communicating with the dead
What does the Bible say about communicating with the dead? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
14 passages · most helpful first
31Do not turn aside to astrologers, nor consult with soothsayers, so as to be polluted through them. I am the Lord your God.
19And though they say to you, “Seek from seers and diviners,” they who hiss in their incantations, should not the people seek from their God, for the sake of the living, and not from the dead?
19A certain man was wealthy, and he was clothed in purple and in fine linen. And he feasted splendidly every day. 20And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, covered with sores, 21wanting to be filled with the crumbs which were falling from the wealthy man’s table. But no one gave it to him. And even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22Then it happened that the beggar died, and he was carried by the Angels into the bosom of Abraham. Now the wealthy man also died, and he was entombed in Hell. 23Then lifting up his eyes, while he was in torments, he saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And crying out, he said: ‘Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus, so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water to refresh my tongue. For I am tortured in this fire.’
27A man or a woman, in whom there is an oracle-like or a divining spirit, shall be put to death. They shall stone them. So let their blood be upon them.
6The soul who will have turned aside to astrologers and soothsayers, and who will have fornicated with them, I will set my face against him, and I will destroy him from the midst of his people.
5For the living know that they themselves will die, yet truly the dead know nothing anymore, nor do they have any recompense. For the memory of them is forgotten.
5For the living know that they themselves will die, yet truly the dead know nothing anymore, nor do they have any recompense. For the memory of them is forgotten. 6Likewise, love and hatred and envy have all perished together, nor have they any place in this age and in the work which is done under the sun.
27And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged,
14And no wonder, for even Satan presents himself as if he were an Angel of light.
10Do not let there be found among you one who would purify his son or daughter by leading them through fire, nor one who consults seers, nor one who observes dreams or omens. Do not let there be found among you one who practices the occult, 11nor one who uses spells, nor one who consults demonic spirits, nor a diviner, nor one who seeks the truth from the dead. 12For the Lord abominates all these things. And, because of these wicked ways, he will destroy them at your arrival.
13Thus did Saul die for his iniquities, because he betrayed the commandment of the Lord which he had instructed, and did not keep it. And moreover, he even consulted a woman diviner; 14for he did not trust in the Lord. Because of this, he caused his death, and he transferred his kingdom to David, the son of Jesse.
4His spirit will depart, and he will return to his earth. In that day, all their thoughts will perish.
11nor one who uses spells, nor one who consults demonic spirits, nor a diviner, nor one who seeks the truth from the dead.
1Most beloved, do not be willing to believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are of God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.