“And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.”
My Notes
What Does Leviticus 20:6 Mean?
God issues the same severe language — "I will set my face against that soul" — for those who consult mediums ("familiar spirits") and spiritists ("wizards"). The phrase "go a whoring after them" again uses marital infidelity language, making this a covenant issue, not merely a behavioral one.
The prohibition addresses the human desire to access hidden knowledge — to peek behind the curtain of the future, to contact the dead, to gain spiritual information through channels God hasn't authorized. The issue isn't that the spirit world doesn't exist; it's that accessing it through unauthorized means constitutes betrayal of the covenant relationship.
The severity of God's response (setting his face against them, cutting them off) indicates this isn't a minor infraction. Consulting spirits represents a fundamental shift in loyalty — turning from God as your source of guidance to alternative spiritual powers. It's not curiosity; it's a trust transfer.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What spiritual sources outside of God have you been tempted to consult for guidance?
- 2.Why do you think God responds so severely to consulting mediums — what's at stake beyond just a rule?
- 3.How do modern practices like horoscopes or tarot relate to this ancient prohibition?
- 4.What does it mean to trust God as your sole source of spiritual guidance in a world full of alternatives?
Devotional
The desire to know what's hidden is one of the deepest human impulses. The future, the dead, the spiritual forces at work behind the scenes — we want access. And this verse says: I know you want it. But you can't get it that way. Not because the information isn't real, but because the source isn't me.
God doesn't deny that mediums and spiritists can tap into something. He prohibits it not because it's fake but because it's a betrayal. When you go to another spiritual source for guidance that should come from God, you're not just breaking a rule — you're redirecting your trust. And God calls it what it is: spiritual adultery.
This speaks directly to the modern fascination with horoscopes, tarot, psychic readings, energy work, and spirit communication. The appeal is understandable — you want to feel prepared, connected, in control. But the question God asks through this verse is: am I not enough? Is my guidance insufficient that you need to supplement it from other sources?
The severity of the response — God setting his face against you — should give pause. This isn't a gentle correction. It's a threat from a jealous covenant partner who takes spiritual infidelity as seriously as physical infidelity. He wants to be your sole source of spiritual guidance, not one option among many.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
The soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits,.... The man or woman that has respect unto them, seeks after…
Familiar spirits - See the notes on Lev 19:31; and Exo 22:18 (note).
Moses is here directed to say that again to the children of Israel which he had in effect said before, Lev 20:2. We are…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture