his sores.

[22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the
rich man also died, and was buried;

[23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his
bosom.

[24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the
tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

[25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise
Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

[26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass
from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

[27] Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

[28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of
torment.

[29] Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

[30] And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

[31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded,
though one rose from the dead." - Luke 16:19-31

THERE IS NO PURGATORY OR IN BETWEEN REALM OF THE DEAD

"[27] And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" - Hebrews 9:27

"[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the
Lord." - II Corinthians 5:8
"[9] When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do
after the abominations of those nations.

[10] There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through
the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

[11] Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

[12] For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations
the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee." - Deuteronomy 18:9-12

DIVINATION - 1. The act of divining; a foretelling future events, or discovering things secret or obscure,
by the aid of superior beings, or by other than human means. The ancient heathen philosophers divided
divination into two kinds, natural and artificial. Natural divination was supposed to be effected by a kind
of inspiration or divine afflatus; artificial divination was effected by certain rites, experiments or
observations, as by sacrifices, cakes, flour, wine, observation of entrails, flight of birds, lots, verses,
omens, position of the stars, ouija boards, tarot cards, etc.

"[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." - Ezekiel 21:21

he made his arrows bright; being made of iron or steel; in the brightness of which diviners looked, and
made their observations, and accordingly directed what was to be done; as they did by looking into the
brightness of a man's nails,

SCRYING - Scrying (also called seeing or peeping) is the practice of looking into a translucent ball or other
material with the belief that things can be seen, such as spiritual visions, and less often for purposes of
divination or fortune-telling. The most common media used are reflective, translucent, or luminescent
substances such as crystals, stones, glass, mirrors, water, fire, or smoke. Scrying has been used in many
cultures in the belief that it can divine the past, present, or future.

Although scrying is most commonly done with a crystal ball, it may also be performed using any smooth
surface, such as a bowl of liquid, a pond, or a crystal.(or a piece of shiny metal like an arrow)

he consulted with images; he consulted with images; or "teraphim"; images in which, as Kimchi says,
they saw things future; Heathen oracles, from whence responses were made; these were images for
private use, such as were the "lares" and "penates" with the Romans; these Laban had in his house in
which Rachel stole from him; and are supposed to be such as are made under certain constellations, and
their influences capable of speaking; see Zechariah 10:2, as Aben Ezra on Genesis 31:34 observes, with
which men used to consult about things future or unknown; and this is thought to be one reason why
Rachel took away these images from her father, that he might not, by consulting with them, know which
way Jacob fled, with such as these the king of Babylon consulted, that he might know which way he
should take:

TERAPHIM - the word is generally thought to design some little images or idols, like the penates or
household gods of the Romans, which were consulted about future things; and so the Jews commonly
understand it, and some describe them thusF7,

"what are the "teraphim?" they slay the firstborn of a man, cut off his head, and pickle it with salt and
oil, and inscribe on a plate of gold the name of an unclean spirit, and put that under his tongue; then
they place it in a wall, and light candles before it, and pray unto it, and it talks with them.'

"[5] And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one
of his sons, who became his priest." - Judges 17:5

he looked in the liver; of a beast slain, and made observations on that to direct him; as used to be done
by the Aruspices among the Romans. This is that sort of divination which is called "hepatoscopy", or
inspection into the liver; for though the Aruspices or Extispices, so called from their looking into the
entrails of a beast, and making their observations on them, used to view the several inward parts, yet
chiefly the liver, which they called the head of the intestines; and if this was wanting, or the head in it,
the chief part of it, it was an ill omen; thus, in the month that Claudius Caesar was poisoned, the head of
the liver was wanting in the sacrifice; or if the liver was livid, vicious, had any pustules upon it, or any
purulent matter in it; or was touched, cut and wounded with the knife of the sacrificer, it foreboded
great evils and misfortunes; or if the extreme part of the liver, which is called the fibre, was so placed,
that from the lowest fibre the livers were replicated, or there was a double liver, this was a token for
good, and portended joy and happinessF8: moreover, they used to divide the bowels or entrails into two
parts, and so the liver; the one they called "familiaris", by which they judged what would befall
themselves and their friends; the other "hostilis", what concerned their enemies; according to the habit,
colour, and position they were in, they concluded what would befall the one and the otherF9. LucanF11
and SenecaF12 particularly have respect to this: and the king of Babylon here having two people to deal
with, the Ammonites and the Jews, he inspects the liver of a creature slain for sacrifice, that he might
judge which was best and safest for him to attack; which was less threatening, and more easy to be
overcomeF13: this divination used to be made with calves, kids, and lambs

"[16] And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination
met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:" - Acts 16:16

CONSULTER OF FAMILIAR SPIRITS-

"or a consulter with familiar spirits; or the inquirer of "Ob", or the bottle, which the Jews interpret of
Python, or one that has the spirit of Python; see Acts 16:16, a ventriloquist, one that spoke or seemed to
speak out of his belly, or from under his armpits; so it is said in the Misnah of Ob, this is Python, one that
speaks out of his arm holes; agreeably to which, Jarchi says, this is that sort of witchcraft which is called
Python, and he speaks from his arm holes, and brings up the dead thither"

and so Apollo is said to have his name Pythius, from his killing the serpent Typhon, or Python; hence the
city of Delphos, where was the oracle of Apollo, was called Pytho; the prophetess that sat upon the
golden tripos, and delivered out the oracles, Pythia; and the feasts and plays instituted to the honour of
Apollo, were called the Pythian feasts and plays, and the place of the oracle Pythium"

(more about the oracle of Delphi(Python) later)

PUNISHABLE BY DEATH IN THE OT

" [6] And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring
after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

[27] A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death:
they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them." - Leviticus 20:6,7

SAUL CONSULTS A WOMAN WITH A FAMILIAR SPIRIT TO CONTACT THE DEAD

"[5] And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

[6] And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams nor by Urim,
nor by prophets.

[7] Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her,
and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at
Endor.

[8] And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they
came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring
me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

[9] And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those
that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life,
to cause me to die?

[10] And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to
thee for this thing.

[11] Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
[12] And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul,
saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

[13] And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I
saw gods ascending out of the earth." - I Samuel 28:5-13

SAUL'S PUNISHMENT

"[13] So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of
the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of
it;

[14] And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of
Jesse." - I Chronicles 10:13,14

- Familiar spirits follow people around and know everything about them. They are in contact with other
familiar spirits to exchange information. When someone seeks someone with a familiar spirit this is why
it seems they know so much information.

NECROMANCY - 1. The art of revealing future events by means of a pretended communication with the
dead. This imposture is prohibited.

NECROMANCER - One who pretends to foretell future events by holding converse with departed spirits;
a conjurer.

- Familiar spirits impersonate the dead.

CAN YOU TALK TO THE SPIRITS OF THE DEAD?

"[5] For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any
more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

[6] Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a
portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun." - Ecclesiastes 9:5,6

"[19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously
every day:

[20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
[21] And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs
came and licked his sores.

[22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the
rich man also died, and was buried;

[23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his
bosom.

[24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the
tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

[25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise
Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

[26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass
from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

[27] Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

[28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of
torment.

[29] Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

[30] And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

[31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded,
though one rose from the dead." - Luke 16:19-31

THERE IS NO PURGATORY OR IN BETWEEN REALM OF THE DEAD

"[27] And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" - Hebrews 9:27

"[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the
Lord." - II Corinthians 5:8