Bible Discussion Thread

Moloch, also spelled Molech, a Canaanite deity associated in biblical sources with the practice of CHILD SACRIFICE. The name derives from combining the consonants of the Hebrew melech (king) with the vowels of boshet (shame), the latter often being used in the O.T. as a variant name for the popular god Baal.

In the Hebrew Bible, Moloch is presented as a foreign deity who was at times illegitimately given a place in Israel's worship as a result of the policies of certain apostate kings. The laws given to Moses by God expressly forbade the Jews to do what was done in Egypt or in Canaan. YOU SHALL NOT give any of your children to devote them by fire to Moloch, and so profane the name of God ( Leviticus 18:21). Yet kings such as Ahaz ( 2 Kings 16:3) and Manasseh ( 2 Kings 21:6), having been influenced by the Assyrians, are reported to have worshipped Moloch at the hilled site of Topheth, outside the walls of Jerusalem. This site flourished under Manasseh's son King Amon but was destroyed during the reign of Josiah, the reformer. "And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the sons of Hinnom, that no one might burn his son or his daughter as an offering to Moloch" ( 2 Kings 23:10).

Leviticus 20: 2-5

Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed (children) unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. And I will set my face against THAT MAN and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.

And IF THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND IN ANY WAY HIDE THEIR EYES from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not:

Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a WHORING after him, to to commit whoredom with Molech.

Mishael