Divination

Divination of false prophets (Deut 18:10, 14; Micah 3:6, 7, 11), of necromancers (1Sam 28:8), of the Philistine priests and diviners (1Sam 6:2), of Balaam (Josh 13:22). Three kinds of divination are mentioned in Ezek 21:21, by arrows, consulting with images (the teraphim), and by examining the entrails of animals sacrificed. The practice of this art See ms to have been encouraged in ancient Egypt. Diviners also abounded among the aborigines of Canaan and the Philistines (Isa 2:6; 1Sam 28). At a later period multitudes of magicians poured from Chaldea and Arabia into the land of Israel, and pursued their occupations (Isa 8:19; 2Kings 21:6; 2Chr 33:6). This superstition widely spread, and in the time of the apostles there were "vagabond Jews, exorcists" (Acts 19:13), and men like Simon Magus (Acts 8:9), Bar-jesus (13:6, 8), and other jugglers and impostors (19:19; 2Tim 3:13). Every species and degree of this superstition was strictly forbidden by the law of Moses (Ex 22:18; Lev 19:26, 31; 20:27; Deut 18:10, 11).

But beyond these various forms of superstition, there are instances of divination on record in the Scriptures by which God was pleased to make known his will.

(1.) There was divination by lot, by which, when resorted to in matters of moment, and with solemnity, God intimated his will (Josh 7:13). The land of Canaan was divided by lot (Num 26:55, 56); Achan's guilt was detected (Josh 7:16-19), Saul was elected king (1Sam 10:20, 21), and Matthias chosen to the apostleship, by the solem lot (Acts 1:26). It was thus also that the scape-goat was determined (Lev 16:8-10).

(2.) There was divination by dreams (Gen 20:6; Deut 13:1, 3; Judg 7:13, 15; Matt 1:20; 2:12, 13, 19, 22). This is illustrated in the history of Joseph (Gen 41:25-32) and of Daniel (2:27; 4:19-28).

(3.) by divine appointment there was also divination by the Urim and Thummim (Num 27:21), and by the ephod.

(4.) God was pleased sometimes to vouch-safe direct vocal communications to men (Deut 34:10; Ex 3:4; 4:3; Deut 4:14, 15; 1Kings 19:12). He also communed with men from above the mercy-seat (Ex 25:22), and at the door of the tabernacle (Ex 29:42, 43).

(5.) Through his prophets God revealed himself, and gave intimations of his will (2Kings 13:17; Jer 51:63, 64).