There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who tells fortunes, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer,
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 10. Fire. This impiety is not punished with death, (Leviticus 18:21,) as the burning of children was. Leviticus 20:2. Grotius.—It was done in imitation of the latter, and became more common, as it was less cruel; the person who was thus expiated, being to pass between or to jump over fire. The council of Trullo (chapter 65,) was forced to condemn this remnant of an abominable superstition. But the other inhuman worship of Moloc, and of other pagan divinities, was certainly very common, and chiefly brought down destruction upon the people of Chanaan. See Jeremiah 19:5. Ezekiel 23:37. Psalms 105:37. 4 Kennicott. 17:31. Ennius says, Pæni sunt soliti suos sacrificare puellos. See Saint Augustine Calmet. D. vii. 17. Saint Jerome in Jer. vii. 31. Calmet.—Soothsayers. The original term may also signify, “that useth divination.” Both those who set up for diviners, and those who consult them, are condemned. Bible.—Hiscuni explains it of a superstitious practice, by which a person measured a stick with his finger, saying first I will go; and then I will not; and if, when he came to the end of the stick, he had to say I will go, he determined to begin his journey. See Ezekiel 21:21.—Dreams. Hebrew mehonen, (Leviticus 19:26,) may denote one who judges from the sight of the clouds, or feigns revelations.—Wizard. Hebrew “witch.” Septuagint “poisoner,” or one who gives things to do harm. Rabbins.