Original Word: יִדְּעֹנִי
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: yidd`oniy
Pronunciation: yid-deh-o-nee
Phonetic Spelling: (yid-deh-o-nee')
Definition: Medium, spiritist, wizard
Meaning: a knowing one, a conjurer, a ghost

wizard

From yada'; properly, a knowing one; specifically, a conjurer; (by impl) a ghost -- wizard.

see HEBREW yada'

Word Origin
from yada
Definition
familiar spirit
NASB Translation
spiritist (2), spiritists (9).

יִדְּעֹנִי noun masculine familiar spirit (properly either as knowing, wise (acquainted with secrets of unseen world), Ew vielwisserisch; or as intimate acquaintance of soothsayer, see RS^{JPh xiv. 1885. 127}) — absolute יִדְּעֹנִי Deuteronomy 18:11 2t.; plural יִדְּעֹנִים 1 Samuel 28:3 6t.; הַיִּדְּעֹנִי מִן 1 Samuel 28:9, read הַיִּדְּעֹנִים מִן (see ᵐ5 Th We Klo Dr); familiar spirit, always "" אוֺב, אֹבוֺת 1 Samuel 28:3,9; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 19:3; 2 Kings 21:6 (עשׂה אוֺב; "" נִחֵשׁ, עוֺנֵן) = 2 Chronicles 33:6; 2 Kings 23:24; Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6,27 (all H; on last two compare Acts 16:16 and Dr^{Deuteronomy 18:11}), Deuteronomy 18:11("" אוֺב + דֹּרֵשׁ אֶלהַֿמֵּתִים).

Word Origin: Derived from the root יָדַע (yada), meaning "to know."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The corresponding Greek term in the Septuagint for יִדְּעֹנִי is often related to the Greek word γόης (G1109), which refers to a sorcerer or enchanter. This term similarly denotes individuals who engage in magical practices or claim to have special knowledge through supernatural means.

Usage: The term יִדְּעֹנִי is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe individuals who practice necromancy or divination, often in conjunction with other forms of forbidden spiritual practices. It is typically mentioned in contexts where such practices are condemned.

Context: The term יִדְּעֹנִי appears in several passages within the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the context of prohibitions against engaging in occult practices. In Leviticus 19:31, the Israelites are commanded, "Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God." Similarly, Leviticus 20:6 warns, "If anyone turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people." These passages highlight the seriousness with which such practices were viewed, as they were seen as a direct violation of the covenant relationship with God.

In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, the practice of consulting יִדְּעֹנִי is listed among other abominable practices, such as child sacrifice and witchcraft, which are strictly forbidden for the people of Israel. The text states, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD."

The term is also mentioned in 2 Kings 21:6 and 2 Chronicles 33:6, where King Manasseh's engagement in such practices is cited as part of his evil deeds, leading to the downfall of Judah. Isaiah 8:19 further warns against seeking guidance from the dead, urging the people to seek God instead: "When they say to you, 'Consult the mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter,' should not a people consult their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?"

הַ֠יִּדְּעֹנִים הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֖י הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֖ים הַיִּדְּעֹנִֽים׃ הידעני הידענים הידענים׃ וְיִדְּעֹנִ֑ים וְיִדְּעֹנִ֔י וְיִדְּעוֹנִ֑י וידעוני וידעני וידענים יִדְּעֹנִ֖י ידעני haiyiddeoNi haiyiddeoNim hay·yid·də·‘ō·nî hay·yid·də·‘ō·nîm hayyiddə‘ōnî hayyiddə‘ōnîm veyiddeoNi veyiddeoNim wə·yid·də·‘ō·nî wə·yid·də·‘ō·nîm wə·yid·də·‘ō·w·nî wəyiddə‘ōnî wəyiddə‘ōnîm wəyiddə‘ōwnî yid·də·‘ō·nî yiddə‘ōnî yiddeoNiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts