Hearing the Voices of the Dead in Ancient Israel

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 8 pm EST via Zoom

Hearing the Voices of the Dead in Ancient Israel

Elizabeth Bloch-Smith – Princeton Theological Seminary

“When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isaiah 8:19-20)

The witch of Endor was consulted by Saul to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. This presentation examines the Zeitgeist and theology behind Isaiah 8, where the deceased Samuel speaks to King Saul (1 Samuel 28), and alongside considers tales of the talking dead from Mesopotamia, Hatti (Hittites) and Greece.

Current members of BAF and BASONOVA will receive automatic Zoom links. Non-members must register for this event, at:
https://basonova.org/next-lecture-reservation.html