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
