Deuteronomy 18:14 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 18:14 mean?

Deuteronomy 18:14 warns the Israelites not to follow the practices of the nations they are about to conquer, specifically the use of fortune-telling and divination. Instead, the LORD their God has not permitted them to act in these ways, setting them apart from other peoples.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. He points out that the nations currently living there rely on occult practices to guide them, but Israel is to be different because God Himself will guide them. This instruction is part of a larger section where Moses explains how Israel should relate to God and avoid the spiritual practices of surrounding peoples.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 18:14

• nations (גּוֹיִם, goyim): This word refers to the peoples or groups living in Canaan. The focus is on the distinct practices of these non-Israelite groups.
• hearkened (שָׁמַע, shama‘): Often means "to listen" or "to obey." Here, it emphasizes that these nations actively followed or paid attention to occult advisors.
• observers of times (עָנַן, ‘anan): This word is linked to those who try to predict the future or interpret omens, often through forbidden means.
• diviners (קָסַם, qasam): Refers to people who claim to reveal hidden knowledge or the future, usually through rituals or supernatural means.
• suffered (נָתַן, natan): Means "to allow" or "to permit." The verse stresses that God has not allowed Israel to engage in these practices, highlighting a deliberate boundary set by God.

Why Deuteronomy 18:14 matters

• Deuteronomy 18:14 clarifies that Israel’s distinctiveness comes from their direct relationship with God, not from using the same spiritual practices as other nations.
• This verse helps explain why later biblical laws are so strict about avoiding fortune-telling and divination—the issue is not just the act itself, but the source of guidance and authority.
• The verse sets up the following passages, where God promises to provide prophets for Israel, showing that God Himself will communicate with His people rather than leaving them to seek out forbidden sources.