Leviticus 18:21

And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.

Cross-references

Leviticus 20:2 Historical context

Leviticus 20:2 prescribes stoning for anyone who gives his seed to Molech, directly enforcing the prohibition here.

Leviticus 20:3 restates the same prohibition with identical language, adding the penalty of being cut off for offering children to Molech.

Deuteronomy 12:31 warns against imitating pagan child sacrifice, calling it an abomination the LORD hates.

Deuteronomy 18:10 lists passing children through fire among forbidden practices, echoing the same ban.

Ezekiel 23:37 also describes causing sons to pass through the fire for idols, reinforcing the condemnation of child sacrifice.

Ezekiel 20:31 explicitly repeats the phrase 'make your sons pass through the fire' to idols, condemning the same child sacrifice to Molech.

2 Kings 16:3 Historical context

2 Kings 16:3 records King Ahaz actually making his son pass through fire, a violation of this command.

2 Kings 21:6 Historical context

2 Kings 21:6 describes King Manasseh doing the same, showing persistent disobedience.

2 Kings 23:10 Historical context

2 Kings 23:10 recounts Josiah defiling Topheth to stop child sacrifice, fulfilling the prohibition's intent.

Jeremiah 19:5 similarly condemns burning sons to Baal, repeating God's disapproval.

Psalm 106:37 Historical context

Psalm 106:37 recalls Israel sacrificing sons to demons, a historical example of this sin.

Psalm 106:38 Related theme

Psalm 106:38 emphasizes the innocent blood shed through child sacrifice, highlighting its gravity.

Jeremiah 7:31 condemns building Topheth to burn children, declaring it a command God never gave.

2 Chronicles 33:6 Historical context

In 2 Chronicles 33:6, King Manasseh sacrifices his children in the fire, directly committing the sin forbidden in Leviticus 18:21.

Ezekiel 16:21 laments Israel sacrificing children to idols, a direct violation of the command in Leviticus 18:21.

Jeremiah 32:35 Historical context

Jeremiah 32:35 explicitly mentions sacrificing sons and daughters to Molek, echoing the exact prohibition in Leviticus 18:21.

Isaiah 57:5 Related theme

Isaiah 57:5 describes sacrificing children under trees, matching the child sacrifice to Molek prohibited in Leviticus 18:21.

2 Chronicles 28:3 Historical context

2 Chronicles 28:3 reports King Ahaz burning his sons as an offering, a direct historical example of the child sacrifice to Molech prohibited here.

2 Kings 17:31 Historical context

2 Kings 17:31 describes the Sepharvites burning their children in fire to their gods, illustrating the same kind of pagan child sacrifice forbidden here.

2 Kings 17:17 Historical context

2 Kings 17:17 records Israel burning their sons and daughters as offerings, directly practicing the child sacrifice condemned in this verse.

1 Kings 11:7 Historical context

1 Kings 11:7 records Solomon building a high place for Molech, showing the actual worship of this deity that the law forbids.

1 Kings 11:33 Historical context

1 Kings 11:33 mentions worship of Milcom (Molech) as part of Israel's idolatry, echoing the prohibition against serving other gods.

Amos 5:26 Allusion

Amos 5:26 accuses Israel of carrying the tabernacle of Moloch, linking the idol worship that the Levitical law condemns.

Acts 7:43 Citation

Acts 7:43 quotes Amos 5:26 about Moloch, applying the OT condemnation of idolatry to Stephen's audience.