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

DEUTERONOMY 18:11KJV
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Deuteronomy 18:11 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 18:11 mean?

Deuteronomy 18:11 lists several forbidden practices for the Israelites, specifically naming people who use charms, consult with spirits, practice wizardry, or attempt to communicate with the dead. The verse warns against seeking supernatural knowledge or power from sources other than God.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan, instructing them to avoid the occult practices common among the surrounding nations. The verse is part of a larger section where Moses explains what kinds of spiritual leaders and practices are acceptable, emphasizing that God alone should be trusted for guidance.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 18:11

  • charmer (חָבֵר, ḥāvēr): This word refers to someone who uses spells or charms, often by binding or joining things together through incantations. The idea is not just simple magic tricks, but attempts to control outcomes or people through spoken formulas.
  • consulter (שָׁאַל, shāʾal) with spirits (אוֹב, ʾōv): "Consulter" means to seek or inquire, and "spirits" here refers to a kind of medium or person who claims to communicate with the dead or with supernatural beings. This highlights the practice of seeking hidden knowledge from sources other than God.
  • wizard (יִדְּעֹנִי, yiddeʿōnī): This term describes someone believed to have special knowledge or powers, often through occult means. It points to those who claim secret wisdom or magical abilities.
  • necromancer (דָּרַשׁ, dāraš) with (מוּת, mût): "Necromancer" combines the idea of seeking or inquiring (dāraš) with the dead (mût), meaning someone who tries to contact or gain information from the dead. This practice was seen as especially dangerous and deceptive.

Why Deuteronomy 18:11 matters

  • Deuteronomy 18:11 clarifies that God’s people are to avoid all forms of occultism, not just idol worship, but also practices that seek hidden knowledge or power apart from God.
  • The verse helps explain why Israel was to be different from other nations, setting boundaries that protected them from spiritual deception and confusion.
  • In the wider passage, this list prepares for the later promise of a true prophet from God, showing that Israel should look to God’s appointed messengers, not to forbidden spiritual practices.

Where else these words appear

“charmer” Hebrew H2267 · used in 7 verses

  • Psalms 58:5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
  • Proverbs 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
  • Isaiah 47:12 Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.

“wizard” Hebrew H3049 · used in 11 verses

  • Leviticus 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
  • 1 Samuel 28:3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
  • 2 Kings 23:24 Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.

“spirits” Hebrew H178 · used in 16 verses

  • Leviticus 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
  • 1 Samuel 28:8 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.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

“charmer” Hebrew H2266 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 14:3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
  • Exodus 36:16 And he coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves.
  • Psalms 94:20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?