7332 child sacrifice
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7332 child sacrifice

Child sacrifice is unconditionally condemned in Scripture. The few cases in which it is known to have taken place are probably due to the influence of Israel's pagan neighbours.

Laws forbidding child sacrifice

Leviticus 18:21 Molech was the god of the Ammonites. See also Exodus 22:29 to be interpreted with reference to Ex 13:12-16 and Ex 34:19,22; Deuteronomy 18:10

Instances of child sacrifice

2 Kings 3:27; Kings 16:3 pp 2 Chronicles 28:3; 2 Kings 17:17,31; Kings 21:6 pp 2 Chronicles 33:6; 2 Kings 23:10 Josiah's reforms involved desecrating Topheth, where child sacrifices were offered; Isaiah 57:5; Jeremiah 7:31

Arguments against child sacrifice

Child sacrifice is the idolatrous practice of the nations

Deuteronomy 12:31 See also Leviticus 20:2-5; Psalm 106:35-38; Jeremiah 32:35; Hosea 13:2

It defiles God's people

Ezekiel 20:26 See also Ezekiel 20:31

It defiles God's sanctuary

Ezekiel 23:37,39

It incurs God's anger

Jeremiah 19:4-5; Ezekiel 16:20-21,36-37; Hosea 13:2

God's unique command to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac

Genesis 22:1-2 This was a test of obedience for Abraham. The following verses dispel any idea that God desires human sacrifice; Hebrews 11:17

These verses may allude to the story of Abraham and Isaac, especially Ge 22:16:

John 3:16; Romans 8:32

See also

1025  God, anger of
7435  sacrifice, in OT
8466  reformation
8747  false gods
8752  false worship
8768  idolatry



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