The practice of offering children to idols is one of the most grievous sins depicted in the Bible, representing a profound violation of the sanctity of life and the moral order established by God. This practice is often associated with the worship of false gods and is explicitly condemned throughout Scripture.

Biblical Condemnation

The Bible unequivocally condemns the sacrifice of children to idols, particularly in the context of ancient Near Eastern religions. One of the most notorious deities associated with this practice is Molech, a god worshiped by the Ammonites. The Israelites were explicitly warned against adopting such abominable practices. In Leviticus 18:21, the Lord commands, "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" .

The severity of this sin is further emphasized in Leviticus 20:2-5, where God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that anyone who sacrifices their children to Molech must be put to death. This passage underscores the gravity of the offense and the necessity of purging such evil from the community to maintain holiness and obedience to God.

Historical Instances

Despite these clear prohibitions, there are instances in the Bible where the Israelites fell into the sin of child sacrifice. One of the most tragic examples is found during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. In 2 Kings 16:3, it is recorded that Ahaz "walked in the way of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites" . This act of apostasy led to severe consequences for the nation.

Another significant instance is during the reign of King Manasseh, who is described in 2 Kings 21:6 as having "sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger" . Manasseh's actions contributed to the eventual downfall of Judah and its exile.

Prophetic Denunciations

The prophets of Israel frequently denounced the practice of child sacrifice, highlighting it as a symbol of the nation's unfaithfulness and moral decay. Jeremiah, in particular, speaks against this atrocity. In Jeremiah 7:31, the prophet declares, "They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire, something I did not command, nor did it enter My mind" . This passage reflects God's abhorrence of such practices and His desire for His people to turn away from idolatry and return to Him.

Ezekiel also condemns the practice, emphasizing the betrayal of the covenant relationship between God and His people. In Ezekiel 16:20-21, God laments through the prophet, "You took your sons and daughters, whom you bore to Me, and sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough? You slaughtered My children and delivered them up through the fire to idols" .

Moral and Theological Implications

The offering of children to idols is not only a violation of the commandment against idolatry but also a profound affront to the inherent dignity and value of human life. Children are viewed in Scripture as a blessing from the Lord, entrusted to parents to be raised in the knowledge and fear of God. The act of sacrificing them to idols represents a complete inversion of this divine mandate.

Furthermore, this practice underscores the destructive nature of idolatry, which leads individuals and nations away from the worship of the one true God and into moral and spiritual darkness. The biblical narrative consistently portrays such acts as leading to divine judgment and the eventual downfall of those who persist in them.

In summary, the inhuman practice of offering children to idols is a stark reminder of the depths of human depravity when separated from God's truth and guidance. The Bible's condemnation of this practice serves as a call to uphold the sanctity of life and to remain faithful to the covenant relationship with God.2 Kings 17:31
And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 28:3
Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 33:6
And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he worked much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*]
... The result of this one practice on the morals ... evidently not necessity but a cold
inhuman calculation of ... own hand destroyed her first three children successively ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/iii the city of the.htm

A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ...
... all, they often congratulate them, a practice which is ... For as an inhuman mistress,
and harsh tyrant, and ... innate virtue of the three children captives, bondmen ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/a treatise to prove that.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... paternal ancestors, upon whom, in their practice of every ... all men by the excellence
of their children. ... to the philanthropic, and threats against the inhuman. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
A Source Book for Ancient Church History. <. ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... If then I have been trained to this practice, and this evil tree has indeed its
roots ... Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege"--that is perjury? ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... by nightly meetings and solemn feasts and inhuman meats"not ... at a banquet with all
their children, their sisters ... gods, and that the worship of idols was absurd ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... at this time, but they observed the practice, which from ... For even on earth children
do not rightly and lawfully ... The reference to offering at the end of ch.10 ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... wolves both as to doctrine and as to practice too ... sake comes the wrath of God upon
the children of disobedience ... Some, indeed, swear by idols, as by the mass, by ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

part ii
... yourself of My gifts, not separately as self-lovers, but as My children, who should
have everything in common; not grudging, but freely offering unto others ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

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