What is "bibliomancy"

Bibliomancy \Bib"li*o*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ? book + -mancy: cf. F. bibliomancie.] A kind of divination, performed by selecting passages of Scripture at hazard, and drawing from them indications concerning future events.

1753, "divination by opening a book (especially the Bible) at random," the first verse presenting itself being taken as a prognostication of future events, from biblio- + -mancy. In pagan times, Homer (sortes Homericae) and Virgil (sortes Virgilianae) were used.

n. divination by interpreting a passage chosen at random from a book, especially from the Bible.

Bibliomancy is the use of books in divination. The method of employing sacred books (especially specific words and verses) for 'magical medicine', for removing negative entities, or for divination is widespread in many religions of the world.