3434. Moloch

Lexicon

Moloch: Moloch

Original Word: Μολόχ
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Moloch
Pronunciation: mo-LOKH
Phonetic Spelling: (mol-okh')
Definition: Moloch
Meaning: Moloch, a god worshipped by several Semitic peoples.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Moloch.

Of Hebrew origin (Molek); Moloch (i.e. Molek), an idol -- Moloch.

see HEBREW Molek

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Molek
Definition
Moloch, the god of the Ammonites
NASB Translation
Moloch (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3434: Μολόχ

Μολόχ, ὁ (Hebrew מֹלֶך, מִלְכֹּם, also מַלְכָּם; cf. Gesenius, Thesaurus, ii., p. 794f), indeclinable, Moloch, name of the idol-god of the Ammonites, to which human victims, particularly young children, were offered in sacrifice. According to the description in the Jalkut ((Rashi (Vulg. Jarchi)) on Jeremiah 7:(31)), its image was a hollow brazen figure, with the head of an ox, and outstretched human arms. It was heated red-hot by fire from within, and the little ones placed in its arms to be slowly burned, while to prevent their parents from hearing their dying cries the sacrificing-priests beat drums (see γηννα): Acts 7:43 from Amos 5:26 the Sept., where Hebrew מַלְכְּכֶם, which ought to have been translated βασιλέως ὑμῶν, i. e. of your idol. Cf. Winers RWB, under the word, Moloch; J. G. Müller in Herzog ix. 714f; Merx in Schenkel see 194f; (BB. DD. under the words Molech, Moloch; Winers Grammar, Robertson Smith in Encyc. Brit. edition 9, under the word; Baudissin, Jahve et Moloch etc. and especially in Herzog 2 vol. 10:168-178).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Hebrew מֹלֶךְ (Molek), which is related to the root word מֶלֶךְ (melek), meaning "king."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H4432: מֹלֶךְ (Molek) • Refers to the Canaanite deity associated with child sacrifice.
• H4428: מֶלֶךְ (melek) • Meaning "king," often used in a general sense but related to the name Molek.

Usage: The term Μολόχ is used in the New Testament to refer to the idolatrous practices condemned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of child sacrifice. It appears in Acts 7:43, where Stephen, in his speech before the Sanhedrin, references the Israelites' idolatry.

Context: Moloch, also spelled Molech, is a deity mentioned in the Bible as one of the false gods worshiped by the Israelites during periods of apostasy. The worship of Moloch is characterized by the abominable practice of child sacrifice, where children were passed through fire as offerings. This practice is explicitly condemned in the Old Testament, with God warning the Israelites against adopting the detestable customs of the surrounding nations (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5).

In the New Testament, Moloch is mentioned in Acts 7:43, where Stephen, addressing the Jewish leaders, recounts the history of Israel's rebellion against God. He cites the worship of Moloch as an example of their idolatry: "You took along the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore, I will send you into exile beyond Babylon" (BSB). This reference underscores the persistent temptation of idolatry faced by the Israelites and serves as a warning against turning away from the worship of the one true God.

The worship of Moloch is often associated with the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), a place near Jerusalem where such sacrifices were believed to have occurred. The abhorrence of this practice is reflected in the strong language used by the prophets and the severe penalties prescribed in the Mosaic Law for those who engaged in it.

Forms and Transliterations

Μολοχ Μολόχ Μολὸχ μολόχη μολύνσεως Moloch Molóch

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 7:43 N
GRK: σκηνὴν τοῦ Μολόχ καὶ τὸ
NAS: ALONG THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH AND THE STAR
KJV: the tabernacle of Moloch, and
INT: tabernacle of Moloch and the

Strong's Greek 3434
1 Occurrence

Μολόχ — 1 Occ.