Isaiah 8:19

Translations

Modern

When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

Traditional

And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

Literal

And when they say to you, “Seek after the spirits and after the spiritists who whisper and mutter—” a people should not seek after its gods, on behalf of the living unto the dead,

Latin

…et cum dixerint ad vos: Quærite a pythonibus et a divinis qui strident in incantationibus suis: numquid non populus a Deo suo requiret, pro vivis a mortuis?

Original

Hebrew

English

When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

Notes

Isaiah 8:19–22

Isaiah contrasted his message with the advice of ungodly people around him. His message brought light and truth. The message of spiritists led to darkness and death.
Mediums tried to discover the future through divination (seeking hidden knowledge through rituals). Some claimed to speak with the dead (see Isaiah 19:3). However, God had forbidden these practices because they were empty and harmful (Isaiah 47:9; Deuteronomy 18:9–11).

Isaiah 7:1–12:6

These prophecies occurred when Assyria rose to power. Syria and Israel formed an alliance against Judah (Isaiah 7:1–2; see 2 Kings 16:5). God used Assyria as a tool to punish Syria, Israel, and Judah (Isaiah 7–10).

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah Calling up the Dead Fearing People Salvation in Isaiah Trusting God in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

1 Chronicles 10:13
So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance,
Leviticus 20:6
Whoever turns to mediums or spiritists to prostitute himself with them, I will also set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.
2 Chronicles 33:6
He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.
Psalm 106:28
They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods.
Leviticus 19:31
You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
Isaiah 29:4
You will be brought low, you will speak from the ground, and out of the dust your words will be muffled. Your voice will be like a spirit from the ground; your speech will whisper out of the dust.
Isaiah 19:3
Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists.
1 Samuel 28:8
So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.”
Deuteronomy 18:11
…casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead.
Jeremiah 10:10
But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.
2 Kings 1:3
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’
2 Kings 23:24
Furthermore, Josiah removed the mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. He did this to carry out the words of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD.

Glossary

Isaiah, Book of

Topics

Black Magic Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Conspiracies Desire: Spiritual Divination: Those Who Practised used Mysterious Words and Gestures Familiar Spirits: Vain Fortune Fortune Tellers Horoscopes Mediums Necromancy: General Scriptures Concerning Numerology Paganism Palm Reading Palmistry Praying to the Dead Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments Psychics and Witchcraft Seekers: General Scriptures Concerning Seeking God: Imperative Upon All Soothsaying Sorcery: Denounced Sorcery: Divining by Familiar Spirits (Mediums or Spiritists) Spiritism Tarot Cards The Dead: Diviners The Occult The Spirit of Witchcraft

Isaiah 8:19

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