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Bible > Topical > Molech◄ Molech ►Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • TermsTopical EncyclopediaIntroduction: Molech, also spelled Moloch, is a deity associated with the ancient Near Eastern practice of child sacrifice. The worship of Molech is explicitly condemned in the Hebrew Bible, where it is depicted as a grave sin against the God of Israel. The name "Molech" is often associated with the Ammonites, a people who lived east of the Jordan River.Biblical References: Molech is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, primarily in the context of prohibitions against his worship. The practice of sacrificing children to Molech is described as an abomination and is strictly forbidden by God.1. Leviticus 18:21 : "You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD."2. Leviticus 20:2-5 : "Tell the Israelites, 'Any Israelite or foreigner residing in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the land are to stone him. I will set My face against that man and cut him off from his people, because he has given his offspring to Molech, defiling My sanctuary and profaning My holy name. And if the people of the land ever hide their eyes from that man when he gives any of his children to Molech, and they fail to put him to death, then I will set My face against that man and his family and cut off from their people both him and all who follow him in prostituting themselves with Molech.'"3. 2 Kings 23:10 : "He also desecrated Topheth, which is in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech."4. Jeremiah 32:35 : "They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech, though I never commanded—nor did it even enter My mind—that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin."Historical and Cultural Context: Molech worship is believed to have involved the ritual sacrifice of children, often by fire. This practice was not unique to the Israelites' neighbors but was part of a broader Canaanite religious system that included various deities and rituals. The Valley of Ben Hinnom, also known as Gehenna, is frequently associated with these sacrifices, and it later became a symbol of divine judgment and hell in Jewish and Christian thought.Theological Significance: The worship of Molech represents a direct violation of the first commandment, which demands exclusive allegiance to the God of Israel. The practice of child sacrifice is seen as the ultimate form of idolatry and a profound moral corruption. It is portrayed as a betrayal of the covenant relationship between God and His people, leading to severe consequences for those who engage in it.Molech in Later Jewish and Christian Thought: In later Jewish literature, Molech became a symbol of idolatry and moral depravity. The association of the Valley of Ben Hinnom with child sacrifice contributed to its use as a metaphor for hell in the New Testament. The condemnation of Molech worship serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the rejection of all forms of idolatry.Conclusion: The biblical injunctions against Molech worship underscore the seriousness with which God views the sanctity of life and the exclusive worship due to Him alone. The historical and theological implications of Molech worship continue to serve as a powerful warning against the dangers of idolatry and moral compromise.Hitchcock's Bible Names DictionaryMolechMoloch, kingSmith's Bible DictionaryMolech(king). The fire-god Molech was the tutelary deity of the children of Ammon, and essentially identical with the Moabitish Chemosh. Fire-gods appear to have been common to all the Canaanite, Syrian and Arab tribes, who worshipped the destructive element under an outward symbol, with the most inhuman rites. According to Jewish tradition, the image of Molech was of brass, hollow within, and was situated without Jerusalem. "His face was (that) of a calf, and his hands stretched forth like a man who opens his hands to receive (something) of his neighbor. And they kindled it with fire, and the priests took the babe and put it into the hands of Molech, and the babe gave up the ghost." Many instances of human sacrifices are found in ancient writers, which may be compared with the description of the Old Testament of the manner in which Molech was worshipped. Molech was the lord and master of the Ammonites; their country was his possession, (Jeremiah 49:1) as Moab was the heritage of Chemosh; the princes of the land were the princes of Malcham. (Jeremiah 49:3; Amos 1:15) His priests were men of rank, (Jeremiah 49:3) taking precedence of the princes. The priests of Molech, like those of other idols, were called Chemarim. (2 Kings 23:5; Hosea 10:5; Zephaniah 1:4)Webster's Revised Unabridged Dicti...

Topical Bible: Molech