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I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Do not permit any of your children to be offered as a sacrifice to Molech, for you must not bring shame on the name of your God. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through <i>the fire</i> to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I <i>am</i> the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through <i>the fire</i> to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I <i>am</i> the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216You shall not give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘Neither shall you give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And you shall not give any of your seed to pass them over to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am Yahweh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You shall not give any of your children to offer them [by fire as a sacrifice] to Molech [the god of the Ammonites], nor shall you profane the name of your God [by honoring idols as gods]. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You are not to sacrifice any of your children in the fire to Molech. Do not profane the name of your God; I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are not to make any of your children pass through the fire to Molech. Do not profane the name of your God; I am Yahweh. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And thou shalt not give any of thy seed to make them pass through the fire to Molech; neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't sacrifice your children on the altar fires to the god Molech. I am the LORD your God, and that would disgrace me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And thou shalt not give any of thy seed to make them pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never give your children as sacrifices to the god Molech [by burning them alive]. If you do, you are dishonoring the name of your God. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not hand over any of your children to be used in the worship of the god Molech, because that would bring disgrace on the name of God, the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to present any of your children to Molech as a sacrifice. That way, you won't defile the name of your God." "I am the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not give any of your children as an offering to Molech, so that you do not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"'You shall not give any of your children to sacrifice to Moloch; neither shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And you do not give from your seed to pass over to the Molech, nor do you defile the Name of your God; I [am] YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And of thy seed thou dost not give to pass over to the Molech; nor dost thou pollute the name of thy God; I am Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And from thy seed thou shalt not give to pass over to Molech, and thou shalt not profane the name of thy God: I am Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not give any of thy seed to be consecrated to the idol Moloch, nor defile the name of thy God : I am the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not give some of your seed to be consecrated to the idol Moloch, nor to pollute the name of your God. I am the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not offer any of your offspring for immolation to Molech, thus profaning the name of your God. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not give any of your offspring to sacrifice them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not let any of your semen be cast into a strange woman to cause her to be pregnant; neither shall you profane the name of your God; I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And do not expel from your seed to impregnate a female stranger and do not pollute the name of your God; I AM LORD JEHOVAH.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And thou shalt not give any of thy seed to set them apart to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt not give of thy seed to serve a ruler; and thou shalt not profane my holy name; I <i>am</i> the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/18-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=4877" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/18.htm">Unlawful Sexual Relations</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>You must not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife and thus defile yourself with her. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: ṯit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">give</a> <a href="/hebrew/2233.htm" title="2233: ū·miz·zar·‘ă·ḵā (Conj-w, Prep-m:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- A sowing, seed, offspring. From zara'; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity.">any of your children</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: lə·ha·‘ă·ḇîr (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">to be sacrificed</a> <a href="/hebrew/4432.htm" title="4432: lam·mō·leḵ (Prep-l, Art:: N-proper-ms) -- A heathen god to whom Isr. sacrificed children. From malak; Molek, the chief deity of the Ammonites.">to Molech,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">for you must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2490.htm" title="2490: ṯə·ḥal·lêl (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to bore, i.e. to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane, to break, to begin; denom. to play.">profane</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šêm (N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">the name</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of your God.</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">am the LORD.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10</a></span><br />Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-10.htm">2 Kings 23:10</a></span><br />He also desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/32-35.htm">Jeremiah 32:35</a></span><br />They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben-hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech—something I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind, that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a></span><br />They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-3.htm">2 Chronicles 28:3</a></span><br />Moreover, Ahaz burned incense in the Valley of Ben-hinnom and sacrificed his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-6.htm">2 Chronicles 33:6</a></span><br />He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-31.htm">Ezekiel 20:31</a></span><br />When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your sons in the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be consulted by you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37</a></span><br />For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, in the fire as food for their idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-37.htm">Psalm 106:37-38</a></span><br />They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. / They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-31.htm">Jeremiah 7:31</a></span><br />They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/19-5.htm">Jeremiah 19:5</a></span><br />They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter My mind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-7.htm">Micah 6:7</a></span><br />Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm">Isaiah 57:5</a></span><br />who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1-2</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a></span><br />No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And you shall not let any of your seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm">Leviticus 20:2</a></b></br> Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever <i>he be</i> of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth <i>any</i> of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a></b></br> Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10</a></b></br> There shall not be found among you <i>any one</i> that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, <i>or</i> that useth divination, <i>or</i> an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,</p><p class="hdg">to Molech</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">1 Kings 11:7,33</a></b></br> Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that <i>is</i> before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/5-26.htm">Amos 5:26</a></b></br> But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/7-43.htm">Acts 7:43</a></b></br> Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.</p><p class="hdg">Moloch </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-12.htm">Leviticus 19:12</a></b></br> And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm">Leviticus 20:2-5</a></b></br> Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever <i>he be</i> of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth <i>any</i> of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/21-6.htm">Leviticus 21:6</a></b></br> They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, <i>and</i> the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/18-19.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/30-16.htm">Devote</a> <a href="/leviticus/16-27.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/acts/7-43.htm">Molech</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-9.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-9.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/exodus/34-20.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/exodus/20-25.htm">Pollute</a> <a href="/leviticus/10-10.htm">Profane</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-9.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/leviticus/9-22.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-20.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-17.htm">Shame</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/20-24.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-28.htm">Devote</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-6.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm">Molech</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-6.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-5.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-29.htm">Pollute</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-12.htm">Profane</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-5.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/numbers/7-17.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-19.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-12.htm">Shame</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/18-1.htm">Unlawful marriages and unlawful lusts</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/leviticus/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech</b><br>This command addresses the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice, which was prevalent among the Canaanite tribes surrounding Israel. Molech was a deity worshiped by the Ammonites and other neighboring cultures, often depicted as a god requiring child sacrifices. The Israelites were called to be distinct from these nations, adhering to God's laws and rejecting pagan practices. This prohibition underscores the sanctity of life and the importance of protecting the innocent. The practice of sacrificing children to Molech is also condemned in other scriptures, such as <a href="/2_kings/23-10.htm">2 Kings 23:10</a> and <a href="/jeremiah/32-35.htm">Jeremiah 32:35</a>, highlighting its severity and the need for Israel to remain pure and faithful to God.<p><b>for you must not profane the name of your God</b><br>Profaning God's name involves actions that dishonor or disrespect His holiness and character. By engaging in practices like child sacrifice, the Israelites would not only be adopting pagan customs but also defiling the covenant relationship they had with God. This phrase emphasizes the importance of living in a way that reflects God's holiness and upholds His reputation among the nations. The call to avoid profaning God's name is echoed throughout scripture, such as in <a href="/ezekiel/36-20.htm">Ezekiel 36:20-23</a>, where God expresses His desire for His name to be sanctified among the nations.<p><b>I am the LORD</b><br>This declaration serves as a reminder of God's authority and identity. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) signifies the covenantal name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His special relationship with Israel. This phrase often accompanies commandments in the Torah, reinforcing that the laws given are not arbitrary but are rooted in the character and authority of God Himself. It calls the Israelites to obedience, not merely out of duty, but in recognition of who God is. This statement is a recurring motif in Leviticus, underscoring the divine origin of the laws and the call to holiness, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Leviticus 19:2</a>, "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy."<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/molech.htm">Molech</a></b><br>A pagan deity associated with child sacrifice, worshiped by some ancient Near Eastern cultures. The worship of Molech was strictly forbidden by God as it involved detestable practices.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/children_of_israel.htm">Children of Israel</a></b><br>The recipients of the Levitical laws, including the prohibition against sacrificing children to Molech. They were called to be a holy people, set apart for God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who commands His people to live in holiness and not to adopt the abominable practices of surrounding nations.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land into which the Israelites were entering, where the worship of Molech and other pagan practices were prevalent.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/l/levitical_law.htm">Levitical Law</a></b><br>The body of laws given to the Israelites through Moses, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations to guide the people in living a life pleasing to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_separation.htm">Holiness and Separation</a></b><br>God calls His people to be distinct from the world, avoiding practices that are contrary to His nature and commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/value_of_life.htm">Value of Life</a></b><br>The prohibition against child sacrifice underscores the sanctity of human life, which is to be protected and cherished.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/worship_and_idolatry.htm">Worship and Idolatry</a></b><br>True worship of God requires rejecting idolatry in all its forms, including cultural practices that contradict God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/profaning_god's_name.htm">Profaning God's Name</a></b><br>Engaging in practices that God abhors profanes His holy name, and believers are called to honor God in all aspects of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_influence.htm">Cultural Influence</a></b><br>Believers must be vigilant against the influence of surrounding cultures that promote values and practices contrary to God's Word.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_of_molek_sacrifices.htm">Leviticus 18:21 forbids child sacrifice to Molek; is there historical or archaeological evidence confirming this practice at that time? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_child_sacrifice.htm">What does the Bible say about child sacrifice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_human_sacrifice.htm">What does the Bible say about human sacrifice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_the_moabite_king_sacrifice_his_son.htm">Did the Moabite king sacrifice his son?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">And thou shalt not let any of thy seed.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">And thou shalt not give any of thy seed. </span>Those who violate the sanctity of the marriage ties will readily sacrifice their children. Hence the prohibition to offer up their children to idols follows the law about unchastity.<p><span class= "bld">Pass through the fire to Molech.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">to let it pass to Molech, </span>that is, to put the child into the hands of the figure of Molech, when it fell into the fire which was kindled in the hollow statue of this idol. Molech, also called Milcom, which denotes king, is described as the hideous idol, or "the abomination of the Ammonites" (<a href="/1_kings/11-5.htm" title="For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.">1Kings 11:5</a>; <a href="/1_kings/11-11.htm" title="Why the LORD said to Solomon, For as much as this is done of you, and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely rend the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant.">1Kings 11:11</a>). The following graphic description has been handed down traditionally of this idol and its worship :--"Our sages of blessed memory say that whilst all other idols had temples in Jerusalem, Molech had his temple outside Jerusalem, in a place by itself. It was a brass and hollow image, bull-headed, with arms stretched out like a human being who opens his hands to receive something from his neighbour. Its temple had seven compartments, into which the offerers went according to their respective gifts. If one offered a fowl, he went into the first compartment; if a sheep, into the second; if a lamb, into the third; if a ram, into the fourth; if a bullock, into the fifth; if an ox, into the sixth; and if he offered his son, he was conducted into the seventh compartment. He first kissed the image, as it is written, 'let the sacrificers of men kiss the calf' (<a href="/hosea/13-2.htm" title="And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.">Hosea 13:2</a>), whereupon a fire was kindled in Molech till its arms became red hot; the child was then put into its hands, and drums were beaten to produce tremendous noises so as to prevent the shrieks of the child reaching the father's ears, lest he should be moved with pity towards his offspring." It was to this idol that Solomon erected a temple on the southern side of Mount Olivet (<a href="/2_kings/23-13.htm" title="And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.">2Kings 23:13</a>). This idolatrous worship was punished with death by stoning. (See <a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm" title="Again, you shall say to the children of Israel, Whoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that gives any of his seed to Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.">Leviticus 20:2</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/leviticus/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - The third prohibition is, <span class="cmt_word">Thou shall not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech.</span> The words <span class="accented">the fire</span> are properly inserted, though not expressed in the original (cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10</a>; <a href="/2_kings/22-10.htm">2 Kings 22:10</a>). What was the nature and purpose of the idolatrous rite in question is, however, uncertain. It is generally assumed that reference is made to the practice of offering children in sacrifice to Molech, <a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a>, <a href="/ezekiel/16-20.htm">Ezekiel 16:20</a>, and <a href="/psalms/106-37.htm">Psalm 106:37</a> being quoted in support of that view. But it is by no means certain that this was the case. It might have been a rite by which children were dedicated to Molech - a baptism by fire, not resulting in the death of the child. Its mention here, in close connection with carnal sins, has led some to regard it as an impure rite; but this is a mistaken inference, for the prohibition of adultery naturally suggests the prohibition of a spiritual unfaithfulness. That it was some kind of idolatrous ceremony is shown by the addition of the words, <span class="cmt_word">neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God.</span> But if the children were burnt to death in honour of the idol, from the beginning, we should expect to find a notice of the fact in less ambiguous language than the expression, <span class="accented">pass through the fire</span>, conveys, earlier than the days of Ahaz. It is easy to imagine that what began as a dedication ceremony may have become converted into an absolute sacrifice, retaining still its original designation. Molech was a Canaanitish and Phoenician deity, the name meaning King, just as Baal means Lord (see Selden, 'De Diis Syris,' 1:6). Jarchi, quoted by Wordsworth, describes the idol as "made of brass, having the face of an ox, with arms stretched out, in which the child was placed and burnt with fire, while the priests were beating drums, in order to drown the noise of its shrieks, lest the fathers might be moved with pity thereby." The place where the children were offered, in the later period of the Jewish history, was the valley of Hinnom (<a href="/jeremiah/7-31.htm">Jeremiah 7:31</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/32-35.htm">Jeremiah 32:35</a>; <a href="/2_kings/23-10.htm">2 Kings 23:10</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/18-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">give</span><br /><span class="heb">תִתֵּ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(ṯit·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">any of your children</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִֽזַּרְעֲךָ֥</span> <span class="translit">(ū·miz·zar·‘ă·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2233.htm">Strong's 2233: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to be sacrificed</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהַעֲבִ֣יר</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ha·‘ă·ḇîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Molech,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמֹּ֑לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lam·mō·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4432.htm">Strong's 4432: </a> </span><span class="str2">Molech -- a heathen god to whom Israelites sacrificed children</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for you must not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֧א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">profane</span><br /><span class="heb">תְחַלֵּ֛ל</span> <span class="translit">(ṯə·ḥal·lêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2490.htm">Strong's 2490: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the name</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(šêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of your God.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">am the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 18:21 You shall not give any of your (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/18-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 18:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 18:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/18-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 18:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 18:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>