Topical Bible: Offerings: Human Sacrifices: Offered to Demons

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Human sacrifices, particularly those offered to demons, are a grievous practice condemned throughout the Scriptures. The Bible provides numerous accounts and warnings against such abominable acts, which were prevalent among the pagan nations surrounding Israel. These sacrifices were often associated with idolatry and the worship of false gods, which the Bible equates with the worship of demons.

Biblical Condemnation

The practice of human sacrifice is explicitly condemned in the Mosaic Law. In Leviticus 18:21, the Israelites are commanded, "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 command underscores the sanctity of life and the holiness of God's name, which is defiled by such acts.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 further warns, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD." Here, human sacrifice is listed among other detestable practices, emphasizing its association with demonic activities.

Historical Instances

Despite these clear prohibitions, there are instances in the biblical narrative where the Israelites fell into the sin of human sacrifice. In 2 Kings 16:3, King Ahaz is described as having "walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, following the detestable ways of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites." This act of apostasy is a stark example of the influence of surrounding pagan cultures.

Another tragic account is found in 2 Kings 21:6, where King Manasseh "sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination and sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger." Manasseh's reign is marked by a return to idolatry and the revival of practices that were abhorrent to God.

Association with Demons

The Bible makes a direct connection between idolatry and the worship of demons. In Psalm 106:37-38, it is written, "They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood." This passage highlights the spiritual reality behind idol worship, identifying the idols as demons who demand such horrific offerings.

The Apostle Paul reiterates this connection in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 10:20, he warns, "No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons." Paul’s admonition serves as a reminder to the early Christians of the spiritual dangers associated with idolatry and the demonic nature of pagan sacrifices.

Theological Implications

The offering of human sacrifices to demons represents a profound rebellion against God’s created order and His commandments. It is a perversion of the sacrificial system established by God, which was intended to point to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The shedding of innocent blood in such sacrifices is a direct affront to the sanctity of life, which is a gift from God.

Throughout Scripture, God’s people are called to worship Him alone and to reject all forms of idolatry and demonic practices. The biblical narrative consistently portrays human sacrifice as a grave sin that leads to divine judgment and calls for repentance and a return to the worship of the one true God.

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Psalm 106:37,38
Yes, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to devils,
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Library

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... These sacrifices were divided into three parts: for one ... the wine of their
drink-offerings." Secondly, in ... might abhor the shedding of human blood; wherefore ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... of mind or of body was expiated by sin-offerings. ... of which, in likeness of His human
nature, was ... At their consecration the following sacrifices were offered: a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Let us See what Celsus Further Says of God...
... called idol offerings, or, still better, offerings to demons ... offered to commemorate
some human events, or ... offering up continually bloodless sacrifices in prayer ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxi let us see.htm

Paul a Prisoner
... These freewill offerings betokened the loyalty of the Gentile ... of God, and in their
human wisdom attempted ... talking with a priest concerning the sacrifices to be ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 38 paul a prisoner.htm

His Past Work.
... And what human mind can estimate the wonderful results of His ... These sacrifices could
not take away sin ... In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sins Thou hadst no ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/i his past work.htm

Letter cii. (AD 409. )
... or rejection or appropriation of these offerings, He considers the ... that such affections
of the human heart spring ... God), but the offering of sacrifices to false ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cii a d 409.htm

Period ii. The Post-Apostolic Age: AD 100-AD 140
... it said that their prayers and sacrifices offered in every ... for God had been manifested
in human form for ... God does not need man's material offerings, since we ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period ii the post-apostolic age .htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... the Gentiles, retained the temple, and sacrifices, and altars ... Creator of all, who
required these offerings as a ... on the other hand, say that human bodies are the ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

My Second Year in Benares.
... every day, pay obeisance, and present offerings; but on ... community in some other
form"sacrifices are offered up ... city the greatest assemblage of human beings I ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter ix my second year.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... and gifts made to them"Sacrifices, the expiation ... to have been mostly ex-voto offerings
placed somewhere ... and more especially those splendid human-headed bulls ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm