In biblical terms, a diviner is an individual who practices divination, the attempt to gain insight into future events or hidden knowledge through supernatural means. The practice of divination is explicitly condemned in the Scriptures, as it is often associated with pagan rituals and the invocation of spirits other than the one true God.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains numerous references to diviners and the practice of divination. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , God commands the Israelites: "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."

The prohibition against divination is part of a broader command to avoid all forms of occult practices, which were prevalent among the nations surrounding Israel. The Israelites were called to be distinct and to rely solely on God for guidance and revelation.

In 1 Samuel 28, King Saul seeks out a medium at Endor to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. This act of desperation occurs after God has ceased to answer Saul through traditional means such as dreams, the Urim, or prophets. Saul's consultation with the medium is portrayed as a grave sin, leading to his downfall.

Prophets and Diviners

The distinction between true prophets of God and false prophets or diviners is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. True prophets, like Isaiah and Jeremiah, received their messages directly from God and spoke with His authority. In contrast, diviners often spoke from their own imaginations or under the influence of false spirits.

Jeremiah 14:14 states, "The prophets are prophesying lies in My name," declares the LORD. "I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, worthless divination, the delusions of their own minds."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the practice of divination is also addressed. In Acts 16:16-18 , Paul encounters a slave girl in Philippi who has a spirit of divination and earns a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. Paul, troubled by her persistent proclamations, commands the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ, and she is immediately freed from the spirit's influence.

This account highlights the power of Christ over demonic forces and the incompatibility of divination with the Christian faith. The early church recognized the dangers of such practices and sought to distance itself from them.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, divination is seen as an attempt to circumvent God's sovereignty and seek knowledge or power apart from Him. It reflects a lack of trust in God's provision and timing. The Bible consistently calls believers to seek wisdom and guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit, rather than through forbidden practices.

The diviner, therefore, represents a challenge to the biblical worldview, which emphasizes reliance on God alone for understanding and direction. The consistent biblical message is one of trust in God's revealed word and rejection of practices that seek to manipulate or predict the future through illicit means.