Topical Encyclopedia The practice of offering children in sacrifice is repeatedly condemned in the Bible as an abomination to God. This heinous act is associated with the worship of false gods and is explicitly prohibited in the laws given to the Israelites. The Bible portrays child sacrifice as a grave sin that defiles the land and provokes the wrath of God.Biblical Prohibitions and Condemnations 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, which outlines various laws intended to set the Israelites apart from other nations. The sacrifice of children to Molech, a Canaanite deity, is strictly forbidden as it desecrates God's holy name. 2. Deuteronomy 12:31 · "You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods." Here, the Israelites are warned against adopting the abominable practices of the nations they are displacing, specifically the burning of children as offerings. 3. 2 Kings 17:17 · "They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sought omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger." This passage describes the sins of the Israelites that led to their exile, highlighting child sacrifice as a key factor in their downfall. 4. 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 of Judah for engaging in child sacrifice, emphasizing that such acts are utterly foreign to God's will. Historical Context and Cultural Practices Child sacrifice was a practice among several ancient Near Eastern cultures, often associated with the worship of deities like Molech and Baal. These rituals were believed to secure favor or avert disaster. The Bible's strong denunciation of child sacrifice reflects its role as a boundary marker between the worship of Yahweh and the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. Theological Implications The offering of children in sacrifice is depicted as a violation of the sanctity of life and a profound betrayal of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It is an act that not only defiles the individual but also the community and the land. The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as a deity who values life and justice, standing in stark contrast to the capricious and cruel demands of pagan gods. Prophetic Denunciations Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel frequently denounce child sacrifice, linking it to the broader themes of idolatry and social injustice. In Ezekiel 16:20-21, God laments, "You took your sons and daughters, whom you bore to Me, and sacrificed them as food to the idols. Was your prostitution not enough? You slaughtered My children and delivered them up through the fire to idols." Moral and Ethical Teachings The biblical condemnation of child sacrifice underscores the value of human life and the importance of worshiping God in truth and righteousness. It serves as a powerful reminder of the ethical demands placed upon God's people, calling them to reject practices that dehumanize and destroy. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 18:10There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Nave's Topical Index Library The Only Atoning Priest Worship Book 2 Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's ... The Infallibility of God's Purpose Oration on the Palms. The Great Privilege of those that are Born of God Letter xix. --(For 347. ) Coss. Rufinus, Eusebius; Pr??f. The Same ... Fruits and the Two Works. Covenanting According to the Purposes of God. Resources What is an abomination? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the abomination of desolation? | GotQuestions.org What is the Queen James Bible? | GotQuestions.org Abomination: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Abomination to God: Lying With a Woman in Her Menses Abomination to God: Offering Children in Sacrifice Abomination to God: Offering Seed to Molech Abomination to God: Sorcery and Necromancy Abomination to God: The Hire of a Whore and Price of a Dog, As a Consecrated Gift Abomination to God: Uncleanness Abomination to God: Unjust Weights and Measures Abomination: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Related Terms |
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