Bible Dictionary
CONSULT
To consult is to ask, inquire, seek advice, or deliberate about a course of action. Scripture uses the word for seeking counsel from others, planning together, or wrongly consulting forbidden spiritual powers.
Definition
To consult means to ask, inquire, seek advice, deliberate, plan, or make up one’s mind. It may involve consultation with others or private consideration.
Biblical Usage
Scripture describes kings and officials consulting together, Nehemiah consulting with himself, and a king considering whether he can wage war. It also warns against consulting familiar spirits.
Historical Background
The biblical usage ranges from ordinary inquiry and political planning to forbidden attempts to obtain guidance through familiar spirits.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kon-sult' (sha'al, malakh, ya`ats (Aramaic) ye`aT; sumbouleuomai):</p><p>(1) "To ask," "inquire," "seek advice." Ezekiel speaks of the king of Babylonian consulting the teraphim (Eze 21:21) and the Israelites were admonished to have noting to do with "a consulter with a familiar spirit" (De 18:11).</p><p>See ASTROLOGY; COMMUNION WITH DEMONS; DIVINATION.</p><p>(2) "To take counsel," "devise," "plan." The various officials of Babylon "consulted together to establish a royal statute" (Da 6:7; compare Mt 26:4).</p><p>(3) "To deliberate with one's self," "make up one's mind." Nehemiah consulted with himself as to what might be done for Jerusalem (Ne 5:7). Jesus spoke of a king "consulting" (the King James Version) whether he be able to wage a war (Lu 14:31; the Revised Version (British and American) "take counsel").</p><p>A. W. Fortune</p>