Sorcery

Sorcery, witchcraft, and divination encompass the attempts to manipulate supernatural forces or obtain hidden knowledge through means other than God's revealed word. The Mosaic law absolutely prohibited all forms: divination, omens, augury, sorcery, charming, consulting mediums or necromancers (Deut. 18:9–14; Lev. 19:26–31; 20:6). The death penalty applied to anyone who practiced as a medium or spiritist (Lev. 20:27). The rationale is theological: these practices belong to the nations who are being driven out and represent reliance on anything other than God.

Despite the prohibitions, sorcery pervaded Israelite history: Saul consulted the witch of Endor in desperation (1 Sam. 28:7–20), and Manasseh "dealt with mediums and necromancers" among his many abominations (2 Kings 21:6). In the NT, Simon Magus practiced sorcery in Samaria (Acts 8:9–11), and Elymas the sorcerer opposed Paul in Cyprus (Acts 13:8). Revelation includes "sorcerers" among those excluded from the heavenly city (Rev. 22:15; 21:8), and the Greek term pharmakeia (sorcery, drug-use for occult purposes) appears in the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:20).