Omens are mentioned in the Bible, often in the context of avoiding superstitious practices. The focus is placed on trusting God for guidance rather than interpreting signs or symbols in nature.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Soothsayers
What Does The Bible Say About Omens
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
This verse emphasizes God’s strong disapproval and warning against engaging in practices related to omens. It clearly states that those who participate in divination, sorcery, witchcraft, and various forms of spiritual consultation are considered detestable to the Lord.
As Christians, we are called to place our trust in God alone and seek guidance through prayer, study of His Word, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Relying on omens or any form of supernatural divination is not aligning with God’s will and can lead us away from His truth.
Isaiah 47:13
“You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you.”
This verse addresses the fruitlessness and futility of relying on those who interpret omens or study the stars to predict the future. It challenges those who practice such divination to call upon their methods to save them, emphasizing their inability to provide true guidance and protection.
As believers, we should trust in God’s sovereignty and His ability to guide and direct our paths. Relying on omens takes our focus away from God and places it on supernatural signs that can easily deceive or mislead us. It is far better to seek God’s wisdom and guidance through His Word and prayer.
Leviticus 19:26
“You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes.”
In this verse, God gives commandments to the Israelites, instructing them to refrain from interpreting omens or telling fortunes. As His chosen people, they were to live in obedience to His laws and separate themselves from pagan practices that sought to determine the future through superstitious means.
As Christians, we are also called to live lives that are set apart for God’s purposes. This includes avoiding practices that involve omens or divination. Instead, we are to trust in God’s perfect plan for our lives, seeking His will and direction through prayer and His Word.
Acts 16:16-18
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.”
This passage recounts a specific incident where a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination followed Paul and his companions, proclaiming the truth about them. While her words were accurate, Paul recognized that her source of knowledge was demonic and not from God.
As Christians, we are taught to be discerning and to recognize the influence of evil spirits. Although some fortune-tellers or those who claim to interpret omens may appear to have accurate insights, we should be cautious and discern whether their source aligns with God or is influenced by darkness.
Isaiah 44:25
“who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense.”
This verse speaks of God’s power and authority over those who practice divination and interpret omens. It highlights that God can confound the predictions and prophecies of false prophets and turn their wisdom into foolishness.
As believers, we find comfort in knowing that God is ultimately in control and that He exposes the falsehood and deceptive practices of those who claim to have supernatural insight. We are called to trust in God’s wisdom and guidance, seeking Him above any human or supernatural means of determining the future.
Jeremiah 14:14-15
“Then the LORD said to me, ‘The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries, and the delusions of their own minds. Therefore, this is what the LORD says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, ‘No sword or famine will touch this land.’ Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine.”
In this passage, God exposes the false prophets who claim to speak on His behalf but are actually deceiving the people with their divinations and self-delusions. God declares that these prophets will face the consequences of their deception and perish by sword and famine.
As believers, we must be cautious of those who claim to have special insights or predictions about the future but do not align with God’s Word. We should test the spirits and discern whether their words come from God or are merely human or demonic in nature. Our trust should always be in God’s unchanging truth.
Jeremiah 27:9
“So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who tell you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon.’
During the time when the nation of Judah faced the threat of Babylonian captivity, God had specific instructions for His people. He warned them not to listen to the false prophets and diviners who would tell them not to serve the king of Babylon, for it was God’s plan for them to submit to Babylonian rule as a consequence of their disobedience.
As Christians, we are called to seek God’s guidance and wisdom rather than relying on human predictions or interpretations. God’s plans may not always align with our desires or expectations, but we can trust that He knows what is best for us and will lead us in the right direction.
Isaiah 2:6-7
“You, LORD, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs. Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots.”
In these verses, the prophet Isaiah condemns the people of Israel for adopting divination practices and embracing pagan customs. Despite their material prosperity, they have turned away from God and given themselves over to superstitions.
As believers, we must be mindful of the temptations and influences of the world that can lead us astray. Rather than seeking guidance through omens or superstitions, we should rely on God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit in making decisions and discerning His will.
Jeremiah 14:15-16
“Therefore this is what the LORD says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, ‘No sword or famine will touch this land.’ Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine. And the people they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and sword. There will be no one to bury them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve.”
In these verses, God warns that false prophets who mislead the people with their false predictions will face severe consequences. Not only will these prophets perish by sword and famine, but the people who believed their false prophecies will also suffer greatly.
As Christians, we must be cautious not to place our trust in those who claim to have supernatural knowledge or abilities. Instead, we should lean on God’s Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, recognizing that God alone knows the future and has our best interests in mind.
Zechariah 10:2
“The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.”
In this verse, the prophet Zechariah exposes the deceptive nature of idols and false diviners who provide false visions and dreams. Their comforting words are empty and offer no true guidance or solutions to the people who, as a result, wander aimlessly like sheep without a shepherd.
As believers, we have the privilege of having Jesus as our Good Shepherd who leads, guides, and comforts us. We should not seek false comfort or guidance through omens or divination, but rather trust in the eternal and true Word of God to provide all we need.
Ezekiel 12:24
“For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations among the people of Israel.”
This verse speaks of a future time when false visions and flattering divinations will no longer deceive the people of Israel. It suggests a time of restoration when the people will rely solely on God’s truth and guidance rather than seeking supernatural signs to determine their course.
As Christians, we can look forward to the promised reign of Christ when all deception and falsehood will be done away with. Until then, we are called to diligently seek God’s truth and rely on His Word to guide us, rejecting the allure of any form of divination or omen interpretation.
Jeremiah 27:9-10
“But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who say to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon.’ For it is a lie that they are prophesying to you, with the result that you will be removed far from your land, and I will drive you out, and you will perish.”
In this passage, God warns the people of Judah not to listen to the false prophets and diviners who claim that they should not serve the king of Babylon. He proclaims that these prophets are lying and that their deception will lead to their exile and destruction.
As believers, we must be discerning and test the messages and prophecies we encounter against the truth of God’s Word. We should not blindly follow any supernatural or divinatory claims that contradict God’s revealed will and truth, lest we be led astray from His plan for our lives.
Ezekiel 13:7-9
“Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, ‘The LORD declares,’ though I have not spoken? Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign LORD. My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations.”
These verses capture God’s condemnation of false prophets who claim to speak on His behalf, yet speak lies and false visions. God declares that He is against them and will oppose them for their deceitful words.
As Christians, we should always seek to discern the truth and test every message against the Word of God. False prophets and those who interpret omens may try to deceive and mislead us, but by relying on the truth of God’s Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can avoid their snares.
Jeremiah 29:8-9
“Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the LORD.”
Here, God warns the people of Judah not to be deceived by false prophets and diviners who claim to have dreams and visions from Him. He makes it clear that these individuals are prophesying lies in His name and that He has not sent them.
As believers, we are called to exercise discernment and not be easily swayed by claims of supernatural insight or divine revelations. Instead, we should test every message against the truth of God’s Word and seek His guidance in prayer to avoid being led astray.
Isaiah 44:25-26
“I am the one who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense. But I carry out the predictions of my servants the prophets, and my messengers—those who foretell disaster.”
In these verses, God emphasizes His power and authority over false prophets and diviners. He declares that He can thwart their signs and confound their wisdom. However, He also notes that He fulfills the predictions of His genuine prophets who proclaim His message.
As Christians, we can find assurance in God’s ability to expose falsehood and protect His people from deception. We should rely on His Word and discern the messages we encounter, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to distinguish truth from falsehood.
Jeremiah 27:9-10
“But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who say to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon.’ For it is a lie that they are prophesying to you.”
God warns the people of Judah not to listen to the false prophets and diviners who tell them not to serve the king of Babylon. He declares that their words are lies intended to deceive the people.
As believers, we are called to exercise discernment and not be swayed by false prophetic claims or interpretations. We must hold firmly to God’s Word and seek His wisdom and guidance in making decisions rather than relying on supernatural signs or omens.
Isaiah 47:13-14
“You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. No coal for warming oneself is this, no fire to sit before!”
In these verses, Isaiah speaks to those who rely on astrologers and those who interpret the movements of the stars and moons to predict future events. He mocks their inability to save themselves or deliver accurate forecasts.
As Christians, we should not place our trust in astrology or any form of divination. Instead, we are called to trust in God alone and seek His guidance through prayer, His Word, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Leviticus 19:31
“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.”
This verse sternly warns against seeking out mediums or spiritists, emphasizing that engaging in such practices would defile the people. It reminds the Israelites that God is their only true God, and they should not turn to supernatural sources for guidance.
As believers, we are called to trust in God alone and seek His guidance. Engaging in divination or seeking supernatural signs can lead us away from God’s truth and open doors to spiritual deception. We are to rely on God’s Word and the Holy Spirit as our source of wisdom and direction.
Isaiah 8:19
“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
Isaiah challenges the people’s inclination to seek guidance from mediums and spiritists who claim to have the ability to communicate with the dead. He questions why they would seek advice from the dead when they have a living God they can directly inquire of.
As Christians, we are called to seek wisdom and guidance directly from God. Instead of relying on supernatural means or seeking contact with the dead, we should turn to God in prayer, His Word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He is the source of all wisdom and understanding.
Deuteronomy 18:10-14
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD; because of these same detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.”
This passage contains a comprehensive warning against various practices related to divination, sorcery, and supernatural consultation. The people are instructed not to engage in these detestable practices as they are contrary to God’s will and character.
As Christians, we are called to separate ourselves from any form of divination, sorcery, or supernatural consultation. Our faith should be anchored in God alone, and we should seek His guidance through prayer, His Word, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must resist the temptation to rely on omens or supernatural signs and place our full trust in God’s perfect plan for our lives.
Isaiah 44:24-25
“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish.”
In these verses, God declares His sovereignty and power over all creation. He emphasizes that He alone frustrates the signs of liars and diviners, making their false predictions futile. God’s wisdom and power transcend worldly knowledge.
As believers, we should have confidence in God’s ability to expose falsehood and lead us in truth. Rather than seeking guidance through omens or divination, we must depend on God’s Word and the revelation of the Holy Spirit for wisdom and direction in our lives.
Jeremiah 29:8-9
“For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the LORD.”
God warns the people of Judah not to be deceived by the false prophets and diviners who claim to speak in His name. He explicitly declares that these individuals are lying and that He has not sent them.
As Christians, we are called to be discerning and not easily swayed by those who claim to have supernatural insight. We should test every message against God’s Word and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to avoid being led astray by false prophets and those who interpret omens.