Necromancy(spiritualism)
Summary
Necromancy was the forbidden practice of consulting the dead for information, strictly prohibited in the Mosaic law.
☩Definition and Prohibition
Necromancy is the practice of attempting to communicate with the spirits of the dead to gain knowledge of the future or other hidden information. The Mosaic law explicitly forbade this practice, commanding that no one should consult a medium or spiritist or seek to contact the dead. Those who practiced such arts were to be put to death.
☩The Witch of Endor
The most notable biblical example involving a medium is Saul's consultation with the witch of Endor, through whom the spirit of Samuel appeared. Even though Saul himself had earlier expelled mediums and spiritists from Israel, in his desperation he sought one out, and this was among the sins for which he died.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Necromancy," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VI (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).