SPECIAL TOPIC: DIVINATION

1. This Hebrew VERB (BDB 890, KB 1115-1116, Qal) means "to divide." This dividing of "things" was for the purpose of knowing and controlling future events (KB 1115).
    There are several summary texts that list the differnt ways information about the future was obtained.
   1. approved means ‒ 1 Sam. 28:6
      1. dreams (i.e., Abraham, Jacob, Joseph; see SPECIAL TOPIC: WAYS OF REVELATION)
      2. Urim and Thummim (i.e., High Priest breastplate pouch; see SPECIAL TOPIC: URIM AND THUMMIM)
      3. prophets ( SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY [OT] and SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY [NT])
   2. unapproved means ‒ Deut. 18:10-11; 2 Kgs. 17:16-17; 2 Chr. 33:6; Jer. 27:9; Ezek. 13:23; 21:21
      1. worship of idols
      2. divination
      3. witchcraft
      4. interpret omens
      5. sorcery
      6. casting spells
      7. mediums
      8. spiritists
      9. necromancy
      10. astrology
   
   
2. It may be helpful to list some of the physical means used to determine the future.
   1. using a cup (i.e., Gen. 44:5,15)
   2. casting lots
   3. consulting idols (i.e., their priests or priestesses)
   4. examining the internal organs of sacrificial animals (esp. sheep livers, cf. Ezek. 21:21)
   5. using witches/mediums to talk to the dead (i.e., 1 Samuel 28)
   6. cloud reading
   7. interpreting the flight of birds
   8. the use of liquids, called hydromancy (partial list from Jerusalem Bible, p. 67)
      1. the way water fell into the a special cup
      2. the sound of the water falling into the special cup
      3. the pattern of oil drops into water (locanomancy)
      4. pieces of gold, silver, or precious stones dropped into a container (cf. S. R. Driver)
   9. shooting or dropping arrows (cf. Ezek. 21:21)
      

      For more information see James M. Freeman, Manners and Customs of the Bible, pp. 52-54.

3. Divination is a worldview based on
   1. there is more to reality than the physical realm
   2. spiritual beings ( SPECIAL TOPIC: ANGELS AND DEMONS) active in the world who can affect persons and events
   3. these future events can be known and changed for personal interest by special people
      1. diviners ‒ Lev. 19:26; Deut. 18:10; 1 Sam. 6:2; 2 Chr. 33:6; Jer. 27:9; Ezek. 13:23
      2. soothsayers ‒ Lev. 19:26; Jer. 17:9
      3. mediums ‒ Lev. 19:31; 20:6,27; Deut. 18:10; 2 Chr. 33:6; Isa. 19:3
      4. spiritists ‒ Lev. 19:31; 20:6,27; Deut. 18:10; Isa. 19:3
      5. priests of Molech (i.e., "pass through the fire") ‒ Deut. 18:10; 1 Sam. 6:2; 2 Chr. 33:6
      6. witches ‒ Deut. 18:10; 2 Chr. 33:6
      7. interpreters of omens ‒ Deut. 18:10
      8. sorcerers ‒ Deut. 18:10; Jer. 27:9; Dan. 2:2
      9. one who casts spells ‒ Deut. 18:10
      10. necromancer ‒ Deut. 18:11; Isa. 19:3; Dan. 2:2
      11. false prophets ‒ Jer. 14:13-16; 27:9; 29:8; Ezek. 13:6,9,23; 22:28
      12. magicians ‒ Dan. 2:2 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CHALDEANS)

   The problem with mankind's attempt to know and affect the future is that it leaves out YHWH! He is the only true God ( SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM). He is the creator and controller of time, space, and history. Humans need to seek Him, trust Him!!!

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