This v. is inserted to explain what follows. By familiar spirits (Heb. ob) some form of witchcraft is intended. In 1 Samuel 28:7 the woman is said to be 'the mistress of an ob.' In Leviticus 20:27 the ob is said to be in the man or woman: cp. 2 Kings 23:24.

The wizards] From Leviticus 20:27 it is quite clear that this word denotes not the magician, but the spirit controlled by the magician. It is often joined to 'ob,' and means, etymologically, 'possessed of knowledge,' (i.e. of the future or the unseen): cp. our modern clairyoyants.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising