Who was the Canaanite God Molech?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Molech was an ancient god worshiped by the people neighboring Israel during Old Testament times. While much about Molech's nature and origin are uncertain, the Bible mentions Molech on eight occasions, providing some context regarding the problems associated with this ancient god.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The first mention of Molech is in Leviticus 18:21 in which the Lord commanded, "You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD." The worship of Molech clearly involved ritual child sacrifice, something God's people were not to practice. This act was punishable by death according to Leviticus 20:2 which states, "Any one of the people of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech shall surely be put to death."
• Child sacrifice to Molech was considered profanity against God's holy name. Leviticus 20:3 says, "I myself will set my face against that man and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given one of his children to Molech, to make my sanctuary unclean and to profane my holy name." Not only were those who sacrificed their children to be stoned to death, those who ignored such a sacrifice would be abandoned by God (Leviticus 20:5).
• Unfortunately, this clear and stern warning from the Lord did not end the practice of Molech worship among the Israelites. Even King Solomon participated. First Kings 11:7 says, "Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem." In addition, this verse connects Molech worship with the Ammonites, one of the groups God elsewhere condemns for pagan worship (1 Kings 11:7; Zephaniah 1:5).
• King Josiah would later take the Law's command against Molech worship very seriously. Second Kings 23:10 says, "And he defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, that no one might burn his son or his daughter as an offering to Molech." Apparently this area of Judea had become a location of Molech worship among God's people by this time. Yet Josiah's determination to apply God's laws to society ended child sacrifice for a time.
• The final mention of Molech in the Old Testament is found in God's words to Jeremiah. "They set up their abominations in the house that is called by my name, to defile it. They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin" (Jeremiah 32:34–35).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The Canaanite god Molech is not mentioned in the New Testament.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Molech represented the ultimate perversion of worship, demanding the sacrifice of children—a practice vehemently condemned in the Bible. This ancient abomination serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the lengths to which humanity can stray from God's commands in pursuit of false gods. Today, while we may not engage in literal child sacrifice, the principle remains relevant: any idol we elevate above God—whether wealth, success, or personal desires—can demand sacrifices that compromise our values and faith. The story of Molech challenges us to examine our own hearts, ensuring that our worship is pure and aligned with God's will, rejecting all forms of idolatry that defile His name and distort His truth.

UNDERSTAND

• Molech was worshiped through ritualistic child sacrifice.
• The worship of Molech was condemned as a severe offense against God, defiling His sanctuary and profaning His name.
• Despite God's prohibitions, Molech worship persisted among neighboring peoples of ancient Israel, demonstrating the ongoing struggle against idolatry.

REFLECT

• How does the story of Molech challenge your understanding of what constitutes true worship versus idolatry in your own life?
• Reflect on instances in society today where cultural practices may conflict with biblical teachings. How can understanding Molech's condemnation inform your response?
• How do you see echoes of Molech's demand for sacrifice in modern ideologies or pursuits that prioritize personal gain or success above ethical or moral considerations?

ENGAGE

• How does the worship of Molech warn us of cultural norms that are tolerated or even celebrated but that are detestable to God?
• How does the worship of Molech in ancient times illustrate the tension between cultural acceptance and biblical principles? What parallels can we draw to contemporary issues?
• Discuss the role of religious tolerance in today's society. How should Christians approach the condemnation of practices like those associated with Molech in a pluralistic world?