Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Speaking With The Dead?
11 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Speaking With The Dead in the Bible
Discover 18 powerful Bible verses about speaking with the dead. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential character & virtues topic.
Top 10 Verses About Speaking With The Dead
- 1Leviticus 19:31
“Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.”
KJV - 2Leviticus 20:6
“And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.”
KJV - 3Leviticus 20:27
“A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.”
KJV - 4Deuteronomy 18:10
“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,”
KJV - 5
- 6Ecclesiastes 9:5
“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.”
KJV - 7Ecclesiastes 12:7
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
KJV - 8Isaiah 8:19
“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?”
KJV - 9Matthew 22:32
“I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
KJV - 10Luke 16:19
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Speaking With The Dead? (8 Verses)
“Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.”
“And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.”
“A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.”
“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,”
“The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.”
“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.”
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
“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?”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Speaking With The Dead? (3 Verses)
“I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:”
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Speaking With The Dead
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about speaking with the dead. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about speaking with the dead and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about speaking with the dead is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on speaking with the dead needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about speaking with the dead with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about speaking with the dead, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Speaking With The Dead?
You have studied 11 verses about speaking with the dead. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.