Necromancy is the practice of attempting to communicate with the spirits of the dead in order to gain information or power. This practice is expressly forbidden in the Bible. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about necromancy:
Old Testament Warnings Against Necromancy
The Old Testament warns against necromancy multiple times:
- Leviticus 19:31 states “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.” This verse forbids mediums and spiritists, which were practitioners of necromancy.
- Leviticus 20:6 declares “I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.” This emphasizes God’s displeasure with necromancy.
- Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD.” Again, mediums and spiritists are condemned.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 describes King Saul’s downfall: “Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD.” Saul’s sin of consulting a medium displeased God.
- Isaiah 8:19 warns “When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” Isaiah condemns necromancy and says people should seek God instead.
These and other verses demonstrate how seeking supernatural knowledge through necromancy was strictly forbidden. God wanted His people to rely on Him alone.
New Testament Confirmation
The New Testament also condemns sorcery and magic arts that were connected to necromancy:
- Acts 8:9-13 describes Simon the sorcerer who practiced magic arts and amazed people with his occult powers. But when Simon heard the gospel and believed, he repented of his sorcery.
- Acts 19:17-20 tells of new believers publicly burning their magic scrolls. “In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” They rejected necromancy and occult arts.
- Galatians 5:19-21 lists sorcery and witchcraft as acts of the flesh, warning that those who practice such things “will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
- Revelation 21:8 places sorcerers and those who practice magic arts in the list of the damned. “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”
While not directly mentioning necromancy, these verses confirm that all occult magical arts are detestable to God. The early church clearly rejected anything associated with sorcery, including necromancy.
Attempted Necromancy in the Bible
There are also examples in the Bible of people attempting to consult the dead, which clearly ended badly:
- Saul tried to communicate with Samuel through a medium, but the results were tragic (1 Samuel 28:3-25). Saul died shortly after.
- Some Jewish exorcists tried to invoke Jesus’ name over demon-possessed people as if it were a magic charm, but the evil spirit overpowered and attacked them (Acts 19:13-16).
These attempts at using magic arts and necromancy backfired. The Bible makes clear that only God has power over spirits, not mediums or sorcerers.
Why the Bible Forbids Necromancy
Necromancy is forbidden in the Bible for several reasons:
- It is a pagan practice – Necromancy has its roots in pagan religions, not Judaism or Christianity. God did not want His people following pagan customs.
- It perverts God’s desires – God wants people to find truth and guidance by seeking Him, not the dead (Isaiah 8:19-20). He expects faith, not supernatural proofs.
- It exploits the dead – Consulting the deceased against their will is an abuse of those who have passed away.
- It promotes deception – Demons can mimic the dead and mislead people through necromancy.
- It distracts from God – Seeking supernatural knowledge apart from God is rebellion against Him. He wants complete loyalty.
For these reasons, the Bible unequivocally condemns necromancy and similar magic arts. God’s people must avoid these spiritual counterfeits.
What Does Happen After Death?
While the dead cannot be contacted, the Bible does reveal some of what happens after death:
- At death, the spirit leaves the body and goes to be with God or departs to a place of torment (Luke 16:19-31).
- The deceased are aware of their state and await future resurrection (Luke 16:19-31).
- There is a future resurrection to eternal life or judgment (John 5:28-29).
- God will one day make all things new and wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:3-5).
Rather than trying to uncover details through necromancy, we can find comfort in knowing God holds the keys to life and death. He promises eternal blessings to those who trust in Him.
Our Response to Necromancy
As Christians, how should we respond to the draw of necromancy and occult practices?
- Repent of any involvement with such practices and ask God’s forgiveness (Acts 19:17-20).
- Renounce evil spiritual forces in prayer and resist the devil (James 4:7).
- Seek God wholeheartedly in prayer, Scripture, and Christian community (Jeremiah 29:13).
- Find comfort in God’s promises of the resurrection and eternal life (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
- Trust God even when His ways are mysterious, knowing He desires our good (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Rather than chasing forbidden knowledge, our calling is to pursue an intimate relationship with the source of truth – God Himself.
Conclusion
The Bible strongly condemns necromancy and all attempts to communicate with the dead. God wants us to seek Him exclusively for wisdom and guidance. He promises to reveal all we need for living uprightly through His Word and by the Holy Spirit. Any pursuit of supernatural knowledge apart from God leads only to deception and destruction. As we place our faith in God’s complete revelation, we can trust Him fully in life and death.
