Warning against Heathen Practices

9 "When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations . 10 "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire , one who uses divination , one who practices witchcraft , or one who interprets omens , or a sorcerer , 11 or one who casts a spell , or a medium e , or a spiritist , or one who calls up the dead . 12 "For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord ; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before e you. 13 " You shall be blameless before the Lord your God . 14 "For those nations , which you shall dispossess , listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners , but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:9-14

(Read Deuteronomy 18:9-14)

Was it possible that a people so blessed with Divine institutions, should ever be in any danger of making those their teachers whom God had made their captives? They were in danger; therefore, after many like cautions, they are charged not to do after the abominations of the nations of Canaan. All reckoning of lucky or unlucky days, all charms for diseases, all amulets or spells to prevent evil, fortune-telling, &c. are here forbidden. These are so wicked as to be a chief cause of the rooting out of the Canaanites. It is amazing to think that there should be any pretenders of this kind in such a land, and day of light, as we live in. They are mere impostors who blind and cheat their followers.