Definition and Etymology
Necromancers are individuals who claim to communicate with the dead, often to predict future events or gain hidden knowledge. The term "necromancy" is derived from the Greek words "nekros," meaning "dead body," and "manteia," meaning "divination." In biblical contexts, necromancy is considered a form of witchcraft and is strictly prohibited.

Biblical References
The practice of necromancy is explicitly condemned in the Bible. In the Old Testament, God commands the Israelites to avoid such practices, associating them with pagan nations. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 states: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you."

Leviticus 19:31 further instructs: "You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." This passage underscores the belief that engaging with necromancers defiles a person, separating them from God.

Historical Context
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, necromancy was a common practice among pagan religions. It was believed that the dead possessed special knowledge and could provide guidance to the living. The Israelites, however, were called to be distinct from these practices, as they were to rely solely on God for guidance and revelation.

The Case of Saul and the Medium of Endor
One of the most notable biblical accounts involving necromancy is found in 1 Samuel 28. King Saul, desperate for guidance before a battle with the Philistines, seeks out a medium in Endor to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. Despite having previously expelled mediums and spiritists from the land, Saul's fear and desperation lead him to violate God's commandments. The medium successfully conjures Samuel's spirit, who rebukes Saul for his disobedience and foretells his impending defeat and death. This narrative illustrates the futility and danger of seeking guidance through necromancy, as it ultimately leads to Saul's downfall.

Theological Implications
From a theological perspective, necromancy is seen as a direct challenge to God's sovereignty and authority. By attempting to communicate with the dead, individuals bypass God's established means of revelation and guidance, such as prayer, Scripture, and the prophetic word. Necromancy is viewed as an act of rebellion, aligning oneself with spiritual forces opposed to God.

Moral and Ethical Considerations
The Bible's prohibition against necromancy is rooted in the belief that it opens individuals to spiritual deception and bondage. Engaging in such practices is seen as a rejection of God's provision and protection. The moral imperative is to trust in God's wisdom and timing, rather than seeking forbidden knowledge through illicit means.

Contemporary Relevance
While modern expressions of necromancy may differ from ancient practices, the underlying issues remain relevant. Practices such as séances, Ouija boards, and other forms of spirit communication are often viewed as modern equivalents of necromancy. Christians are encouraged to avoid these practices and to seek spiritual guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the counsel of mature believers.

Whether Heavenly Bodies Can Act on the Demons?
... Therefore the demons are subject to them. Objection 2: Further, necromancers
observe certain constellations in order to invoke the demons. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether heavenly bodies can act.htm

George Buchanan, Scholar
... fear the monk and priest, at least feared the "scholar," who held, so the vulgar
believed, the keys of that magic lore by which the old necromancers had built ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/george buchanan scholar.htm

The Death of Saint James.
... Saint James, as long as his arm could wield a lance, continued his heroic combats
with pagans and infidels of all sorts, magicians and necromancers, giants and ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter eighteen the death of.htm

Search the Scriptures
... spirits, unto wizards that did peep and mutter; yea, they sought for things concerning
the living, amongst the dead, and became the dupes of necromancers. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/search the scriptures.htm

Now Saul Upon God's not Answering Him Concerning the Fight with ...
... 2. Now Saul, the king of the Hebrews, had cast out of the country the fortune-tellers,
and the necromancers, and all such as exercised the like arts, excepting ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 now saul upon.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Adjure the Demons?
... Reply to Objection 2: Necromancers adjure and invoke the demons in order to obtain
or learn something from them: and this is unlawful, as stated above. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 21.htm

Introduction
... He does not disdain to take a hint from the wizards and necromancers on the right
way to treat the devil; he draws his illustrations of divine mercy from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/introduction.htm

How Great are the Benefits Conferred on Man through the Advent of ...
... Then, those who have put faith in necromancers, receive from them amulets and charms,
to ward off evil forsooth; and will you not allow the heavenly Word, the ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter xi how great are the.htm

The Adventures of Saint David of Wales.
... tears, and replied: "My long-loved honoured Master, if there were ten thousand forests,
and if in each thrice ten thousand ill-doing necromancers lived, and if ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter ten the adventures of.htm

The Powers of Darkness
... necessary expenses. Illness became so prevalent that necromancers were
called in and agreed that a medium must be employed. The ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xii the powers of.htm

Necromancers (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Necromancers (8 Occurrences). ... And Saul had put away
the necromancers and the soothsayers out of the land.) (DBY). ...
/n/necromancers.htm - 9k

Soothsayers (16 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:31 Turn not unto necromancers and unto soothsayers; seek not after
them to make yourselves unclean: I am Jehovah your God. (DBY). ...
/s/soothsayers.htm - 12k

Devils (48 Occurrences)
... Even in the passages mentioned above which refer to necromancers and wizards, while,
as we shall see, the words indicate that such practitioners professed to ...
/d/devils.htm - 31k

Demons (54 Occurrences)
... Even in the passages mentioned above which refer to necromancers and wizards, while,
as we shall see, the words indicate that such practitioners professed to ...
/d/demons.htm - 34k

Communion (8 Occurrences)
... Even in the passages mentioned above which refer to necromancers and wizards, while,
as we shall see, the words indicate that such practitioners professed to ...
/c/communion.htm - 30k

With (66342 Occurrences)
... Even in the passages mentioned above which refer to necromancers and wizards, while,
as we shall see, the words indicate that such practitioners professed to ...
/w/with.htm - 20k

Divination (25 Occurrences)
... Of false prophets (Deuteronomy 18:10, 14; Micah 3:6, 7, 11), of necromancers (1
Samuel 28:8), of the Philistine priests and diviners (1 Samuel 6:2), of Balaam ...
/d/divination.htm - 45k

Necromancer (1 Occurrence)

/n/necromancer.htm - 7k

Necromancy

/n/necromancy.htm - 6k

Mutter (6 Occurrences)
... rendered, "Your lips have spoken lies, your tongue uttereth wickedness." In Isaiah
8:19 haghah describes the tone of voice used by the necromancers in uttering ...
/m/mutter.htm - 9k

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