Necromancy is the practice of attempting to communicate with the dead, often to gain secret knowledge or guidance. The Bible utterly condemns this practice and identifies it as part of occult rebellion against God.
Deuteronomy 18:10–12 explicitly forbids necromancy:
“There shall not be found among you anyone… who practices witchcraft… or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord.”
Necromancy is not a harmless tradition or superstition. It is a spiritual offense that invites demonic deception. The dead do not speak to the living, and any voice or manifestation claiming to be the spirit of a deceased person is a lie, either human fraud or demonic impersonation. Ecclesiastes 9:5 is clear:
“For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.”
The most vivid biblical example involving necromancy is found in 1 Samuel 28. King Saul, having been rejected by God, sought out the witch of Endor to call up the prophet Samuel. Though God permitted a message of judgment to come forth through this event, Saul’s action was condemned. His death followed shortly after. 1 Chronicles 10:13–14 says:
“So Saul died for his unfaithfulness… and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the Lord.”
Necromancy is not just forbidden; it is spiritually dangerous. Those who engage in it open themselves to demonic influence and judgment. The only source of truth is God Himself, and He forbids seeking any other voice beyond His Word and Spirit.
True peace and guidance come only from the living God, not from forbidden contact with the dead.
