Topical Encyclopedia
Idolatry in the biblical context often involved the worship of false gods through various abominable practices, one of the most heinous being the sacrifice of children by fire. This practice is explicitly condemned in the Scriptures and is associated with the worship of deities such as Molech, a god of the Ammonites.
Molech WorshipThe worship of Molech is one of the most notorious examples of child sacrifice in the Bible. The Israelites were explicitly warned against this practice. In
Leviticus 18:21 , God 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." This command underscores the severity of the sin, as it not only involves the murder of innocents but also profanes the holy name of God.
Valley of HinnomThe Valley of Hinnom, or Gehenna, became infamous as a site where such detestable acts were performed. In
2 Kings 23:10 , King Josiah is noted for defiling Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom to prevent anyone from sacrificing their son or daughter in the fire to Molech. This reform was part of Josiah's broader efforts to rid Judah of idolatry and restore the worship of Yahweh.
Prophetic CondemnationThe prophets of Israel frequently condemned the practice of child sacrifice. Jeremiah, in particular, spoke against it, highlighting the severity of Judah's sin. 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 emphasizes that such acts were utterly foreign to God's will and character.
Consequences of IdolatryThe practice of child sacrifice was not only a moral abomination but also brought severe consequences upon the people of Israel and Judah. In
Ezekiel 16:20-21 , God laments through the prophet, "You even took the sons and daughters 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." This indictment reveals the depth of Israel's unfaithfulness and the resulting divine judgment.
Cultural and Historical ContextThe practice of child sacrifice was not unique to Israel's neighbors but was a widespread phenomenon in the ancient Near East. The Israelites were called to be distinct from the surrounding nations, adhering to the worship of Yahweh alone. The repeated warnings and condemnations in Scripture highlight the importance of this distinction and the grave sin of adopting pagan practices.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the worship of idols through child sacrifice represents the ultimate perversion of true worship. It reflects a complete turning away from the life-giving God to lifeless idols, resulting in the destruction of the most vulnerable. The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as a defender of the innocent and a righteous judge who abhors such practices.
In summary, the worship of idols through the burning of children is a profound violation of God's commandments and character. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the call for God's people to remain faithful to Him alone.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Deuteronomy 12:31You shall not do so to the LORD your God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hates, have they done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
Torrey's Topical Textbook2 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
Jeremiah 19:4,5
Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it to other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Ezekiel 16:21
That you have slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
On Idolatry
... to sin and of increasing the crime of idolatry; (1 Kings 12 ... take the gods of foreign
nations as objects of worship ... which is esteemed as a god be worshipped in an ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm
Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... touch was contracted even by inanimate objects; for whatever ... to Osee 10:5: "(They)
have worshipped the kine ... of fire; or to denote that idolatry, together with ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm
The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*]
... and ancestral tablets, which last are worshipped with more ... so much so that the species
of idolatry which has ... These are the two objects that engross the highest ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/iii the city of the.htm
Acts xvii. 16, 17
... in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. ... as I passed by and viewed
the objects of your ... reference to Him, not to the being whom they worshipped. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxviii acts xvii 16.htm
Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence
... have known him to take away the objects of their ... one God; not polytheists whose creed
might excuse their idolatry. ... it is that they have not worshipped his gods ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/godly fear and its goodly.htm
Blessed are they that Mourn
... There are two objects of spiritual mourning, sin and misery. ... They mourned for their
idolatry. ... church, but is now dug out of the grave, and by some worshipped! ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm
CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... not accidental that Hosea enumerates the three objects, just in ... this is only a species
of the idolatry of all ... one and the same Baal was worshipped according to ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm
Six Years in North Bengal --Missionary and Indigo Planter
... idols, the folly and wickedness of idolatry, the nature ... that either of them must
be worshipped in order ... and the number of wretched, afflicted objects whom we ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter iv six years in.htm
On Reconciling Religious Dissensions among Christians
... in which both of them may be worshipped. ... the contumelious appellation of "cursed
idolatry;" and that ... following four considerations become the objects of our ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/oration v on reconciling religious.htm
The Era of Persecution
... to retain their traditional forms and objects of worship ... statue of the emperor was
wicked idolatry and entailed ... belief in the ancient deities worshipped them as ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/iii the era of persecution.htm
Resources
Why is idol worship such a powerful temptation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the true meaning of the second commandment? | GotQuestions.orgWho was John Knox? | GotQuestions.orgIdolatry: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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