Deuteronomy 18:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-14

One would not think there had been so much need as it seems there was to arm the people of Israel against the infection of the idolatrous customs of the Canaanites. Was it possible that a people so blessed with divine institutions should ever admit the brutish and barbarous inventions of men and devils? Were they in any danger of making those their tutors and directors in religion whom God had made their captives and tributaries? It seems they were in danger, and therefore, after many similar... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:11

Or a charmer ,.... That pretends to cure diseases by charms, or a charmer of serpents; according to Jarchi, one that gathers together serpents and scorpions, and other animals, into one place; with which agree the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem,"which bind serpents and scorpions, and all kind of creeping things;'but, according to Aben Ezra, one that says certain words to gather demons together: or a consulter with familiar spirits ; or the inquirer of "Ob", or the bottle, which the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 18:11

A charmer - חבר חבר chober chaber , one who uses spells; a peculiar conjunction, as the term implies, of words, or things, tying knots, etc., for the purposes of divination. This was a custom among the heathen, as we learn from the following verses: - Necte Tribus Nodis ternos, Amarylli, colores: Necte, Amarylli, modo; et Veneris, dic, vincula necto read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Spiritualism condemned. In the verses forming this paragraph, there are nine terms or phrases, each with its own special meaning, £ pointing to some pagan superstition, against which Moses is warning the people. The variety and number of such terms show us how great a bold a spurious "spiritualism" had upon the people. The phenomena connected therewith, however, present to us an aspect of history that is worthy of careful study. In some sort, the pagan customs of olden times connected... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Divination forbidden. The process of divination, in its different forms here referred to—"divination," "observing the heavenly bodies," "enchantment," "witchcraft," "charming," "consultation of spirits," "sorcery," and "necromancy" was an effort to discover secrets by unwarrantable methods. It was man's longing for revelation undergoing degradation through the imaginations of men. It had been practiced by the predecessors in Canaan, and in consequence they were being cast out. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

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