Topical Bible: Divination: Those Who Practised: Regarded As Wise Men

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Divination, the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means, is a recurring theme in the Bible. Throughout the Scriptures, individuals who practiced divination were often regarded as wise men or sages, possessing a unique insight into mysteries that were otherwise hidden from ordinary understanding. However, it is important to note that the Bible consistently condemns the practice of divination, associating it with paganism and idolatry.

In the Old Testament, the magicians and wise men of Egypt are notable examples of those who practiced divination and were esteemed for their wisdom. When Pharaoh had troubling dreams, he summoned these individuals to interpret them. Genesis 41:8 states, "In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him." Despite their reputation, they were unable to provide the insight that Joseph, a man of God, ultimately delivered through divine revelation.

Similarly, in the Book of Daniel, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar called upon his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to interpret his dreams. Daniel 2:2 records, "So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came and stood before the king..." These practitioners of divination were considered wise men in Babylonian society, yet they failed to reveal the king's dream and its meaning, which Daniel, through God's wisdom, was able to do.

The New Testament also references individuals who practiced divination and were regarded as wise. In Acts 16:16-18 , a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination brought her owners much profit through fortune-telling. "Once, as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.' She continued this for many days. Eventually, Paul grew so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!' And it left her at that very moment." This account illustrates the perceived wisdom and profitability associated with divination, even as it underscores the power of God over such practices.

Despite the esteem in which practitioners of divination were held in various cultures, the Bible consistently warns against engaging in such practices. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 explicitly forbids divination, stating, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who 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 abominations the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you."

In summary, while those who practiced divination were often regarded as wise men in their respective societies, the biblical narrative consistently portrays divine wisdom as superior and condemns divination as contrary to the will of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 2:12,27
For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Unclean Spirits.
... but in four hundred years they had practised all the ... learn to do after the abominations
of those nation. ... pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Snares of Satan.
... the truth that it deceives those who are ... by the promise of rich rewards, practised
enchantments against ... Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /32 snares of satan.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... well be said of the proselyte baptism practised by the ... the writer has expressions
very similar to those used by ... and God the Son, and cannot be regarded as an ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia.
... impudent profligates, who extolled virtue, and practised the most ... possessed with
a spirit of divination, met us ... masters much gain by soothsaying." Those who can ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvii the mission of.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... a surgical operation similar to that practised upon a ... such as are never found in
those of Shu ... and serpents,"animals which were henceforth regarded as unclean ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... the wench that had a spirit of divination did acknowledge ... forth the fruits thereof,
and some seek those occasions ... attends it; he will walk with wise men that he ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... He who has a wife is regarded as a debtor ... circumcised Timothy, and shaved his own
head, practised going barefoot ... lest they should be compared to those who were ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm