The BibleGospel Companion

Molech

מֹ֫לֶךְ · mo.lekh · H4432Μολόχ · Moloch · G34342 other spellings“Moloch, king” Hitchcock's 186915 mentions in 6 books, most in Leviticus (5)

Who they were

Molech, also known as Milcom or Moloch, was a Canaanite deity worshipped by the Ammonites and others in the ancient Near East. The Bible strongly condemns the worship of Molech, particularly the practice of child sacrifice associated with this deity (Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5; 2Ki. 23:10; Jer. 32:35).

In Leviticus, God warns the Israelites against giving their children to Molech, stating that those who do so will be cut off from the people (Lev. 20:2-5). King Solomon built a high place for Molech on the Mount of Olives (1Ki. 11:7), which was later destroyed by King Josiah during his religious reforms (2Ki. 23:13).

The prophet Jeremiah condemns the practice of child sacrifice to Molech in the Valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem (Jer. 32:35). Molech is also mentioned in Amo.5.26 and Act.7.43, where it is associated with idolatry and the worship of heavenly bodies. The name Molech is believed to derive from the Hebrew word "melek," meaning "king," and may have been a title rather than a proper name.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

15 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)
LeviticusChapter 18: 1 mentionChapter 20: 4 mentions5 mentions
Leviticus 18:21“‘You shall not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech. You shall not profane the name of your God. I am Yahweh.Leviticus 20:2“Moreover, you shall tell the children of Israel, ‘Anyone of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners in Israel, who gives any of his offspring to Molech shall…Leviticus 20:3I also will set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given of his offspring to Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.Leviticus 20:4If the people of the land all hide their eyes from that person when he gives of his offspring to Molech, and don’t put him to death,Leviticus 20:5then I will set my face against that man and against his family, and will cut him off, and all who play the prostitute after him to play the prostitute with Molech, from among their people.
1 KingsChapter 11: 3 mentions3 mentions
1 Kings 11:5For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.1 Kings 11:7Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the mountain that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon.1 Kings 11:33because they have forsaken me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon. They have not walked in my…
2 KingsChapter 23: 2 mentions2 mentions
2 Kings 23:10He defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.2 Kings 23:13The king defiled the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mountain of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the…
JeremiahChapter 32: 1 mentionChapter 49: 2 mentions3 mentions
Jeremiah 32:35They built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through fire to Molech, which I didn’t command them. It…Jeremiah 49:1Of the children of Ammon. Yahweh says: “Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then does Malcam possess Gad, and his people dwell in its cities?Jeremiah 49:3“Wail, Heshbon, for Ai is laid waste! Cry, you daughters of Rabbah! Clothe yourself in sackcloth. Lament, and run back and forth among the fences; for Malcam will go into captivity, his…
ZephaniahChapter 1: 1 mention1 mention
Zephaniah 1:5those who worship the army of the sky on the housetops, those who worship and swear by Yahweh and also swear by Malcam,
ActsChapter 7: 1 mention1 mention
Acts 7:43You took up the tabernacle of Moloch, the star of your god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship, so I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’

What the dictionary says

(king).

Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
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Sources