What Does the Bible Say About Palm Reading?

The Old Testament contains several verses that condemn divination and fortune telling. The most famous is Deuteronomy 18:10-12, which says:

"Let no one be found among you who... practices divination, 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 palm reading is a form of divination, many Christians interpret this verse as a prohibition against it. The logic is straightforward: if divination is forbidden, and palm reading is divination, then palm reading is forbidden.

Some scholars argue that the verse refers to specific Canaanite practices, not to all forms of fortune telling. The distinction is debated.

The New Testament is less explicit about divination. It does not list it as a sin in the same way the Old Testament does.

However, Acts 16:16-18 tells the story of a slave girl who had a "spirit of divination." Paul casts the spirit out of her. This is sometimes interpreted as a condemnation of all forms of divination.

Jesus himself is not recorded as discussing divination. His focus was on faith, love, and following God. The New Testament generally shifts focus from external practices to internal faith.

Some Christians argue that the New Testament's silence means that divination is a matter of conscience, not a clear sin. Others see the Old Testament prohibition as still binding.

Christian interpretations of these verses vary widely. Here are the main perspectives.

The strict view: Divination is forbidden in all forms. Palm reading is a form of divination. Therefore, palm reading is a sin.

The moderate view: Divination that seeks supernatural power is forbidden. Harmless entertainment is not. Palm reading for fun is not sinful.

The liberal view: The verses refer to specific pagan practices. Palm reading is not what the Bible was forbidding. It is a cultural practice, not a spiritual one.

The Catholic view: The Church has no official position on palm reading. Individual Catholics should use their conscience.