Article May 23, 1970 Issue

Words of Current Interest

The words in this issue are related to the Lesson-Sermon in the CHRISTIAN SCIENCE QUARTERLY designated to be read in Christian Science churches on May 31, 1970.

There is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel (Num. 23:23)

The word here translated "against" can also mean "with" or "in," so the passage could be understood as affirming that Jacob (or the Israelites) practiced neither enchantment nor divination. Therefore McNeile renders this same verse, "Divination is not in Jacob and soothsaying is not in Israel," adding that "this appears to explain Israel's victorious strength by the fact that they were free from these heathen practices."

There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer (Deut. 18:10, 11)

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