Deuteronomy 18:11or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
The setting
Same moment as verse 10. Moses continues listing specific occult practices the Israelites will encounter in Canaan, including necromancy — attempting to communicate with the dead...
The emotion here: urgent warning, having witnessed God's judgment on Egypt's magicians
The original word
dōrēsh (דֹּרֵשׁ) — one who seeks or inquires, specifically seeking knowledge from forbidden spiritual sources
Why it matters
Canaanite temples employed professional necromancers who claimed to channel dead spirits for guidance and predictions
Read with care
What most readers miss in Deuteronomy 18:11
The word 'familiar spirit' doesn't mean friendly — it means a spirit that becomes familiar with and mimics a deceased person
Common misconceptionMany think 'familiar spirits' are helpful guides, but the Bible teaches these are demons impersonating the dead to deceive people seeking comfort in grief.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Deuteronomy 18:11
Bible Genome reading
Deuteronomy 18:11 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Deuteronomy 18:11 comes from the book of Deuteronomy, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Moses. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include occultism, spiritual deception. Notable phrases: charmer; familiar spirit; necromancer. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Deuteronomy 18:11 mean to you, today?
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