Isaiah 8:19

when. should.

familiar spirits. See note on Leviticus 19:31.

peep. Hebrew. zaphaph. Occurs only in Isaiah; and this form, only in Isaiah 10:14, elsewhere, in Isaiah 29:4 (whisper); Isaiah 38:14 (chatter). It is used of an unearthly sound.

mutter: i, e. with indistinct sounds. This refers to the low incantations which, in the Babylonian and Egyptian "mysteries", had to be recited in. whisper (like certain parts of the Roman Missal).. whole series is called "the ritual of the whispered charm".

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

for the living to the dead. Supply the Figure of speech Ellipsis from the preceding clause (App-6), and render: "Should not any People seek unto its God? for [should] the living [seek unto] the dead? "This is. solemn warning against all ancient and modern Spiritists.