Topical Bible: Children: Caused to Pass Through Fire

◄ Children: Caused to Pass Through Fire ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The practice of causing children to pass through fire is a ritual associated with ancient pagan worship, particularly in the context of idolatry condemned in the Old Testament. This practice is most notably linked to the worship of the Canaanite deity Molech, a god to whom children were sacrificed by fire. The Bible explicitly condemns this practice as an abomination and a grave sin against God.

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 the Holiness Code, where God commands the Israelites to maintain purity and holiness, explicitly forbidding the sacrifice of children to Molech.

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 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.’" This passage underscores the severity of the crime and the communal responsibility to uphold God's commandments.

3. Deuteronomy 18:10 · "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft." Here, the practice is listed among other forbidden activities, emphasizing its incompatibility with the worship of Yahweh.

4. 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 King Josiah's reforms, where he destroyed the places associated with such practices, demonstrating a return to covenant faithfulness.

5. Jeremiah 7:31 · "They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I did not command, nor did it enter My mind." The prophet Jeremiah condemns the people for engaging in practices that are utterly foreign to God's will.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The practice of child sacrifice, particularly through fire, was prevalent among several ancient Near Eastern cultures. The Israelites, surrounded by these cultures, were repeatedly warned by God through the Law and the prophets to avoid such detestable practices. The Valley of Ben Hinnom, also known as Gehenna, became synonymous with judgment and destruction due to its association with these sacrifices.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the command against causing children to pass through fire underscores the sanctity of life and the abhorrence of idolatry. It reflects God's desire for His people to be distinct from surrounding nations, devoted solely to Him, and to uphold justice and righteousness. The practice is seen as a direct violation of the first commandment, which prohibits the worship of other gods.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

The biblical prohibition against child sacrifice highlights the value God places on human life, particularly the lives of the innocent and vulnerable. It serves as a stark reminder of the moral and ethical standards expected of God's people, calling them to protect and nurture children rather than exploit or harm them.

In summary, the biblical injunctions against causing children to pass through fire serve as a powerful testament to God's holiness, the sanctity of life, and the call for His people to live in obedience and faithfulness, distinct from the idolatrous practices of the nations around them.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 16:3
But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yes, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 32:35
And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 16:21
That you have slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Escape from Egypt
... upon the lintel and on the two door posts, he will pass over the ... "When your children
shall say ... sea, and Jehovah by means of a strong east wind caused the sea ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the escape from egypt.htm

Psalm LXXXI.
... augmentation; because, "Many are the children of her ... the people multiplied through
Joseph, he was caused to pass ... For they are baptized and pass through the Red ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxi.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... Jesus satisfied four thousand men, besides women and children, with five ... of Israel
from uncleanness; and Jesus cleansed and caused to pass away uncleanness ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

Strong Christians.
... unbelief and indifference of these days is caused by the ... spoke of another steamer
which would pass by in ... heroine faced the fire, and saved the other children. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lvi strong christians.htm

Under the Three Pastors, --There were Manifold Shepherds
... and multiplied the disgrace of his father."But the Cross caused to pass away the ...
next in his plain sayings,"gave victual to his children;"the third in ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiv under the three.htm

Light through Darkness
... the fathers into the bosom of their children after them ... commandedst them to do:
therefore Thou hast caused all this ... Thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 38 light through darkness.htm

Infant Salvation
... up their little infants to Moloch, having caused them to pass through the fire,
and he says of these little ones, "Thou hast slain lay children, and delivered ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/infant salvation.htm

Jerome Savonarola (Ad 1452-1498)
... judgment which he had shown in setting children to search ... that the champions should
try to pass between the ... by the wearisome squabble which had caused the delay ...
/.../chapter xxviii jerome savonarola ad.htm

A Psalm of Remembrance
... love of his own heart, and is not caused by anything ... I am sure God never turns his
children out of ... And I have had to pass through severe personal bodily pain. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a psalm of remembrance.htm

A Kingdom's Epitaph
... and of the kings of Israel, which they had made.9. And the children of Israel did ...
And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm