What does the Bible say about talking to the dead?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• Leviticus 19:31

  "'Don't turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don't seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Yahweh your God.

• 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

  [13] So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Yahweh, because of the word of Yahweh, which he didn't keep; and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire [thereby], [14] and didn't inquire of Yahweh: therefore he killed him, and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.

• Ecclesiastes 9:5

  For the living know that they will die, but the dead don't know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

• Deuteronomy 18:11

  or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

• Hebrews 9:27

  Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment,

• Matthew 24:24

  For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

• 1 John 4:1

  Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

• Micah 5:12

  I will destroy witchcraft from your hand; And you shall have no soothsayers.

• Luke 16:19-31

  [19] "Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. [20] A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores, [21] and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] It happened that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. [23] In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom. [24] He cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.' [25] "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in like manner, bad things. But now here he is comforted and you are in anguish. [26] Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that none may cross over from there to us.' [27] "He said, 'I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house; [28] for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, so they won't also come into this place of torment.' [29] "But Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' [30] "He said, 'No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' [31] "He said to him, 'If they don't listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.'"

• Deuteronomy 18:12

  For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh: and because of these abominations Yahweh your God does drive them out from before you.

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