Are ghosts real? While it is true the term “ghosts” is mentioned in the KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, NLT, LEB, NET and NIV Bible versions, the answer to our question depends upon one’s definition of a ghost. Some have defined ghost as a spirit or an evil spirit. Others believe that a ghost is the spirit of a person who has died and then returns to haunt. This article will reveal that ghosts are real, if the definition of a ghost is a “spirit” being which is either good or evil. What follows provides a biblical definition of ghost in different Bible versions with multiple examples. Definition of Ghost In the Bible Different Hebrew and Greek words are translated as “ghost” by different Bible versions. The definitions of “ghost” range from “divine being,” “spirit,” “disembodied dead person,” to “an apparition.” The King James Bible uses the word “ghost” the most of all modern Bibles – 109 times. The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) uses “ghost” the fewest number of times – once. Ghost In the King James Bible The primary reason the King James Bible uses “ghost” 109 times is that the meaning of the word “ghost” in 1611 was “spirit.” Consequently, Holy Spirit is translated as “Holy Ghost” ninety times in the King James Bible. Nineteen times the King James Bible uses “ghost” in other ways. The KJV also uses “ghost” to communicate that someone breathed their last breath at the moment of death. This occurs eleven times in the Old Testament. Eight times in the New Testament, “ghost” was used in the phrase “gave up the ghost” or in a similar statement (Genesis 25:8, 17; 35:29; 49:33; Job 3:11; 10:18; 11:20; 13:19; 14:10; Jeremiah 15:9; Lamentations 1:19; Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37, 39; Luke 23:46; John 19:30; Acts 5:5, 10; 12:23). That is, the KJV Bible never uses the term “ghost” in connection with a spirit or the spirit of a man. Ghost In Other Bible Versions A total of five Hebrew words and Greek words are translated as “ghost.” The three Hebrew words are elohim, itti and ob.” The two Greek words are phantasma and pneuma. Explanations of these verses will occur below. In summary, if we ignore the KJV, the most common biblical definition of ghost is equivalent to “spirit” or” “apparition.” Ghosts In the Old Testament In the Old Testament there are three passages in which three words are used for “ghost,” “ghostly” and “ghostlike.” But none of the passages prove that ghosts exist, Each passage refers to ghosts or ghost like behavior in order to communicate to the people to which the messages are written. Saul and the Medium of Endor — 1 Samuel 28:13 The first example of the word “ghost” appearing in the Old Testament is found in 1 Samuel 28:13 in the NIV. It is about a seance which is attended by King Saul and the medium or the witch of Endor. The ghostly figure is Samuel. Here is 1 Samuel 28:11-15. Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” “Bring up Samuel,” he said. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure coming up out of the earth.” “What does he look like?” he asked. “An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” . . . 1 Samuel 28:11-15 (NIV) In this example the prophet Samuel has died and King Saul wants to speak to him. As a result, Saul visited a medium in an attempt to speak with Samuel. However, the medium was surprised when Samuel actually came up out of the ground. The spirit of Samuel is described as a “divine being coming up out of the earth.” The Hebrew word for “ghostly” in the NIV is elohim.1 The NASB translates the word as “divine being.” In summary, the witch of Endor was surprised that this occurred. Therefore, we cannot conclude that the Bible endorses and teaches that seances are real and result in ghostly appearances of dead people. It appears that she did not expect this to occur. Egyptians Will Consult Ghosts of the Dead — Isaiah 19:3 A second example of the word “ghost” in the Old Testament is in Isaiah 19:3 in the NASB. Here is Isaiah 19:1-4, The oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt; The idols of Egypt will tremble at His presence, And the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them. So I will incite Egyptians against Egyptians; And they will each fight against his brother and each against his neighbor, City against city and kingdom against kingdom. Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be demoralized within them; And I will confound their strategy, So that they will resort to idols and ghosts of the dead And to mediums and spiritists. Moreover, I will deliver the Egyptians into the hand of a cruel master, And a mighty king will rule over them,” declares the Lord GOD of...