Understanding Moloch in the Old and New Testament

You can find mentions of Moloch (also spelled Molech or Milcom) in various historical accounts of the Old Testament and through spiritual applications in the New TestamentBHOTV7 82.2+2. It is a privilege to share this vital truth with you as you seek to understand the history of God's people and the dangers of false worship 🌿.

Moloch in the Old Testament

• A National Abomination: Moloch was the principal deity of the Ammonites and is identified as the same god as Milcom, Chemosh of the Moabites, and Baal of the CanaanitesSITI October 30, 1884, page 646.5+2.

• The Nature of Worship: Worship of this idol was essentially sun-worship and involved horrific rites where children were literal victims of human sacrifice, often being "passed through the fire" or burned to death in the valley of Hinnom 2 Chronicles 28:3BHOTV7 82.2+1.

• Solomon’s Apostasy: Despite his wisdom, King Solomon built high places for Molech and other abominations to please his foreign wives 1 Kings 11:4-8SITI October 30, 1884, page 646.5+1.

• The Mount of Offense: These shrines were built on an eminence of the Mount of Olives, which remained as a memorial of apostasy until the reforms of King Josiah2BC 1039.3+2.

• Royal Transgressors: Kings such as Ahaz and Manasseh practiced these abominations, offering their own children in sacrifice 2 Kings 21:6BHOTV7 82.2+1.

• Gehenna: The valley of Hinnom, where these sacrifices took place, became known as "Topheth" or a place of abomination, and its name was eventually adopted as the term for the place of final sufferingBHOTV7 82.2+2.

Moloch in the New Testament Context

• Spiritual Application: In a modern sense, anything that involves sacrificing the spiritual well-being of children to the fashions, display, or passions of the world is likened to the ancient worship of MolochCG 181.3+2.

• Sacrificing to Fashion: Parents who educate their children to bow to the idol of fashion or the practices of the world are said to be sacrificing them upon the altar of this modern MolochBDOC 72.27+1.

• The Two Witnesses: While Moloch represents the darkness of idolatry, the Old and New Testaments stand together as two witnesses—the two olive trees and candlesticks—to provide the true light of God's word Revelation 11:3-4SBBS 570.7+2.

...ly worship was prostitution. MILCOM of the fifth verse is identical with Molech of the seventh, and Molech of the Ammonites is the same as Chemosh of the Moabites, and both are the same as Baal of the Canaanites and other Eastern nations generally. It is with Baal as with Ashtoreth above, alt...— SITI October 30, 1884, page 646.5

It is impossible to determine whether the varied idolatry described in 2 Chronicles 28:3, 4 characterized the beginning of Ahaz’s reign, or was only gradually introduced during ...— BHOTV7 82.2 (1887)

...ood and womanhood. In their love of display they give their children to Satan with their own hands, like the apostate Jews making them pass through the fire to Molech.8Manuscript 119, 1899— CG 277.2 (1954)

... the Gentiles,” 4Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Phoenicians, was worshipped with impure rites. Milcom, Malcom, or Molech, was the principal deity of the Ammonites, but must be distinguished from Moloch, whose terrible rites were only introduced at a later period...— BHOTV5 102.1 (1880)

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 7 Then did Solomon build an high place for C...— KJV — 1Kings 11:5 (1611)