Leviticus 20:27 declares the death penalty for anyone in Israel who practices spiritualism or mediumship, emphasizing that such disobedience to the LORD’s covenant carries grave consequences.
“Now a man or a woman who is a medium or a spiritist shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones, their bloodguiltiness is upon them.” (Leviticus 20:27). This solemn command appears as part of the LORD’s instructions to the nation of Israel, given through Moses at Mount Sinai. Under God’s suzerain-vassal structure with Israel, described through Exodus-Deuteronomy, the people were commanded to reject all forms of occult practices and unlawful spiritual guidance. By involving themselves with mediums or spiritists, individuals not only broke God’s covenant but also opened themselves up to exploitation and deceit, reflecting pagan practices contrary to the LORD’s holiness.
The passage underscores that neither men nor women were exempt from this prohibition. Anyone in Israel who served as a medium (one claiming to summon or channel the dead) or a spiritist (someone who sought hidden knowledge by dark or demonic means) was to face the death penalty by stoning. The phrase their bloodguiltiness is upon them indicates that those who defied God’s covenant were personally responsible for their own punishment, emphasizing the seriousness of abusing spiritual power against the LORD’s revealed ways.
By bringing severe judgment against occultism, the LORD protected the covenant community from destructive influences, preserving Israel’s exclusive allegiance to Him. Stoning was the social and legal means of communal condemnation for such a grave offense, illustrating the protective boundary that God’s law set against profaning worship and trust in Him alone.
This verse warns that God’s holiness requires His people to seek Him, not counterfeit spiritual forces, and reminds believers of the vital call to remain faithful to His revealed truth in every generation.
Mediums and spiritists were forbidden because they opposed God’s holiness and His covenant with Israel, revealing that the LORD alone is to be sought for guidance and truth.
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Leviticus 20:27 meaning
“Now a man or a woman who is a medium or a spiritist shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones, their bloodguiltiness is upon them.” (Leviticus 20:27). This solemn command appears as part of the LORD’s instructions to the nation of Israel, given through Moses at Mount Sinai. Under God’s suzerain-vassal structure with Israel, described through Exodus-Deuteronomy, the people were commanded to reject all forms of occult practices and unlawful spiritual guidance. By involving themselves with mediums or spiritists, individuals not only broke God’s covenant but also opened themselves up to exploitation and deceit, reflecting pagan practices contrary to the LORD’s holiness.
The passage underscores that neither men nor women were exempt from this prohibition. Anyone in Israel who served as a medium (one claiming to summon or channel the dead) or a spiritist (someone who sought hidden knowledge by dark or demonic means) was to face the death penalty by stoning. The phrase their bloodguiltiness is upon them indicates that those who defied God’s covenant were personally responsible for their own punishment, emphasizing the seriousness of abusing spiritual power against the LORD’s revealed ways.
By bringing severe judgment against occultism, the LORD protected the covenant community from destructive influences, preserving Israel’s exclusive allegiance to Him. Stoning was the social and legal means of communal condemnation for such a grave offense, illustrating the protective boundary that God’s law set against profaning worship and trust in Him alone.
This verse warns that God’s holiness requires His people to seek Him, not counterfeit spiritual forces, and reminds believers of the vital call to remain faithful to His revealed truth in every generation.
Mediums and spiritists were forbidden because they opposed God’s holiness and His covenant with Israel, revealing that the LORD alone is to be sought for guidance and truth.