12 Bible Verses About Speaking With The Dead

Written by: Evelyn Johnson
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Bible verses about speaking with the dead

Here are twelve powerful Bible verses about speaking with the dead:

1. Leviticus 19:31 – “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.”
2. Leviticus 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.”
3. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – “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. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.”
4. Isaiah 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?”
5. Isaiah 19:3 – “And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.”
6. Isaiah 29:4 – “And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.”

7. 1 Samuel 28:3-19 – “Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor…And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth…Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel…And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth…And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?…Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”

8. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 – “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; And inquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.”

9. 2 Kings 21:6 – “And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.”

10. Acts 16:16-18 – “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.”

11. Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

12. Revelation 21:8 – “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

What does the bible say about speaking with the dead?

The Bible generally discourages speaking with the dead, as it is considered a form of necromancy or communication with spirits.

The practice is seen as a violation of God’s commandments and a rejection of His authority.

The Bible emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance and communication from God alone, rather than turning to the deceased for advice or assistance.

Additionally, the Bible warns against being deceived by evil spirits masquerading as the dead.

Overall, the Bible teaches that believers should trust in God and His word for guidance and comfort, rather than seeking communication with the dead.

What Bible chapters should you read if you want to learn more about speaking with the dead?

1. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – This chapter specifically warns against consulting with mediums or spiritists, as it is considered an abomination to the Lord. This chapter emphasizes the importance of avoiding communication with the dead and seeking guidance from God alone.

2. Leviticus 19:31 – This chapter also warns against seeking out mediums or spiritists, as it is considered defiling oneself and going against the commands of the Lord. It reinforces the idea that communication with the dead is not in alignment with God’s will.

3. 1 Samuel 28 – This chapter tells the story of King Saul consulting a medium to speak with the deceased prophet Samuel. The consequences of this action are severe, as it ultimately leads to Saul’s downfall. This chapter serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of attempting to communicate with the dead.

By reading these chapters, one can gain a better understanding of the biblical perspective on speaking with the dead. It highlights the importance of seeking guidance and wisdom from God alone, rather than turning to mediums or spiritists for answers. It also serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of engaging in such practices.

Ideas and concepts related to speaking with the dead that are also taught or mentioned in the Bible.’

1. Necromancy: Necromancy is the practice of communicating with the dead in order to gain knowledge or insight. This practice is explicitly forbidden in the Bible, as it goes against God’s commandments and can lead to spiritual deception.

2. Mediums and Spiritists: The Bible also warns against seeking guidance from mediums or spiritists, as they claim to communicate with the dead but are actually engaging in practices that are considered occult and sinful.

3. Resurrection: The concept of resurrection is central to the Christian faith, as it teaches that believers will be raised from the dead to live eternally with God. This belief contrasts with the idea of speaking with the dead, as it emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s plan for the afterlife rather than seeking communication with deceased loved ones.

4. Judgment Day: The Bible teaches that all people will face judgment after death, where they will be held accountable for their actions and beliefs. This belief underscores the importance of focusing on one’s relationship with God during life, rather than attempting to communicate with the dead in hopes of gaining insight or comfort.

Evelyn Johnson - Bible Verses
Written by Evelyn Johnson


Evelyn Johnson is a theologian, Bible expert, and the founder of EncouragingBibleVerses.org, a trusted resource for uplifting and empowering Bible verses.

With a Master's degree in Divinity, Evelyn is dedicated to studying and interpreting the Bible. Her website features curated collections of verses on various topics, along with insightful commentary and practical tips for everyday life.

Evelyn is also a sought-after speaker and author on matters of faith and spirituality. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and volunteering in her local church and community.

Learn more about her and read her other articles here.