BibleFacts

Biblical Occultism

On Bible Studies

In studying the supernatural practices in the bible, some were forbidden and others encouraged, and some were either encouraged or forbidden depending on the situation. Seeing this I wanted to create a list of practices and events that would seem to be ungodly by today's standards.

Joseph's divining cup Gen. 44:4,5,14
his cup was sliver with onyx stones attached and made out of bdellium Jasher 53:11
Joseph used it with a map of the stars to devine. Benjamin also used Joseph's cup to divine using the Hebrew method. Jasher 54:18-20

Urim and Thummin
Were sardonyx stones on the shoulders of the breastplate used to divine.  Josephus Ant.3.8.9; 1 Sam. 28:6

Samuel's ghost
Saul uses a medium to contact Samuel. 1 Sam. 28
Samuel told the medium who Saul was. She was very godly and virtuous, and her name was Sedecla the Midianite according to Josephus ant.6.14.2. 
Samuel prophecies "Agag's son will be a stumbling block to you" the next day in battle Edabus kills Saul. See Philo 58:1
When the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) wanted to send Lazarus to his brothers Abraham refused saying they would not believe a ghost.

Baalam's trances
He went into trances with his eyes open. Sometimes its called sorcery but sometimes it was not and God blessed it. Num. 23-24
Successfully uses a form of water divination referred to as witchcraft. Jasher 61:8-10
The LORD confuses his divination. Jasher 64:26-29
He is called a magician and interprets dreams correctly. Jasher 70:5
He is called a Magician and artificer. (serpents) Jasher 79:39

Wise men
The Magi (Persian Astrologers) (Magi is were the English word Magic comes from) in Mt. 2:1 successfully used their kind of astrology to find the messiah.

Dreams
Daniel was 10 times better that the pagan prophets (1:20) and so was made the head of the magicians in Babylon (5:11).
& the same thing happened to Joseph because he correctly interpreted the Pharaoh's dream.

Abraham
Uses stars to divine. Josephus ant. 1:7:2 & 1:8

Forbidden practices
Deuteronomy 18:9-11 thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found with thee any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one that useth divination, one that practiseth augury, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, 11 or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. ASV
Simon the sorcerer Acts 8:6-24

KJV - Deut. 18:10 Hebrew Strongs Definition:
useth divination קסם 7081 determine by lot or magical scroll; soothsayer
1 Sam 15:23, Prov 16:10, Ezek 21:21
Observer of times (Augury ASV) מעונן 6049 Cloud reader
Enchanter מנחש 5172 Whisperer, prognosticate,
Witch (Sorcerer ASV) כשף 3784 to whisper a spell, i.e. to enchant or practice magic
Charmer חבר 2267  
Consulter with a familiar spirit אוב 178 a Medium
1 Sam 28,
Wizard ידעני 3049 a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost
Necromancer     inquirer of the dead
       
KJV - Dan. - 5:7 Hebrew Strongs Definition:
Magician   2749 a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles):--magician
Soothsayer   1505 Soothsayer
Astrologer   826 Astrologer
       
KJV - Gal. 5: Greek Strongs Definition:
Sorcery   5331 Drugs, Sorcery
Magus (Simon & Wisemen)   3096  
Acts 8:10, Mat. 2:1


In the Bible we have prophets also called seers (1 Sam. 9:9) who are able to divine the future. We also have prophets of other religions called soothsayers. Sacrificing to other gods was forbidden but sacrificing to God was encouraged. Both types of prophets sacrificed in the high places (1 Sam. 9:12)
In Hebrew the words Baal and Adonai are used interchangeably for God until the worship of the Canaanite God became popular then Adonai was used exclusively for God and Baal for the Canaanite God. Any time the prophets of Israel adopted some of the pagan ways they were condemned as false prophets (Isaiah 2:6).

Sorcery is defined as using the names of gods or demons to make lesser beings obey you. Also called manipulation.
A medium (one who has a familiar spirit) is defined as one who …

The following Scriptures refer to occultic practices used in Idol worship:
Lev. 19:31,20:6,20:27, 1 Sam.15:23, 2 Chron. 33:6; Acts 13:6-12,19:19 also: the girl with the spirit of python in Acts.

 


www.biblefacts.org Date: 7-1996