Familiar Spirit
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
A familiar spirit refers to a supernatural entity believed to be controlled by a practitioner of divination or necromancy. These spirits were purportedly summoned to provide hidden knowledge or communicate with the deceased.
What is the meaning of Familiar Spirit in the Bible?
A familiar spirit refers to a supernatural entity believed to be controlled by a practitioner of divination or necromancy. These spirits were purportedly summoned to provide hidden knowledge or communicate with the deceased.
SIGNIFICANCE
This concept illuminates the ancient Israelite context for the strict prohibitions against necromancy and divination found in the Torah, highlighting the cultural boundary between accepted prophetic revelation and forbidden occult practices.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Familiar Spirit in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Familiar Spirit clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.