Magic and Divination in the Old Testament

by Nigosian, Solomon

• ISBN13: 9781845192969
• ISBN10: 1845192966
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-08-29
• Publisher: INDEPENDENT PUB GROUP

Summary

"Magic and Divination in the Old Testament describes, vividly and sometimes chillingly, the occult practices of magic and divination with which the ancient people tried to protect themselves from harm. Humans, since time immemorial, have tried to discover and influence the will of spirits and deities that they believed to be in charge of their lives. As a result, all cultures have produced certain special individuals through to be closely in touch with the powers of the supernatural world. Was this true of ancient Israel? If so, who were the occult experts and what techniques were used by them?"--BOOK JACKET.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
List of Abbreviations	p. ix
The Biblical View: A Survey	p. 1
Views of Biblical Scholars	p. 1
Views of Biblical Writers	p. 9
Magical Activities	p. 17
Definitions of Magic and Divination	p. 17
Imitative Magic	p. 19
Magical Spells	p. 26
Exorcising Demons	p. 32
Sacrificial Rites: Animal and Human	p. 33
Rites Associated with the Dead	p. 35
Sexual Taboos	p. 39
Magical Objects	p. 41
Divinatory Techniques	p. 47
Cledonomancy	p. 47
Cleromancy	p. 49
Oneiromancy	p. 53
Necromancy	p. 56
Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP)	p. 58
Divinatory Sites	p. 62
Divinatory Objects	p. 66
Magicians, Seers and Diviners	p. 74
Occult Experts	p. 74
Magician ([characters not reproducible], khartum)	p. 75
Sorcerer/Witch ([characters not reproducible], mekashef/ah)	p. 76
Spell Caster ([characters not reproducible], khober)	p. 76
Diviner ([characters not reproducible], qosem)	p. 77
Soothsayer ([characters not reproducible], me'onen)	p. 77
Augur ([characters not reproducible], menahesh)	p. 78
Necromancer ([characters not reproducible], doresh el hamaitim)	p. 78
Necromancer ([characters not reproducible], shoel ob)	p. 79
Conjurer/Wizard ([characters not reproducible], yid'on)	p. 79
Diviners ([characters not reproducible], hakkamim)	p. 79
Exorcists ([characters not reproducible], ashafim)	p. 81
Soothsayer ([characters not reproducible], gazrin)	p. 81
Diviners ([characters not reproducible], kashdim)	p. 81
Priest/Shaman ([characters not reproducible], kohen)	p. 82
Dream Interpreter ([characters not reproducible], holem)	p. 83
Seer ([characters not reproducible], hozeh)	p. 84
Seer ([characters not reproducible], roeh)	p. 85
Prophet/ess ([characters not reproducible], nababi/ah)	p. 85
An Assessment	p. 88
Biblical Evidence	p. 88
Opposition and Condemnation	p. 90
Notes	p. 92
Bibliography	p. 106
Index of Biblical References	p. 129
Index of Authors	p. 138
Index of Subjects	p. 142
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