King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 18:10 Mean?

Deuteronomy 18:10 in the King James Version says “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth d... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

Deuteronomy 18:10 · KJV


Context

8

They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony. that: Heb. his sale by the fathers

9

When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

10

There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

11

Or a charmer , or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer .

12

For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire (לֹא־יִמָּצֵא בְךָ מַעֲבִיר בְּנוֹ־וּבִתּוֹ בָּאֵשׁ)—child sacrifice to Molech, where children were burned alive or passed through fire as dedication. Ma'avir ba'esh literally "causing to pass through the fire." Archaeological evidence confirms this horrific practice in Carthage (Phoenician colony) and possibly Canaan.

The list continues: or that useth divination (qosem qesamim, one who practices divination—reading omens, casting lots for occult knowledge); an observer of times (me'onen, one who observes clouds, practices astrology, reads signs in nature); an enchanter (menachesh, one who practices augury, serpent charming, seeking omens); a witch (mekhashshef, one who practices sorcery, uses spells and potions).

These practices sought knowledge and power through demonic rather than divine sources. They represented autonomy—accessing spiritual reality independently of God's authorized revelation. Leviticus 19:31 and 20:6,27 prescribe death for such practices, showing their covenant-breaking severity. Saul's consultation with the medium at Endor (1 Samuel 28) exemplified the spiritual bankruptcy these practices represent.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Child sacrifice was practiced in the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) south of Jerusalem during the reigns of Ahaz and Manasseh (2 Kings 16:3, 21:6). Josiah's reforms destroyed these sites (2 Kings 23:10). Divination and sorcery permeated ancient Near Eastern religion—Babylonian priests read sheep livers, studied stars, and consulted spirits. Daniel's superiority to Babylonian wise men (Daniel 2) demonstrated YHWH's supremacy over occult practices.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do modern equivalents—horoscopes, mediums, fortune-tellers, Ouija boards—represent the same forbidden attempt to access spiritual knowledge apart from God?
  2. Why is God so severe about these practices, and what does their prohibition teach about the exclusivity of biblical revelation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
לֹֽא1 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִמָּצֵ֣א2 of 12

There shall not be found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בְךָ֔3 of 12
H0
מַֽעֲבִ֥יר4 of 12

to pass

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בְּנֽוֹ5 of 12

among you any one that maketh his son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּבִתּ֖וֹ6 of 12

or his daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

בָּאֵ֑שׁ7 of 12

through the fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

קֹסֵ֣ם8 of 12

divination

H7081

a lot; also divination (including its fee), oracle

קְסָמִ֔ים9 of 12

or that useth

H7080

properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine

מְעוֹנֵ֥ן10 of 12

or an observer of times

H6049

figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., practise magic

וּמְנַחֵ֖שׁ11 of 12

or an enchanter

H5172

properly, to hiss, i.e., whisper a (magic) spell; generally, to prognosticate

וּמְכַשֵּֽׁף׃12 of 12

or a witch

H3784

properly, to whisper a spell, i.e., to inchant or practise magic


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 18:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 18:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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