4 myths
Myths, legends, and mystical writings about Divination from across Jewish tradition.
4 myths on JewishMythology.com retell how Jewish tradition imagines divination, drawn from the Hebrew Bible, Midrash, Talmud, Kabbalah, and later Jewish literature. Each story below synthesizes primary sources into a single narrative; follow any myth to read it, and from there into the source passages behind it.
A planted goblet, a caravan overtaken at dawn, a viceroy claiming to read secrets from silver. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan insists Joseph used the cup.
Egyptian priests whispered into sacred lambs and a demon answered with omens, until Israel was told to bind that lamb and cut its throat.
A gentile seer who could gaze on the Shekhinah shoves past his servants at dawn to saddle his own donkey, so hungry is his hatred for Israel.
Before Balak hired Balaam he had his own oracle. A golden bird fitted with a rare tongue. Seven days of offerings, one prick, and it spoke.
