Witch of Endor

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by Esaias

A few questions:

1. If it was really Samuel, what body does he have? He appears as "an old man in a robe/mantle", and speaks, so obviously he has a body. So what body is it? The resurrection hadn't occurred between his death and his appearance at Endor, so it can't be the resurrection body. So, what body did he have?

2. How come nobody saw him except the witch? Was he hiding in the pantry? Or was she having a vision?

3. If she was having a vision, who gave it to her? The familiar spirit? Or God?

4. If she was having a vision, then doesn't that mean it was a vision, and not the actual dead Samuel back for one more round?

I believe it was a vision given by God to the witch to rebuke Saul. No actual Samuel spirit involved.
The Hebrew behind “hath a familiar spirit”, is better translated as “who is a necromancer”. The context speaks of a “profession” or “ability”, not of a condition as in “who is possessed”.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by coksiw

I believe it was a vision given by God to the witch to rebuke Saul. No actual Samuel spirit involved.
The Hebrew behind “hath a familiar spirit”, is better translated as “who is a necromancer”. The context speaks of a “profession” or “ability”, not of a condition as in “who is possessed”.

I believe the Greek version uses the word "ventriloquist"?

She has an 'ob, and divines by the 'ob. Usually translated familiar spirit. The word apparently means both the spirit power of a Canaanite necromancer or medium, and also the tool they used which if I am not mistaken was either a pot, jar, or wineskin which represented the Underworld and out of which the "elohim" or ancestor-gods would arise to commune with the shaman.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Esaias

I believe the Greek version uses the word "ventriloquist"?

Are you referring to ἐνγαστριμύθους?

Originally Posted by Esaias

She has an 'ob, and divines by the 'ob. Usually translated familiar spirit. The word apparently means both the spirit power of a Canaanite necromancer or medium, and also the tool they used which if I am not mistaken was either a pot, jar, or wineskin which represented the Underworld and out of which the "elohim" or ancestor-gods would arise to commune with the shaman.

Like Joseph?

Genesis 44:5