Difference between revisions of "Witch of Endor"

The '''Witch of Endor''' (Hebrew: בַּעֲלַת־אֹוב בְּעֵין דּוֹר) is a woman who, according to the Hebrew [[Bible]], was consulted by Saul to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. Saul wished to receive advice on defeating the Philistines in battle, after prior attempts to consult [[Yahweh|God]] by throwing lots and other [[divination]] means had failed. However, what is summoned, whether the actual ghost of Samuel or a spirit impersonating him, only delivers a prophecy of doom against Saul.

The woman of the story is called in Biblical Hebrew אֵשֶׁת בַּעֲלַת־אֹוב בְּעֵין דֹּור, "a woman, possessor of an ''’ōḇ'' at 'Endor' (Ein Dor, a location name meaning a circular well or spring). The word אֹ֖וב ''’ōḇ'' has been suggested by Harry A. Hoffner to refer to a ritual pit for summoning the dead from the netherworld, based on parallels in other Near Eastern and Mediterranean cultures. The word has cognates in other regional languages (cf. Sumerian ''ab'', Akkadian ''âbu'', Hittite ''a-a-bi'', Ugaritic ''ib'') and the medium or witch of Endor's ritual has parallels in Babylonian and Hittite [[grimoire|magical texts]] as well as the Odyssey.

When the prophet Samuel dies, he is buried in Ramah (1 Sam 25:1; 28:3). Saul, the king of Israel, seeks advice from [[Yahweh]] in choosing a course of action against the assembled forces of the Philistine army. He receives no answer from dreams, [[prophet]]s, or the [[Urim and Thummim]]. Having previously driven out all [[necromancy|necromancers]] and [[magician]]s from Israel, Saul searches for a [[witch]] anonymously and is told one is living in the village of Endor. Saul disguises himself and crosses through enemy lines to visit her, asking her to raise Samuel. The woman at first refuses, on account of Saul's edict against sorcery, but Saul assures her that she will not be punished.

The woman summons a spirit, and when it appears, she works out who Saul is and screams, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!" Saul assures her that no harm will come to her, and asks what she sees. She says that she sees "elohim" rising. Then, Saul asks what "he" looks like, and she describes an old man wrapped in a robe. Saul bows down to the spirit, but is apparently unable to see it himself. The spirit complains of being disturbed, berates Saul for disobeying God, and predicts Saul's downfall. The living Samuel has already said Saul would have his kingship removed, but this spirit adds that Israel's army will be defeated, and Saul and his sons will be "with me" tomorrow. Saul collapses in terror; the woman comforts him, and prepares him a meal of a fatted calf to restore his strength.

The following day, the Israelite army is defeated as prophesied: Saul is wounded by the Philistines, and commits suicide by falling on his sword. In 1 Chronicles, it is stated that Saul's death was, in part, a punishment for seeking advice from a medium rather than from God.