casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead.
Parallel translations
- WEB or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
- KJV Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
- NKJV or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
- NASB or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who consults the dead.
- NLT or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Casting spells, consulting spirits, and seeking the dead are likewise forbidden. Attempting to contact the spirit world bypasses and dishonors God.
Overview
The prohibition continues with mediums, spiritists, and necromancers who claim to communicate with familiar spirits or the dead. These practices were not harmless but a turning away from God to spiritual forces opposed to Him. Believers are to bring their needs to the Lord, who alone holds life, death, and the future.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Lev 19:31You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
- 1 Sam 28:11–14“Whom shall I bring up for you?” the woman asked. “Bring up Samuel,” he replied.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 18:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.