A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

LEVITICUS 20:27KJV
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Leviticus 20:27 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 20:27 mean?

Leviticus 20:27 commands that any man or woman in ancient Israel who acts as a medium (someone with a "familiar spirit") or a "wizard" (one who claims to practice magic) must be put to death by stoning, and that they are responsible for their own fate. This law is presented as a serious warning against seeking supernatural guidance outside of God.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, giving instructions for how the community should deal with people who practice forbidden spiritual activities. The verse uses strong language to show that these practices were considered a direct violation of Israel’s covenant with God. The command to stone such individuals shows the seriousness with which these actions were viewed in the context of ancient Israelite law.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 20:27

  • "man" (אִישׁ, ʾish) and "woman" (אִשָּׁה, ishah): The verse specifically includes both men and women, showing that the law applied equally regardless of gender.
  • "spirit" (אוֹב, ʾov): This word refers to a medium or someone who claims to communicate with the dead or spirits, highlighting the specific type of forbidden practice.
  • "wizard" (יִדְּעֹנִי, yidde‘oni): This term points to someone who claims special knowledge or magical powers, further clarifying the kinds of activities being condemned.
  • "stone" (רָגַם, ragam) and "stones" (אֶבֶן, ʾeven): The method of execution is specified as stoning, which was a communal act, emphasizing the community’s role in upholding the law.
  • "blood" (דָּם, dam): The phrase "their blood shall be upon them" means they bear the responsibility for their own death, underlining personal accountability.

Why Leviticus 20:27 matters

  • Leviticus 20:27 makes clear that seeking supernatural help outside of God was not just discouraged but treated as a capital offense, showing the seriousness of Israel’s commitment to exclusive worship of God.
  • The verse clarifies that both men and women could be guilty of these practices, which counters any idea that such laws only applied to one gender.
  • This law fits into a larger section of Leviticus that sets boundaries for the community’s spiritual life, aiming to keep Israel distinct from neighboring cultures that practiced divination and magic.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“stone” Hebrew H7275 · used in 15 verses

  • Leviticus 20:2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
  • Numbers 14:10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
  • 1 Kings 12:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

“spirit” 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.

“hath” Hebrew H3588 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Exodus 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
  • Joshua 2:24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.