Deuteronomy 18:10-14

10 No one among you is to make his son or daughter pass through the fire,[a] [b] practice divination, tell fortunes, interpret omens, practice sorcery,
11 cast spells, consult a medium or a familiar spirit, or inquire of the dead.[c]
12 Everyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and the Lord your God is driving out the nations before you because of these detestable things.
13 You must be blameless before the Lord your God.
14 Though these nations you are about to drive out listen to fortune-tellers and diviners, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do this.

Deuteronomy 18:10-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 18

This chapter gives an account of the provision made for the priests and Levites, with the reason of it, De 18:1-5, of allowance of a country Levite to minister at Jerusalem, and take his portion with the rest, De 18:6-8, and of several persons of bad practices not to be suffered among the people of Israel, De 18:9-14, and of an extraordinary prophet that should be raised up among them, to whom they should hearken, or it would be the worse for them, De 18:15-19, but a false prophet was to be put to death, of whom a sign is given by which he might be known, De 18:20-22.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Either a Canaanite cult practice or child sacrifice
  • [b]. Lv 18:21
  • [c]. Lv 20:27; Isa 8:19
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.