A person who has a superstition regarding dates – regarding them as lucky or unlucky, based upon astrology (Deuteronomy 18:8-14).

The subject of astrology has been connected with astronomy since early times. The reference in Judges 5:20 no doubt refers to the influence of the stars in the lives of people. The writer states, "From the heavens the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera." However, the Hebrew people seemed to have had little to do with the subject. In the Book of Daniel there are repeated statements made concerning the astrologers. It is to be noted that Daniel and his three friends, though closely associated with astrologers, are always mentioned as keeping themselves separated and undefiled. Again and again when the magicians and the astrologers were unable to perform a task, it was Daniel who was able to do important things for the king. Thus it is apparent that the Bible condemns the pseudo-science of astrology.

The attempt to obtain secret knowledge, especially of the future, either by inspiration (Acts 16:16) or by the reading and interpreting of certain signs called omens. Those who practice divination assume that the gods or spirits possess secret knowledge that they can impart. The classical passage on this subject (Deuteronomy 18:10-11) and others (e.g. Leviticus 19:26; Ezekiel 8:17; Hosea 4:12) severely condemn it in all its forms. There were various modes of divination: by reading omens, dreams, the use of the lot, hydromancy (foretelling from the appearance of water), astrology, rhabdomancy (use of the divining rod, Hosea 4:12; Ezekiel 8:17), hepatoscopy (divination by an examination of the liver of animals), necromancy or consulting the dead, and the sacrifice of children by burning.

(Hebrew. "ov", etymology and exact meaning unknown). Used in the KJV to refer to the spirit of a dead person that mediums claimed they could summon for consultation (Deuteronomy 18:11). The word "familiar" has in this phrase the sense of the Latin familiaris, belonging to one's family, and hence ready to serve one as a servant. Such a spirit was thought to be able to reveal the future (1 Samuel 28:7; Isaiah 8:19). Since the voice seemed to come in a whisper from the ground, the medium was very likely a ventriloquist. Israelites were forbidden by the Lord to consult familiar spirits (Lev 19:31; Isaiah 8:19). This was regarded as apostasy so serious that those who consulted them were put to death (Leviticus 20:6). Saul put away mediums early in his reign, but consulted the witch of Endor when he became apostate just before his death (1 Sam 28:3-25; 1 Chronicles 10:13). Manasseh dealt with familiar spirits (2 Kings 21:6; 2 Chronicles 33:6), but his grandson Josiah carried out the Mosaic Law against them (2 Kings 23:24). The practice of consulting them probably prevailed more or less to the time of the Exile (Isaiah 8:19; 19:3).