יִדְּעֹנִי (yid.d.o.ni)
yid.d.o.ni
spiritist
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun yidd‘oni refers to a practitioner who claims to access hidden knowledge through a familiar spirit. In the Old Testament, this term identifies a specific type of diviner or necromancer, one who seeks guidance from spiritual entities rather than from God. It appears eleven times in Scripture, with significant occurrences in Leviticus, Isaiah, and II Kings.
Its root relates to the verb "to know," suggesting that the yidd‘oni presents himself as having special insight or familiarity with the unseen world. However, biblical law strictly forbids this practice, viewing it as a dangerous departure from reliance on divine revelation. The term often serves as a metonym for the spirit itself, highlighting the source of the practitioner's claimed power.
Notable instances include the prohibition in Leviticus 19:31 and the condemnation in Isaiah 8:19, where consulting such figures is contrasted with seeking God’s law. The narrative of King Saul in II Kings 22 (and parallel accounts in Samuel) illustrates the serious consequences associated with this practice. Translators typically render yidd‘oni as "spiritist" or "familiar spirit," capturing the essence of a person engaged in illicit spiritual communication.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yidd‘oni describes someone who claims to know hidden truths by consulting spirits or the dead. In the ancient world, this was a common way to seek guidance when facing uncertainty. The Bible consistently warns against this path, not because God is withholding information, but because such practices lead people away from trusting Him. It represents a shift in loyalty, seeking answers from sources other than the Creator.
For your faith, this word highlights the importance of where we look for direction. When life feels confusing or frightening, it is natural to want quick answers. Yet Scripture invites us to rest in God’s revealed Word rather than chasing after secret knowledge. This approach protects our hearts from deception and keeps our hope anchored in truth.
Remember that God desires an open relationship with you. You do not need special intermediaries or hidden rituals to understand His will. His guidance is available through prayer, Scripture, and the community of believers. Trusting in His clear promises brings peace that no spiritist can offer.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ soothsayers6×
- the/ soothsayer1×
- and/ soothsayers1×
- and/ soothsayer1×
- and/ a familiar spirit1×
- a soothsayer1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/יִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים3×
- יִדְּעֹנִ֖י1×
- וְ/יִדְּעוֹנִ֑י1×
- וְ/יִדְּעֹנִ֔י1×
- וְ/יִדְּעֹנִ֑ים1×
- הַ֠/יִּדְּעֹנִים1×
- הַ/יִּדְּעֹנִֽים\׃1×
- הַ/יִּדְּעֹנִ֖ים1×
- הַ/יִּדְּעֹנִ֖י1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 8:19
When they tell you, “Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter,” shouldn’t a people consult with their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?
This verse contrasts consulting the dead with consulting God, establishing the proper source of guidance for believers.
-
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.
Here the practice is directly linked to defilement, showing how it separates people from God's holiness.
-
I Samuel 28:9
The woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?”
Saul’s fear reveals the danger of turning to forbidden sources when he has abandoned God’s earlier commands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does yidd‘oni mean in the Bible?
Why is this practice forbidden in Scripture?
How does this word relate to modern spiritualism?
Every Occurrence (11 verses across 6 books)
Leviticus 3 verses
“‘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…
Leviticus 20:6“‘The person that turns to those who are mediums and wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my…
Leviticus 20:27“‘A man or a woman that is a medium or is a wizard shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones.…