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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 |