Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

LEVITICUS 19:31KJV
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Leviticus 19:31 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 19:31 mean?

Leviticus 19:31 warns the Israelites not to turn to people who claim to have contact with spirits or to seek out wizards, because doing so would make them unclean. The verse ends with a reminder that the LORD is their God, highlighting that their loyalty and trust should be in Him alone.

In this verse, God is speaking to the people of Israel through Moses, giving instructions about how they should live as His chosen people. The command specifically addresses practices common in surrounding cultures, where people would consult mediums or those claiming supernatural knowledge. The focus is on keeping the community spiritually pure and distinct from other nations.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 19:31

  • "Regard" (פָּנָה, panah): This word means to turn toward or pay attention to. Here, it emphasizes an active choice to seek out or give attention to forbidden practices.
  • "Spirits" (אוֹב, 'ov): This term refers to people who claim to communicate with the dead or spirits, often translated as "mediums." The word highlights the specific type of forbidden spiritual activity.
  • "Seek" (בָּקַשׁ, baqash): This word means to search out or inquire after. It points to a deliberate effort to pursue guidance from sources outside of God.
  • "Wizards" (יִדְּעֹנִי, yidde‘oni): This term refers to people believed to possess secret knowledge or magical powers, often associated with divination.
  • "Defiled" (טָמֵא, tame): This word means to become unclean or impure, especially in a ritual or spiritual sense. It shows that such practices were seen as contaminating the person’s relationship with God.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God, used here to remind the people of their unique covenant relationship.
  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This word for God underlines His authority and power, contrasting Him with the powerless spirits and wizards.

Why Leviticus 19:31 matters

  • Leviticus 19:31 clarifies that seeking supernatural guidance outside of God was not just discouraged but seen as spiritually contaminating, which helps explain the seriousness of the command.
  • The verse shows that God wanted Israel to be different from other nations, who often relied on mediums and wizards for guidance, emphasizing Israel’s unique relationship with the LORD.
  • This command fits into a larger section of Leviticus focused on holiness and distinct living, helping readers see how everyday choices were tied to faithfulness to God.

Where else these words appear

“wizards” Hebrew H3049 · used in 11 verses

  • Leviticus 20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
  • 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 20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
  • 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.

“Regard” Hebrew H6437 · used in 128 verses

  • Genesis 18:22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
  • Judges 18:21 So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them.
  • Psalms 119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

“defiled” Hebrew H2930 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 34:5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.
  • Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
  • Deuteronomy 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day;(for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.