SEV Biblia, Chapter 20:2
Dirás asimismo a los hijos de Israel: Cualquier varón de los hijos de Israel, o de los extranjeros que peregrinan en Israel, que diere de su simiente a Moloc, de seguro morirá; el pueblo de la tierra lo apedreará con piedras.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Leviticus 20:2
Verse 2. That giveth any of his seed unto Molech] To what has been said in the note on chap. xviii. 21, we may add, that the rabbins describe this idol, who was probably a representative or emblematical personification of the solar influence, as made of brass, in the form of a man, with the head of an ox; that a fire was kindled in the inside, and the child to be sacrificed to him was put in his arms, and roasted to death. Others say that the idol, which was hollow, was divided into seven compartments within; in one of which they put flour, in the second turtle-doves, in the third a ewe, in the fourth a ram, in the fifth a calf, in the sixth an ox, and in the seventh a child, which, by heating the statue on the outside, were all burnt alive together. I question the whole truth of these statements, whether from Jewish or Christian rabbins. There is no evidence of all this in the sacred writings. And there is but presumptive proof, and that not very strong, that human sacrifices were at all offered to Molech by the Jews. The passing through the fire, so frequently spoken of, might mean no more than a simple rite of consecration to the service of this idol. Probably a kind of ordeal was meant, the persons passing suddenly through the flame of a large fire, by which, though they might be burnt or scorched, yet they were neither killed nor consumed. Or they might have passed between two large fires, as a sort of purification. See the notes on "ver. 14"; See the notes on "chap. xviii. 21". Caesar, in his history of the Gallic war, lib. vi., c. 16, mentions a custom of the Druids similar to this. They made an image of wickerwork, inclosed those in it whom they had adjudged to death, and, setting the whole on fire, all were consumed together.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 2. Again thou shalt say to the children of Israel , etc.] The body of the people by their elders, and the heads of their tribes; for the following laws were binding on them all: whosoever [he be] of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel ; everyone of the people of Israel, of whatsoever age, sex, or condition of life: and not they only, but the strangers and proselytes; and not the proselytes of righteousness only, but the proselytes of the gate, who, as well as the others, were to shun idolatry, and other impieties and immoralities after mentioned: that giveth [any] of his seed unto Molech ; which Aben Ezra interprets of lying with an idolatrous woman, or a worshipper of Molech, the abomination or idol of the Ammonites, ( 1 Kings 11:7); of which (see Leviticus 18:21); but more than that is here intended, or even than causing their seed or offspring to pass through the fire to Molech, as in the place referred to; more is meant by it than a lustration of them, or a dedicating them to Molech, by delivering them to his priests to lead them between two fires for that purpose, but even the sacrificing of them to him; and so the Targum of Jonathan seems to understand it, which is, “that makes (or sacrifices) of his seed Molech to be burnt in the fire:” for that the Phoenicians or Canaanites, whose customs the Israelites were in danger of imitating, and therefore cautioned against, did sacrifice human creatures, and these the dearest to them, even their beloved and only begotten children, to Saturn, is certain, as Porphyry and Eusebius f718 affirm, or to Hercules, as Pliny f719 , and both the same with Molech, or the sun: he shall surely be put to death ; by the hand of the civil magistrate, which death was to be by stoning, as follows: the people of the land shall stone him with stones : that is, the people of the house of Israel, as both the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; such as lived in that part of the country where the idolater lived, and where he committed the sin, or was condemned for it; of the manner of stoning, (see Gill on “ Acts 7:58”).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Are we shocked at the unnatural cruelty of the ancient idolaters i sacrificing their children? We may justly be so. But are there not very many parents, who, by bad teaching and wicked examples, and by the mysteries of iniquity which they show their children, devote them to the service of Satan, and forward their everlasting ruin, in a manne even more to be lamented? What an account must such parents render to God, and what a meeting will they have with their children at the da of judgment! On the other hand, let children remember that he wh cursed father or mother was surely put to death. This law Chris confirmed. Laws which were made before are repeated, and penaltie annexed to them. If men will not avoid evil practices, because the la has made these practices sin, and it is right that we go on tha principle, surely they should avoid them when the law has made the death, from a principle of self-preservation. In the midst of thes laws comes in a general charge, Sanctify yourselves, and be ye holy. It is the Lord that sanctifies, and his work will be done, though it be difficult. Yet his grace is so far from doing away our endeavours, tha it strongly encourages them. Work out your salvation, for it is God that worketh in you.
Original Hebrew
ואל 413 בני 1121 ישׂראל 3478 תאמר 559 אישׁ 376 אישׁ 376 מבני 1121 ישׂראל 3478 ומן 4480 הגר 1616 הגר 1481 בישׂראל 3478 אשׁר 834 יתן 5414 מזרעו 2233 למלך 4432 מות 4191 יומת 4191 עם 5971 הארץ 776 ירגמהו 7275 באבן׃ 68
