This verse emphasizes that God abhors child sacrifice and commands His people to stand firmly against it.
“You shall also say to the sons of Israel: ‘Any man from the sons of Israel or from the aliens sojourning in Israel who gives any of his offspring to Molech, shall surely be put to death; the people of the land shall stone him with stones.” (v.2)
In this command, the LORD sternly warns against offering children as sacrifices to the pagan god Molech, a practice which was sadly prevalent in portions of the ancient Near East. The land of Israel, located in the eastern Mediterranean region often called Canaan, neighbored peoples who would perform grisly rites involving child sacrifice (burning or placing infants in the arms of a heated idol) as a means of securing favor from their false gods. This was entirely at odds with the LORD’s design for children to be nurtured and protected, reflecting His holiness and love for life. By prescribing the death penalty, Israel is called to stand apart from surrounding nations and eradicate any semblance of these detestable customs.
The directive begins with Moses, who led the Israelites during the mid-second millennium BC (traditionally dated around 1526-1406 BC). He is the mediator of God’s law, and here he specifies that both native Israelites and foreigners dwelling in Israel must abstain from this horrific act. Foreigners (or “aliens sojourning”) in this context were those living among the people of Israel under the nation’s protection; they too were obligated to abandon any ties to the worship of Molech. By commanding them to heed God’s holy standards, the LORD shows His desire for all who reside in the land to uphold justice and preserve the sanctity of human life.
From a broader biblical perspective, this prohibition anticipates the full revelation of God’s love in the New Testament. Whereas Molech worship demanded the horrific offering of children, God the Father gave His own Son, Jesus, as the only sacrifice that brings eternal life to mankind (John 3:16). Christ welcomed children (Matthew 19:14), emphasizing their worth and illustrating the heart of the Father. Rather than condoning violence toward the innocent, the LORD calls His people to compassionate concern for the weak and vulnerable, embodying His character and reflecting His holiness (James 1:27).
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Leviticus 20:2 meaning
“You shall also say to the sons of Israel: ‘Any man from the sons of Israel or from the aliens sojourning in Israel who gives any of his offspring to Molech, shall surely be put to death; the people of the land shall stone him with stones.” (v.2)
In this command, the LORD sternly warns against offering children as sacrifices to the pagan god Molech, a practice which was sadly prevalent in portions of the ancient Near East. The land of Israel, located in the eastern Mediterranean region often called Canaan, neighbored peoples who would perform grisly rites involving child sacrifice (burning or placing infants in the arms of a heated idol) as a means of securing favor from their false gods. This was entirely at odds with the LORD’s design for children to be nurtured and protected, reflecting His holiness and love for life. By prescribing the death penalty, Israel is called to stand apart from surrounding nations and eradicate any semblance of these detestable customs.
The directive begins with Moses, who led the Israelites during the mid-second millennium BC (traditionally dated around 1526-1406 BC). He is the mediator of God’s law, and here he specifies that both native Israelites and foreigners dwelling in Israel must abstain from this horrific act. Foreigners (or “aliens sojourning”) in this context were those living among the people of Israel under the nation’s protection; they too were obligated to abandon any ties to the worship of Molech. By commanding them to heed God’s holy standards, the LORD shows His desire for all who reside in the land to uphold justice and preserve the sanctity of human life.
From a broader biblical perspective, this prohibition anticipates the full revelation of God’s love in the New Testament. Whereas Molech worship demanded the horrific offering of children, God the Father gave His own Son, Jesus, as the only sacrifice that brings eternal life to mankind (John 3:16). Christ welcomed children (Matthew 19:14), emphasizing their worth and illustrating the heart of the Father. Rather than condoning violence toward the innocent, the LORD calls His people to compassionate concern for the weak and vulnerable, embodying His character and reflecting His holiness (James 1:27).