SPECIAL TOPIC: DIVINATION

This PARTICIPLE (BDB 890, KB 1116, Qal PARTICIPLE) means “one trying to know and control the future.” Several different methods were used.

casting lots
consulting idols
examining sheep livers
necromancy
cloud reading
flight and perching of birds
there was also the use of liquids
1. the way water fell into the cup (hydromancy)
2. the sound of the water falling into the cup
3. the pattern of oil drops poured into the cup (locanomancy)
4. pieces of gold, silver, or precious stones were dropped into the cup and their distribution or arrangement was noted (cf. UBS Handbook on Genesis, p. 989)

Some typical texts are Num. 22:7; 23:23; Deut. 18:10,14; Josh. 13:22; 1 Sam. 6:5; 15:23; 28:8; 2 Kgs. 17:17; Isa. 2:6; 3:2; 44:25; Jer. 14:14; 27:9; 29:8; Ezek. 12:24; 13:6,7,9,23; 21:21,22,23,29; 22:28.

Much of our information about divination techniques comes from old Babylonian omen texts (also note later techniques in Ezek. 21:21). There is not much information about divination methods in Egyptian history (see James M. Freeman, Manners and Customs of the Bible, pp. 52-54).

It is based on the pagan worldview that there

are spiritual beings active in this world who affect persons and events
is information about the future hidden in natural events and that gifted humans (i.e., diviners, mediums, spiritists, false prophets, e.g., Jer. 14:13-16; 27:9; 29:8; Ezek. 13:6,9,23; 22:28) can know and influence this future.

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (OT)