Deuteronomy 18:9-12

Occult Practices

9 When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.

10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,

11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.

12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD; because of these same detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.

Deuteronomy 18:9-12 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.

Cross References

• 1. Deuteronomy 9:5; Deuteronomy 12:29-31
• 2. S Leviticus 18:3; 2 Kings 21:2; 2 Chronicles 28:3; 2 Chronicles 33:2; 2 Chronicles 34:33; Ezra 6:21; Ezra 9:11; Jeremiah 44:4
• 3. S Leviticus 18:21
• 4. Deuteronomy 12:31; 1 Samuel 15:23
• 5. S Exodus 7:11
• 6. S Leviticus 19:31
• 7. Isaiah 47:9
• 8. S Exodus 22:18; S 1 Samuel 28:13
• 9. S Leviticus 18:24; Deuteronomy 9:4