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.
Any man or woman who communicates with spirits of the dead or practices sorcery must be put to death. They will be killed by stoning, and they will be responsible for their own death.
God is commanding that anyone who practices communicating with spirits or sorcery should face the death penalty, holding them accountable for their choices.
📚 Historical Context
This command was given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, where many pagan nations practiced various forms of divination, spirit communication, and witchcraft. God wanted His people to remain completely separate from these occult practices that were common among the Canaanite peoples. The severe penalty reflected how seriously God viewed spiritual contamination that could lead His people away from exclusive worship of Him.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.