Dict: easton - Divination

easton:

Divination @ of false prophets kjv@Deuteronomy:18:10 kjv@Deuteronomy:18:14 kjv@Micah:3:6-7, 11), of necromancers ( kjv@1Samuel:28:8), of the Philistine priests and diviners ( kjv@1Samuel:6:2), of Balaam kjv@Joshua:13:22). Three kinds of divination are mentioned in kjv@Ezekiel:21:21, by arrows, consulting with images (the teraphim), and by examining the entrails of animals sacrificed. The practice of this art seems to have been encouraged in ancient Egypt. Diviners also abounded among the aborigines of Canaan and the Philistines kjv@Isaiah:2:6; 1Samuel:28). At a later period multitudes of magicians poured from Chaldea and Arabia into the land of Israel, and pursued their occupations kjv@Isaiah:8:19; kjv@2Kings:21:6; kjv@2Chronicals:33:6). This superstition widely spread, and in the time of the apostles there were "vagabond Jews, exorcists" kjv@Acts:19:13), and men like Simon Magus kjv@Acts:8:9), Bar-jesus (13:6-8), and other jugglers and impostors (19:19; kjv@2Timothy:3:13). Every species and degree of this superstition was strictly forbidden by the law of Moses kjv@Exodus:22:18; kjv@Leviticus:19:26 kjv@Leviticus:19:31 kjv@Leviticus:20:27; kjv@Deuteronomy:18:10-11). But beyond these various forms of superstition, there are instances of divination on record in the Scriptures by which God was pleased to make known his will.

(1.) There was divination by lot, by which, when resorted to in matters of moment, and with solemnity, God intimated his will kjv@Joshua:7:13). The land of Canaan was divided by lot kjv@Numbers:26:55-56); Achan's guilt was detected kjv@Joshua:7:16-19), Saul was elected king ( kjv@1Samuel:10:20-21), and Matthias chosen to the apostleship, by the solem lot kjv@Acts:1:26). It was thus also that the scape-goat was determined kjv@Leviticus:16:8-10).

(2.) There was divination by dreams kjv@Genesis:20:6; kjv@Deuteronomy:13:1-3; kjv@Judges:7:13-15; kjv@Matthew:1:20 kjv@Matthew:2:12-13, 19, 22). This is illustrated in the history of Joseph kjv@Genesis:41:25-32) and of Daniel (2:27; 4:19-28).

(3.) By divine appointment there was also divination by the Urim and Thummim kjv@Numbers:27:21), and by the ephod.

(4.) God was pleased sometimes to vouch-safe direct vocal communications to men kjv@Deuteronomy:34:10; kjv@Exodus:3:4 kjv@Exodus:4:3; kjv@Deuteronomy:4:14-15; kjvKings:19:12). He also communed with men from above the mercy-seat kjv@Exodus:25:22), and at the door of the tabernacle kjv@Exodus:29:42-43).

(5.) Through his prophets God revealed himself, and gave intimations of his will ( kjv@2Kings:13:17; kjv@Jeremiah:51:63-64).