Add parallel Print Page Options

31 In the Valley of Ben-hinnom[a] they go on building the high places of Topheth to sacrifice their sons and daughters by fire, something I never commanded or considered.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 7:31 Valley of Ben-hinnom: this valley was probably south of Jerusalem. Topheth: perhaps, “fire pit.”

31 They have built the high places of Topheth(A) in the Valley of Ben Hinnom(B) to burn their sons and daughters(C) in the fire—something I did not command, nor did it enter my mind.(D)

Read full chapter

21 (A)You shall not offer any of your offspring for immolation to Molech,[a] thus profaning the name of your God. I am the Lord.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 18:21 Immolation to Molech: the reference is to the custom of sacrificing children to the god Molech. Cf. Ez 16:20–21; 20:26, 31; 23:37. See note on Lv 20:1–5.

10 (A)Let there not be found among you anyone who causes their son or daughter to pass through the fire,[a] or practices divination, or is a soothsayer, augur, or sorcerer,

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 18:10–11 Causes their son or daughter to pass through the fire: to Molech. See note on Lv 18:21. Such human sacrifices are classed here with various occult and magical practices because they were believed to possess powers for averting a calamity; cf. 2 Kgs 3:27. Three other categories of magic are listed here: divination of the future (by a soothsayer or augur); black magic (by a sorcerer or one who casts spells); and necromancy (by one who consults ghosts and spirits, or seeks oracles from the dead to divine the future).

10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire,(A) who practices divination(B) or sorcery,(C) interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,(D)

Read full chapter

He immolated his child by fire. He practiced soothsaying and divination, and reintroduced the consulting of ghosts and spirits.

He did much evil in the Lord’s sight and provoked him to anger.(A)

Read full chapter

He sacrificed his own son(A) in the fire, practiced divination,(B) sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists.(C) He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing(D) his anger.

Read full chapter

10 The king also defiled Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom, so that there would no longer be any immolation of sons or daughters by fire[a] in honor of Molech.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 23:10 Topheth…by fire: Topheth was a cultic site probably in the Hinnom Valley just west of Jerusalem where, apparently, children were immolated to the deity Molech (Hebrew melek, “king,” deformed in the biblical tradition to “Molech”). The practice was condemned by Deuteronomic law and denounced by Jeremiah (Dt 12:31; Jer 7:29–31). In Jer 19 the deity is identified as the Canaanite god Baal.

10 He desecrated Topheth,(A) which was in the Valley of Ben Hinnom,(B) so no one could use it to sacrifice their son(C) or daughter in the fire to Molek.

Read full chapter