Deuteronomy 18:10 - There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices sorcery, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer,

Generated Verse: Deuteronomy 18:10

What does "Deuteronomy 18:10" mean?


This verse from Deuteronomy 18:10 is a condemnation of various pagan religious practices common in the ancient Near East that the Israelites are forbidden from engaging in. Let's break down each phrase:

"There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire...": This refers to child sacrifice, a practice where children were offered as burnt offerings to pagan gods like Molech. It was considered an abomination. This practice is condemned as a violation of the sanctity of human life and a form of idolatry.

"...one who uses divination...": Divination is the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or hidden things through supernatural means. This could include interpreting omens, observing animal behavior, or other methods believed to reveal the will of the gods or predict future events.

"...one who practices sorcery...": Sorcery involves the use of magic or supernatural powers to influence events or harm others.

"...or an enchanter...": An enchanter is someone who uses spells, incantations, or charms to manipulate events or people.

"...or a sorcerer": A sorcerer, similar to one who practices sorcery, is a person who is believed to be capable of changing things by magic. The repetition here may be for emphasis, or may denote slightly different methods of sorcery.

In essence, the verse prohibits the Israelites from engaging in any form of pagan worship or occult practices. The underlying principle is that the Israelites were to rely solely on God for guidance and protection, rather than turning to pagan gods or magical practices.

God's purpose behind these prohibitions was to safeguard the Israelites' moral and spiritual purity, ensuring that they remained distinct from the surrounding nations and faithful to their covenant with Him.