Deuteronomy 18:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The prohibition extends to four more forbidden practices: charm-casting, spiritism, wizardry, and consulting the dead.
The Context of Deuteronomy 18:11
The full list of forbidden occult practices spans both verses.
What Does Deuteronomy 18:11 Mean?
A charmer cast spells or incantations; a consulter with familiar spirits contacted entities (demons or spirits) believed to serve the practitioner; a wizard wielded hidden knowledge; a necromancer communicated with the dead.
All eight practices in verses 10–11 shared a common aim: to access power or knowledge outside God's direct revelation. They represented competing sources of spiritual authority and claimed to unlock mysteries that only God could truly unveil.
Deuteronomy 18:11 in the Original Language
ov (אוֹב), 'familiar spirit' — a spirit believed to serve a practitioner; the word can also mean the medium or wizard who consulted such spirits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 18:11
What does Deuteronomy 18:11 mean?
The prohibition extends to four more forbidden practices: charm-casting, spiritism, wizardry, and consulting the dead.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 18:11?
The full list of forbidden occult practices spans both verses.