Deuteronomy 18:10-12 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Magic. I. A STERN PROHIBITION OF CANAANITISH PRACTICES . The practice of magic is known to have been extensively developed in ancient Egypt and Chaldea. Numerous indications occur of its existence among the Canaanites ( e . g . 1 Samuel 28:7-10 ). The lower kinds of magic are of rank growth in all barbarous and semi-civilized communities. The priests combine the functions of diviners, prophets, exorcists, thaumaturgists, physicians, and makers of idols and amulets. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Gross superstition the alternative of true religion. The popular superstitions of every age are very seductive. Our only safeguard against them is complete loyalty to the living God. The indwelling Spirit is a Guide and a Defense. I. MAN GENERICALLY CRAVES TO UNRAVEL THE FUTURE . In every sane mind the inquiry arises, "What is beyond phenomena? What is to happen tomorrow?" The present enjoyment may satisfy animals; it does not satisfy man. He has a faculty that lives in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-22

Moses was not only the leader and ruler of the people, he was also the medium through which God communicated with the people, gave them his laws, and conveyed to them his word and will. In this respect his place could be supplied neither by priest nor by king. In the prospect of his demise, therefore, there required to be instituted another office, that of a prophet, one who should be between God and the people, as the channel through which Divine communications might pass to them. This office... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:10-11

Maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire (see note on Deuteronomy 12:31 ). That useth divination (cf. Ezekiel 21:21 , where the different methods of divination are enumerated). An observer of times. This is according to the Targum, observans horns ; the LXX . have κληδονιζόμενος , "one who augurs what is to happen;" Vulgate, qui observat somnia atque auguria . The word ( מְעוֹנֵן ) is part of a verb which signifies to cover, to use covert arts, to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:12

All who practiced such arts were an abomination unto the Lord , and his people are forbidden to have anything to do with them. They are connected here with the Moloch-worship, because of the intimate relation between idolatry and the use of magical arts; and Moloch-worship is specially mentioned, probably because it was the form of idolatry with which the Israelites were most likely to come in contact, both where they then were and also in Canaan; not, as Keil suggests, because that form... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 18:10

To pass through the fire - i. e., to Moloch; compare the Leviticus 20:2 note.That useth divination - Compare Numbers 23:23 note.Observer of times ... enchanter - Compare Leviticus 19:26 note.Witch - Rather “sorcerer,” compare the Exodus 7:11 note. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 18:11

A charmer - i. e., one who fascinates and subdues noxious animals or men, such as the famous serpent-charmers of the East Psalms 58:4-5.A consulter with familiar spirits ... a wizard - Compare Leviticus 19:31 note.Recromancer - literally, “one who interrogates the dead.” The purpose of the text is obviously to group together all the known words belonging to the practices in question. Compare 2 Chronicles 33:6. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 18:10

Deuteronomy 18:10. That maketh his son or daughter pass through the fire By a superstitious dedicating, or a cruel sacrificing of them, see on Leviticus 18:21. That useth divination Of which there were many sorts, as is implied in the original expressions here: קסם קסמים , kosem kesamim, divining divinations, or with divinations. The meaning undoubtedly is, That seeketh to know or foretel things secret, or to come, by unlawful arts and practices. An observer of times Superstitiously... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 18:11

Deuteronomy 18:11. Or a charmer One that charmeth serpents or other creatures. Or rather, as the Hebrew חבר חבר , chober chaber, seems to mean, an astrologer, or such as, by the conjunction of the planets, pretended to foretel the events of men’s lives, or other future things. It must be observed that the eastern people were much addicted to divination of all kinds, and undertook no enterprise of importance without consulting their soothsayers; and therefore Moses uses these sundry... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:1-22

Spiritual guides, good and bad (18:1-22)Further information is given concerning the support of priests (18:1-5; see notes on Numbers 18:8-20). If a Levite from the country sold his local possessions to move to the central place of worship, he could retain the money from the sale of his goods and still be financially supported by the people, the same as other Levites (6-8; see notes on Numbers 18:21-32).Israel’s law prohibited all forms of witchcraft and magic, whether cruel practices in which... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:10-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 18:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 18:11

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 18:10

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 18:11

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:1-22

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