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Selected Verse: Deuteronomy 18:10 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
De 18:10	King James	There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
To pass through the fire - i. e., to Moloch; compare the Lev 20:2 note. That useth divination - Compare Num 23:23 note. Observer of times ... enchanter - Compare Lev 19:26 note. Witch - Rather "sorcerer," compare the Exo 7:11 note.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

To pass through the fire - i. e., to Moloch; compare the Lev 20:2 note.

That useth divination - Compare Num 23:23 note.

Observer of times ... enchanter - Compare Lev 19:26 note.

Witch - Rather "sorcerer," compare the Exo 7:11 note.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Useth divination - Foretelleth things secret or to come, by unlawful arts and practices. An observer of times - Superstitiously pronouncing some days lucky, and others unlucky. Or, an observer of the clouds or heavens, one that divineth by the motions of the clouds, by the stars, or by the flying or chattering of birds, all which Heathens used to observe. An inchanter - Or, a conjecturer, that discovers hidden things by a superstitious use of words or ceremonies, by observation of water or smoke or any contingencies. A witch - One that is in covenant with the devil.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

Useth divination - Foretelleth things secret or to come, by unlawful arts and practices. An observer of times - Superstitiously pronouncing some days lucky, and others unlucky. Or, an observer of the clouds or heavens, one that divineth by the motions of the clouds, by the stars, or by the flying or chattering of birds, all which Heathens used to observe. An inchanter - Or, a conjecturer, that discovers hidden things by a superstitious use of words or ceremonies, by observation of water or smoke or any contingencies. A witch - One that is in covenant with the devil.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
To pass through the fire - Probably in the way of consecration to Molech, or some other deity. It is not likely that their being burnt to death is here intended. See on Lev 18:21 (note). Divination - קסם קסמים kosem kesamim, one who endeavors to find out futurity by auguries, using lots, etc. Observer of times - מעונן meonen, one who pretends to foretell future events by present occurrences, and who predicts great political or physical changes from the aspects of the planets, eclipses, motion of the clouds, etc., etc. See on Gen 41:8 (note). Enchanter - מנחש menachesh, from נחש nichesh, to view attentively; one who inspected the entrails of beasts, observed the flight of birds, etc., etc., and drew auguries thence. Some think divination by serpents is meant, which was common among the heathen. A witch - מחשף mechashsheph, probably those who by means of drugs, herbs, perfumes, etc., pretended to bring certain celestial influences to their aid. See the note on Lev 19:26.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

To pass through the fire - Probably in the way of consecration to Molech, or some other deity. It is not likely that their being burnt to death is here intended. See on Lev 18:21 (note).

Divination - קסם קסמים kosem kesamim, one who endeavors to find out futurity by auguries, using lots, etc.

Observer of times - מעונן meonen, one who pretends to foretell future events by present occurrences, and who predicts great political or physical changes from the aspects of the planets, eclipses, motion of the clouds, etc., etc. See on Gen 41:8 (note).

Enchanter - מנחש menachesh, from נחש nichesh, to view attentively; one who inspected the entrails of beasts, observed the flight of birds, etc., etc., and drew auguries thence. Some think divination by serpents is meant, which was common among the heathen.

A witch - מחשף mechashsheph, probably those who by means of drugs, herbs, perfumes, etc., pretended to bring certain celestial influences to their aid. See the note on Lev 19:26.

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