SEV Biblia, Chapter 18:21
Y no des de tu simiente para hacerla pasar por el fuego a Moloc; no contamines el nombre de tu Dios: Yo soy el SEÑOR.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Leviticus 18:21
Verse 21. Pass through the fire to Molech] The name of this idol is mentioned for the first time in this place. As the word jlm molech or melech signifies king or governor, it is very likely that this idol represented the sun; and more particularly as the fire appears to have been so much employed in his worship. There are several opinions concerning the meaning of passing through the fire to Molech. 1. Some think that the semen humanum was offered on the fire to this idol. 2. Others think that the children were actually made a burnt-offering to him. 3. But others suppose the children were not burnt, but only passed through the fire, or between two fires, by way of consecration to him. That some were actually burnt alive to this idol several scriptures, according to the opinion of commentators, seem strongly to intimate; see among others, Psa. cvi. 38; Jer. vii. 31, and Ezek. xxiii. 37-39. That others were only consecrated to his service by passing between two fires the rabbins strongly assert; and if Ahaz had but one son, Hezekiah, (though it is probable he had others, see 2 Chronicles xxviii. 3,) he is said to have passed through the fire to Molech, 2 Kings xvi. 3, yet he succeeded his father in the kingdom, 2 Kings xviii. 1, therefore this could only be a consecration, his idolatrous father intending thereby to initiate him early into the service of this demon. See the note on "chap. xx. 2".
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 21. And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through [the fire] to Molech , etc.] The name of an image or idol, according to Aben Ezra, who observes, that their wise men interpret it as a general name for everyone whom they made to reign over them; and it is right, he says, that it is the abomination of the children of Ammon, and so the same with Milcom, ( 1 Kings 11:5); and with Baal, as appears from ( Jeremiah 32:35); and they are both of much the same signification, the one signifies a king, the other a lord; and perhaps is the same with the Melicarthus of Sanchoniatho f645 , who is also Hercules; to whom Pliny says that the Phoenicians offered human sacrifices every year: of Molech, (see Gill on “ Jeremiah 7:31”) (see Gill on “ Amos 1:13”); by “seed” is meant children and offspring; and because the word “fire” is not in the original text, some, as Aben Ezra observes, explain the phrase, “let to pass through”, of their causing them to pass from the law of God to the religion of Molech, or of devoting them to his service and worship; but the word “fire” is rightly supplied, as it may be from ( Deuteronomy 18:10); and the same writer says, the phrase to pass through is the same as to burn; but though this they sometimes did, even burn their infants, and sacrificed them to idols, ( 2 Chronicles 28:3 <19A637> Psalm 106:37,38 Ezekiel 16:20,21); yet this seems to be something short of that, and to be done in the manner, as Jarchi and other Jewish writers relate; who say, the father delivered his son to the priests (of Molech) and they made two great fires, and caused the son to pass on foot between the two fires, which was a kind of a lustration, and so of a dedication of them to the idol; though it must be owned that both were done; yea, that both the phrases of passing through the fire, and of burning, are used promiscuously of the same, (see Kings 16:3); compared with ( 2 Chronicles 28:3) and also ( Ezekiel 16:20,21); and they might be both done at different times, or the one previous and in order to the other; and perhaps they might cause the child so often and so long to pass through the fire, as that at last it was burnt and destroyed: neither shall thou profane the name of thy God ; who had given them children, and to whom they ought to have devoted them, and in whose service they should have trained them up to the honour of his name; but instead of that profaned it, by the above idolatrous and cruel usages: I [am] the Lord ; who would avenge such a profanation of his name.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Unlawful marriages and fleshly lusts. --Here is a law against all conformity to the corrupt usages of the heathen. Also laws against incest, against brutal lusts, and barbarou idolatries; and the enforcement of these laws from the ruin of the Canaanites. God here gives moral precepts. Close and constant adherenc to God's ordinances is the most effectual preservative from gross sin The grace of God only will secure us; that grace is to be expected onl in the use of the means of grace. Nor does He ever leave any to their hearts' lusts, till they have left him and his services __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ומזרעך 2233 לא 3808 תתן 5414 להעביר 5674 למלך 4432 ולא 3808 תחלל 2490 את 853 שׁם 8034 אלהיך 430 אני 589 יהוה׃ 3068
