TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Deuteronomy 18:9–14. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
One would not think there had been so much need as it seems there was to arm the people of Israel against the infection of the idolatrous customs of the Canaanites. Was it possible that a people so blessed with divine institutions should ever admit the brutish and barbarous inventions of men and devils? Were they in any danger of making those their tutors and directors in religion whom God had made their captives and tributaries? It seems they were in danger, and therefore, after many similar cautions, they are here charged not to do after the abominations of those nations, Deu 18:9.
I.Some particulars are specified; as,
1.The consecrating of their children to Moloch, an idol that represented the sun, by making them to pass through the fire, and sometimes consuming them as sacrifices in the fire, Deu 18:10. See the law against this before, Lev 18:21.
2.Using arts of divination, to get the unnecessary knowledge of things to come, enchantments, witchcrafts, charms, etc., by which the power and knowledge peculiar to God were attributed to the devil, to the great reproach both of God's counsels and of his providence, Deu 18:10, Deu 18:11. one would wonder that such arts and works of darkness, so senseless and absurd, so impious and profane, could be found in a country where divine revelation shone so clearly; yet we find remains of them even where Christ's holy religion is known and professed; such are the powers and policies of the rulers of the darkness of this world. But let those give heed to fortune-tellers, or go to wizards for the discovery of things secret, that use spells for the cure of diseases, are in any league or acquaintance with familiar spirits, or form a confederacy with those that are - let them know that they can have no fellowship with God while thus they have fellowship with devils. It is amazing to think that there should by any pretenders of this kind in such a land and day of light as we live in.
II.Some reasons are given against their conformity to the customs of the Gentiles.
1.Because it would make them abominable to God. The things themselves being hateful to him, those that do them are an abomination; and miserable is that creature that has become odious to its Creator, Deu 18:12. See the malignity and mischievousness of sin; that must needs be an evil thing indeed which provokes the God of mercy to detest the work of his own hands.
2.Because these abominable practices had been the ruin of the Canaanites, of which ruin they were not only the witnesses but the instruments. It would be the most inexcusable folly, as well as the most unpardonable impiety, for them to practise themselves those very things for which they had been employed so severely to chastise others. Did the land spue out the abominations of the Canaanites, and shall Israel lick up the vomit?
3.Because they were better taught, Deu 18:13, Deu 18:14. It is an argument like that of the apostle against Christians walking as the Gentiles walked (Eph 4:17, Eph 4:18, Eph 4:20): You have not so learned Christ. "It is true these nations, whom God gave up to their own hearts' lusts, and suffered to walk in their own ways (Act 14:16), did thus corrupt themselves; but thou art not thus abandoned by the grace of God: the Lord thy God had not suffered thee to do so; thou art instructed in divine things, and hast fair warning given thee of the evil of those practices; and therefore, whatever others do, it is expected that thou shouldest be perfect with the Lord thy God," that is, "that thou shouldest give divine honours to him, to him only, and to no other, and not mix any of the superstitious customs of the heathen with his institutions." One of the Chaldee paraphrasts here takes notice of God's furnishing them with the oracle of urim and thummim, as a preservative from all unlawful arts of divination. Those were fools indeed who would go to consult the father of lies when they had such a ready way of consulting the God of truth.
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Summary
Deuteronomy 18:11 stands as a crucial prohibition within Moses' final address to Israel, unequivocally condemning various forms of divination and occult practices. This verse specifically targets charmers, consulters with familiar spirits, wizards, and necromancers, underscoring God's absolute rejection of any attempt to gain knowledge, power, or guidance through means other than His divine revelation. It serves as a foundational declaration safeguarding Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, emphasizing their call to holiness, purity, and complete reliance on Him as the sole legitimate source of truth and direction, in stark contrast to the abominable practices of the surrounding Canaanite nations.
Context
Literary Context
Deuteronomy 18:11 is strategically placed within a broader legislative section (Deuteronomy 18:9-14) that warns Israel against adopting the "abominations" of the nations they are about to dispossess. Moses, acting as God's appointed mediator, delivers these laws, explicitly stating, "When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations" (Deuteronomy 18:9). This passage immediately follows detailed instructions regarding the legitimate roles and provisions for the Levitical priests and prophets, thereby creating a sharp contrast between God's ordained channels of revelation and the forbidden, deceptive practices of paganism. The climax of this section is the profound promise of a future prophet, "like me" (Deuteronomy 18:15), whom God will raise up to speak His true words, establishing the definitive, authentic source of divine guidance for Israel. This structural arrangement powerfully distinguishes divine truth from human deception.
Historical & Cultural Context
The prohibitions in Deuteronomy 18:11 directly confront the pervasive religious and magical landscape of the ancient Near East, particularly among the Canaanite peoples. These cultures were deeply immersed in various forms of divination, sorcery, and communication with the dead, believing they could manipulate divine forces, predict the future, or gain secret knowledge to influence their lives. Such practices were integral to Canaanite religious worship, often involving ritualistic acts, appeals to their pantheon of deities, and attempts to coerce spirits. For Israel, adopting these practices would not only constitute idolatry and a breach of their covenant with Yahweh but also erode their distinct identity as a people set apart for the one true God, who alone is sovereign and omniscient. The severity of these prohibitions underscores God's desire for His people to remain pure and wholly devoted, untainted by the defiling influences of their pagan neighbors, as repeatedly emphasized throughout the Pentateuch, for instance, in Leviticus 18:24-30.
Key Themes
This verse significantly contributes to several overarching theological themes central to Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Primarily, it reinforces the theme of Divine Authority and Exclusive Worship, asserting that Yahweh alone is the legitimate and supreme source of all truth, power, and guidance. Any attempt to seek knowledge or influence outside of His revealed will is a direct affront to His sovereignty. This underpins Israel's call to Holiness and Separation, urging them to be "blameless before the LORD your God" (Deuteronomy 18:13), which necessitates complete reliance on Him and avoidance of anything that defiles their relationship or compromises their covenant fidelity. Furthermore, it highlights the critical theme of True vs. False Revelation, setting a clear boundary between God's authentic, life-giving word delivered through His chosen prophets and the deceptive, destructive practices of occultism. The promise of a true prophet in Deuteronomy 18:15 serves as the divine antidote to the forbidden practices listed here.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From the primitive root H2266, meaning "to join (literally or figuratively); specifically (by means of spells) to fascinate." This term refers to one who practices enchantment or spell-casting, often through incantations or binding rituals. It implies an attempt to manipulate or coerce spiritual forces or even people through ritualistic words or actions, suggesting a belief in a power external to God that can be controlled or influenced by human means, directly contradicting God's absolute sovereignty.
From H178, defined as "a mumble...a necromancer (ventriloquist, as from a jar); bottle, familiar spirit." This denotes a medium who claims to be possessed by or to communicate with a spirit, often speaking in a low, muffled voice, as if from the grave. The "familiar spirit" is a known or intimate spirit acting as an intermediary. This practice is a profound affront to God, who alone holds the keys to life and death, and forbids attempts to bypass His authority by seeking counsel from the deceased or deceptive spirits.
From H3049, meaning "a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost." This term refers to someone who claims to possess secret knowledge or insight, often through occult means such as divination, clairvoyance, or spirit communication. This prohibition targets those who claim special, hidden wisdom outside of God's revealed truth, implying a reliance on illicit sources for understanding.
From H1875, a primitive root meaning "to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship; [idiom] at all, care for, [idiom] diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-) mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), [idiom] surely." When combined with "of the dead" (as in the full phrase dōrēš 'el hammētîm), it specifically describes the practice of attempting to evoke or communicate with deceased individuals for the purpose of gaining information, guidance, or prophecies. This is a severe transgression against God's command, as it presumes to invade the realm of the dead, which is under God's exclusive dominion, and seeks knowledge from sources explicitly forbidden by Him.
Verse Breakdown
"Or a charmer"
This clause condemns individuals who practice magic through incantations, spells, or charms, attempting to influence events or people through occult means. It signifies a reliance on manipulative spiritual practices rather than trust in God's providential care and sovereign will.
"or a consulter with familiar spirits"
This identifies a medium who claims to have a spirit (an 'ōḇ) that enables communication with the dead. Such individuals acted as conduits for supposed messages from the deceased, a practice strictly condemned as an abomination because it seeks truth from forbidden, deceptive sources.
"or a wizard"
This phrase refers to someone who claims to possess secret knowledge or insight, often through occult means like divination or clairvoyance. The prohibition targets those who claim special, hidden wisdom outside of God's revealed truth, relying on illicit sources for understanding.
"or a necromancer"
This final term, literally "one who inquires of the dead," explicitly condemns the act of seeking to evoke or communicate with deceased individuals. It is the most direct reference to the practice of summoning spirits of the deceased, a profound violation of God's order and a dangerous dabbling in spiritual realms under His exclusive authority.
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 18:11 employs a powerful Enumeration or List of specific, forbidden practices. This comprehensive cataloging of various forms of occultism prevalent in the ancient Near East serves to emphasize the breadth and depth of activities God condemns, leaving no ambiguity about what is unacceptable. The cumulative effect of this detailed list, alongside the preceding and succeeding verses, creates a strong sense of Contrast between the purity, singular devotion, and direct relationship demanded by Yahweh and the defiling, idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations. The use of such a thorough list underscores the seriousness of these transgressions, implicitly highlighting the Sovereignty of God as the sole legitimate source of divine revelation, power, and wisdom, and reinforcing the call for Israel's complete reliance on Him.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Deuteronomy 18:11 profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to His unique covenant relationship with Israel, demanding exclusive devotion and trust. The theological underpinning of this prohibition is God's absolute sovereignty and His nature as the sole source of all true knowledge, wisdom, and power. To seek guidance or power from any other source—whether through divination, sorcery, or communication with the dead—is a direct affront to His authority, a form of spiritual adultery, and a dangerous venture into realms outside His divine order. It implies a lack of faith in His ability and willingness to guide His people, and it opens the door to deceptive spiritual influences that can lead to moral and spiritual corruption. This passage thus serves as a foundational text for understanding God's rejection of all forms of occultism, emphasizing that His people are to rely solely on Him and His revealed word, trusting in His perfect plan and provision.
Reflection and Application
Deuteronomy 18:11, while rooted in ancient prohibitions, carries profound and timeless relevance for believers today. It calls us to a radical commitment to seeking God alone for wisdom, guidance, and truth in every area of our lives. In a world saturated with competing voices and alternative spiritualities, this verse stands as a stark warning against any practice or philosophy that seeks knowledge, power, or control outside of God's revealed will in Scripture and the leading of His Holy Spirit. This includes not only explicit occult practices like fortune-telling, astrology, or séances, but also more subtle forms of seeking truth in human philosophies, self-help gurus, or spiritual fads that contradict biblical principles. Our reliance on God must be total, trusting in His sovereignty, His provision, and His perfect plan, rather than attempting to manipulate circumstances or gain insight through forbidden means. True spiritual maturity involves resting in God's perfect knowledge and submitting to His divine authority, knowing that He desires to communicate with us directly through His Word and prayer, and through the wise counsel of His Spirit-filled community.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are these specific practices so strictly forbidden by God?
These practices are strictly forbidden because they represent a fundamental rejection of God's unique authority and sovereignty. They are attempts to bypass God and gain knowledge, power, or influence from alternative, often deceptive, spiritual sources. Engaging in such activities implies a lack of trust in God's ability and willingness to guide His people, and it opens individuals to spiritual deception and bondage. Furthermore, these practices were deeply intertwined with the idolatrous worship of the Canaanite nations, making them an "abomination to the LORD" (Deuteronomy 18:12) that threatened Israel's covenant purity and distinctiveness. God desires a direct, unmediated relationship with His people, where He alone is the source of truth and life, as promised through the coming prophet "like me" (Deuteronomy 18:15).
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Deuteronomy 18:11, with its stern prohibitions against false spiritual mediators and deceptive practices, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The passage immediately following these prohibitions promises a prophet "like unto me" (Deuteronomy 18:15) whom Israel must obey—a promise that the New Testament unequivocally identifies as fulfilled in Jesus. While the charmer, wizard, and necromancer offer false or deceptive access to spiritual power and knowledge, Jesus is the true and ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King, the sole mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). He is the embodiment of God's perfect revelation, speaking only the words of the Father (John 12:49-50). Unlike the occult practices that rely on manipulation or hidden knowledge, Jesus offers open, accessible truth and life through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection (John 14:6). In Him, believers find all the wisdom and guidance they need (Colossians 2:3), eliminating any need to turn to the forbidden, empty sources condemned in Deuteronomy 18:11. He is the ultimate authority, and through His Holy Spirit, He continues to guide and reveal truth to His followers, establishing a relationship built on trust and genuine communion, not on fear or manipulation.