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What the Bible Says About Molech

Overview

The Bible addresses molech across 27 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Kings, Ezekiel and Leviticus. Closely related themes include Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God, Solomon, Idolatry and Ammonites, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Solomon and David.

Key Bible verses about molech

Old Testament

Leviticus

Leviticus 18:21

And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. Molech: Gr. Moloch

Leviticus 20:2

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 unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.

Leviticus 20:3

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.

Leviticus 20:4

And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not:

Leviticus 20:5

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 commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.

1 Kings

1 Kings 11:1

But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; together: or, beside

1 Kings 11:2

Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

1 Kings 11:3

And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

1 Kings 11:4

For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

1 Kings 11:5

For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

1 Kings 11:6

And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. went: Heb. fulfilled not after

1 Kings 11:7

Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

1 Kings 11:8

And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 16:20

Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, to be: Heb. to devour

Ezekiel 16:21

That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?

Ezekiel 20:26

And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 20:31

For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

Ezekiel 23:37

That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.

Ezekiel 23:39

For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house.

People in the Bible and molech

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying molech for yourself

  • Begin with Leviticus 18:21, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how 1 Kings, Ezekiel and Leviticus each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Solomon and David and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God, Solomon, Idolatry and Ammonites, the.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about molech?

The Bible addresses molech across 27 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Kings, Ezekiel and Leviticus. Closely related themes include Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God, Solomon, Idolatry and Ammonites, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Solomon and David.

How many Bible verses are about molech?

The Bible references molech in 27 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention molech?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Leviticus 18:21: “And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. Molech: Gr. Moloch”

Which people in the Bible are associated with molech?

Solomon and David.

Preach & teach

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