Topical Bible: Abomination to God: Offering Seed to Molech

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The practice of offering seed to Molech is explicitly condemned in the Bible as an abomination to God. This act is primarily associated with the ancient Canaanite deity Molech, to whom children were sacrificed in a ritualistic manner. The offering of one's offspring to Molech is mentioned in several passages, highlighting its severity and the divine prohibition against it.

Biblical References:

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." This verse is part of a larger section in Leviticus that outlines various laws and moral codes for the Israelites. The commandment against sacrificing children to Molech is presented as a direct violation of God's holiness and a profanation of His name.

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 Myself 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 clan. I will cut off from among their people both him and all who follow him in prostituting themselves to Molech.’" This passage underscores the seriousness of the crime and the communal responsibility to uphold God's commandments. The penalty for such an act is death, emphasizing the gravity of the offense.

3. 2 Kings 23:10 : "He also desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech." This verse refers to the reforms of King Josiah, who sought to eradicate idolatrous practices from Judah. By desecrating Topheth, Josiah aimed to put an end to the abominable practice of child sacrifice.

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 had never commanded—nor had it entered My mind—that they should do such a detestable thing and so cause Judah to sin." Here, the prophet Jeremiah condemns the people of Judah for engaging in practices that God had never sanctioned. The offering of children to Molech is described as a detestable act that leads the nation into sin.

Cultural and Religious Context:

The worship of Molech and the associated practice of child sacrifice were prevalent among some ancient Near Eastern cultures, including the Canaanites. The Israelites, upon entering the Promised Land, were repeatedly warned against adopting the idolatrous customs of the surrounding nations. The offering of seed to Molech was not only a violation of the sanctity of life but also a direct affront to the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Theological Implications:

The prohibition against offering seed to Molech highlights the sanctity of life and the exclusive worship that God demands from His people. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of idolatry and the importance of adhering to God's commandments. The repeated emphasis on this prohibition throughout the Scriptures underscores its significance in the moral and spiritual life of the Israelite community.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 18:21
And you shall not let any of your seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
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