📖 Biblical Definition
The Ammonite and Canaanite deity associated with child sacrifice — passing the seed through the fire. Scripture's prohibitions are the strongest in the OT: Leviticus 18:21 (in the sexual-sin chapter), 20:1-5 (with capital and excision penalty), Deuteronomy 12:31 and 18:10, Jeremiah 32:35, and the historical references to wicked kings (Ahaz, Manasseh) who instituted the practice in Israel. The valley of Hinnom (Ge-Hinnom → Gehenna → the NT word for hell) was the site of Molech-worship in apostate Israel — the geography of the worst sin became the name for the worst destination. Contemporary application: the MOOP Dictionary affirms with historic Christian witness that abortion is the modern face of Molech-worship — child sacrifice rebranded as reproductive choice, with the deity now named Convenience or Career.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Ammonite child-sacrifice deity; Lev 18:21, 20:1-5; the valley of his worship (Hinnom) becomes the NT name for hell.
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MOLECH, n. (also Moloch, Milcom) Ammonite and Canaanite deity associated with child sacrifice — passing the seed through the fire. Hebrew Molech, possibly melech (king) deliberately revocalized with the vowels of boshet (shame). The OT prohibitions are the strongest: Lev 18:21 (sexual-sin chapter), Lev 20:1-5 (capital penalty), Deut 12:31, Deut 18:10, Jer 32:35. Wicked kings Ahaz and Manasseh institutionalized the practice in Judah (2 Kgs 16:3; 21:6); Josiah destroyed the high places (2 Kgs 23:10). The valley of Molech-worship — Ge-Hinnom — became the NT word for hell (Gehenna). The MOOP Dictionary follows historic Christian witness in identifying abortion as the modern Molech.
📖 Key Scripture
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."
Leviticus 20:1-5 — "Again, the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death."
Jeremiah 32:35 — "And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination."
Psalm 106:37-38 — "Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Child sacrifice rebranded as reproductive freedom; the same act with a different name and a clinical setting instead of a high place.
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The classical Molech-worship of Lev 18:21 had its peak under wicked kings Ahaz and Manasseh and was abolished by Josiah's reforms. The valley of its high places gave Greek-speaking Jews the word for hell. The MOOP Dictionary affirms with historic Christian witness: the modern industrial-scale practice of abortion is the same offering with different vocabulary. The child is the same image-bearer (Ps 139:13-16; Jer 1:5); the act is the same termination of innocent life; the gods are different but functionally equivalent — Career, Convenience, Autonomy, Reputation, Financial Comfort.
Jeremiah 32:35 names what Israel did: which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination. The phrase neither came it into my mind is striking — God Himself recoils at the category. The Christian response is twofold: stand against the practice publicly (in law, in protest, in funding pregnancy centers, in adoption); and extend the gospel's washing to women who have participated and now grieve (1 Cor 6:11 applies here as anywhere — such were some of you, but ye are washed). Mercy without compromise; conviction without contempt.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Molech; Ammonite-Canaanite child-sacrifice deity; valley of Hinnom → Gehenna.
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['Hebrew', 'H4432', 'Molech', 'Molech, Ammonite deity']
['Hebrew', 'H1516', 'ge', 'valley (Ge-Hinnom)']
['Greek', 'G1067', 'Geenna', 'Gehenna, hell — from the valley of Molech-worship']
Usage
"Abortion is the modern Molech — same act, different vocabulary."
"Neither came it into my mind (Jer 32:35) — God's own recoil from the category."
"Mercy without compromise; conviction without contempt."