Ezekiel 16:21

KJV

That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through [the fire] for them?

KJV (with Strong's)

That thou hast slain {H7819} my children {H1121}, and delivered {H5414} them to cause them to pass through {H5674} the fire for them?

Complete Jewish Bible

killing my children, handing them over and setting them apart for [these idols]?

Berean Standard Bible

You slaughtered My children and delivered them up through the fire to idols.

American Standard Version

that thou hast slain my children, and delivered them up, in causing them to pass through the fire unto them?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 16:21 confronts Jerusalem with the heinous sin of child sacrifice, a profound betrayal of her covenant relationship with God. This verse, embedded within a larger allegory of Israel as an unfaithful wife, highlights the extreme depths of spiritual depravity to which the people had descended, using God's own blessings—their children—as offerings to pagan deities. It serves as a stark indictment of their idolatry and a testament to the divine indignation provoked by such abominable practices.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel chapter 16 unfolds as an extended and vivid allegory, portraying Jerusalem (representing Judah and its people) as a foundling infant rescued, nurtured, and adorned by God, who then enters into a solemn marriage covenant with her. Despite God's lavish provision and faithfulness, Jerusalem turns to spiritual harlotry, prostituting herself with foreign nations and pagan gods. The narrative escalates from general unfaithfulness to specific, egregious acts of idolatry, culminating in the horrific practice of child sacrifice described in this verse. This particular sin is presented as the ultimate act of betrayal, a perversion of God's gifts, and a direct affront to His holiness, marking a critical turning point in the indictment against Jerusalem that foreshadows her impending judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of child sacrifice was a detestable custom prevalent among certain Canaanite and Ammonite cultures in the Ancient Near East, most notably associated with the deity Molech. Archaeological evidence and biblical texts confirm its existence, often involving the burning of children as burnt offerings to appease or gain favor from these gods. For Israel, this practice was an explicit and severe violation of Mosaic Law, repeatedly condemned as an abomination to Yahweh (e.g., [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition Against Molech Worship") and [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominable Practices")). Despite these clear prohibitions, Israel, particularly during the reigns of kings like Ahaz and Manasseh, adopted this horrific practice, often in the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) outside Jerusalem, demonstrating a profound syncretism and abandonment of their covenant obligations.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 16:21 powerfully underscores several major theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it highlights the **Abomination of Child Sacrifice**, portraying it as the pinnacle of human wickedness and a direct defiance of God's law regarding the sanctity of human life. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Breach of Covenant**, as Israel's actions represent a profound betrayal of their sacred relationship with God. The phrase "my children" underscores God's ownership and intimate connection to the people, making their sacrifice an act of theft and severe abuse of His blessings, as also seen in [Psalm 106:37-38](/psalms/106-37 "Psalm 106:37-38 - Sacrificing Children to Demons"). Thirdly, the verse conveys **Divine Indignation** and sorrow, illustrating God's righteous judgment against those who engage in such detestable acts. Finally, in the broader context of [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - The Allegory of Jerusalem's Unfaithfulness"), child sacrifice is presented as the ultimate act of **Spiritual Adultery**, demonstrating how far Jerusalem had strayed from her exclusive devotion to the one true God, echoing condemnations found in [Jeremiah 32:35](/jeremiah/32-35 "Jeremiah 32:35 - Child Sacrifice to Baal and Molech").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **slain (Hebrew, _shâchaṭ'_):** From H7819, a primitive root meaning "to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)." This word unequivocally describes the act of killing, emphasizing the violent and deliberate nature of the children's demise. In the context of ancient Near Eastern worship, `shâchaṭ` was often used for ritual slaughter, underscoring that these acts were not accidental but intentional, religiously motivated killings presented as offerings. Its use here leaves no doubt about the fatal outcome for the children.
* **children (Hebrew, _bên'_):** From H1121, meaning "a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc.)." The term `bên` here refers to actual offspring, emphasizing their innocence and their direct lineage. Crucially, God refers to them as "my children," highlighting His divine ownership and the profound violation of His paternal claim over His people, whom He had brought into being and sustained.
* **pass through (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** From H5674, a primitive root meaning "to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative)." In this specific context, "to cause them to pass through the fire" (הַעֲבִירָם בָּאֵשׁ, _ha'avirām ba'esh_) is a well-known euphemism for human sacrifice by burning. While `ʻâbar` can mean merely to pass by or through, when combined with "fire" in the context of forbidden worship, it consistently denotes the act of offering a person as a burnt sacrifice, implying consumption by flames, not merely a symbolic passage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That thou hast slain my children,"**: This clause directly accuses Jerusalem of the most grievous act imaginable—the murder of innocent life. The possessive "my children" is profoundly significant, indicating that these offspring, given by God as blessings and belonging to Him by covenant, were violently taken and destroyed. This highlights the double sin: not only murder but also a theft and desecration of God's own property and gift.
* **"and delivered them"**: This phrase emphasizes the active, deliberate participation of Jerusalem in this horrific practice. It's not a passive allowance but an intentional handing over of their children to the pagan cults. "Delivered" (from `nâthan`, H5414) suggests a formal presentation or surrender, underscoring the premeditated and ritualistic nature of the act.
* **"to cause them to pass through [the fire] for them?"**: This final clause specifies the method and purpose of the sacrifice. "To cause them to pass through the fire" is the euphemistic biblical term for burning children as offerings to pagan deities, particularly Molech. The rhetorical question format ("for them?") expresses God's utter incredulity and righteous indignation that His people would commit such an abomination, offering their own flesh and blood to false gods, rather than honoring the One who gave them life.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 16:21 is rich with literary devices that amplify its powerful message of condemnation. The entire chapter functions as an **Allegory**, where Jerusalem is personified as a woman, rescued and raised by God, who then becomes an unfaithful wife. This verse specifically uses **Rhetorical Question** ("...for them?"), not seeking an answer but expressing God's profound shock, disgust, and incredulity at the depth of Jerusalem's depravity. This device serves to underscore the utter unreasonableness and heinousness of their actions. Furthermore, the phrase "my children" employs **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like parental feelings of ownership, grief, and betrayal to God, making His condemnation more relatable and emotionally resonant. The stark contrast between God's lavish care for Jerusalem and her ultimate act of sacrificing "His children" to foreign gods creates intense **Irony**, highlighting the tragic perversion of divine blessings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 16:21 stands as a chilling testament to the ultimate consequences of spiritual idolatry and the profound depths of human sin when God is abandoned. Theologically, it underscores the absolute sanctity of human life, particularly innocent life, as a divine gift and possession. God's declaration of "my children" asserts His ultimate sovereignty and ownership over all creation, especially those brought into covenant with Him. This verse reveals the extreme nature of God's righteous judgment against practices that devalue human life and mock His holiness. It also highlights the destructive nature of syncretism and the slippery slope of spiritual compromise, where initial unfaithfulness can lead to the most abominable acts, revealing the true cost of abandoning the one true God for false deities.

* [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition Against Giving Children to Molech")
* [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominable Practices of Child Sacrifice")
* [Jeremiah 32:35](/jeremiah/32-35 "Jeremiah 32:35 - Sacrificing Children to Baal and Molech")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 16:21 serves as a stark and enduring warning against the dangers of spiritual idolatry and the profound consequences of abandoning God's commands. While literal child sacrifice is abhorrent and rare in most contemporary societies, the underlying principles of this verse remain acutely relevant. It challenges us to examine what "idols" we might be serving in our own lives—ambition, wealth, pleasure, comfort, or even ideologies—that might demand the "sacrifice" of our most precious values, relationships, or even our spiritual integrity. Any practice or pursuit that devalues human life, especially the innocent and vulnerable, or places anything above God's will and the sanctity of His creation, mirrors the spirit of this ancient sin. This verse calls believers to uphold the sanctity of life in all its forms, to protect the vulnerable, and to ensure that our allegiances are solely to the one true God, lest we, too, inadvertently "sacrifice" what is truly precious on the altars of modern-day idols.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "children" or "blessings" in my life that God has given me, and how might I be tempted to "sacrifice" them on the altar of modern idols (e.g., career, status, comfort)?**
* **In what ways might our society, or even my own choices, inadvertently devalue human life or compromise the well-being of the innocent for perceived gain?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's ownership and sovereignty over all aspects of my life, including my family and resources?**

### FAQ

**What does "cause them to pass through [the fire]" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In the context of Ezekiel 16:21 and other biblical condemnations, the phrase "to cause them to pass through the fire" (Hebrew: _ha'avirām ba'esh_) is a euphemism for the horrific practice of child sacrifice by burning. While some ancient rituals involved merely passing children through flames as a dedication, the consistent biblical condemnation, particularly in relation to Molech worship (e.g., [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition Against Molech Worship") and [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominable Practices")), indicates a fatal act where children were offered as burnt offerings, resulting in their death. It signifies the complete surrender and destruction of the child as a sacrifice to pagan deities, not a symbolic ritual.

**Why does God refer to the children as "my children" when they were born to the people of Jerusalem?**

Answer: God's declaration "my children" is profoundly significant, emphasizing His divine ownership and covenantal relationship with Israel. He had chosen Israel, rescued them, and blessed them with fruitfulness, making their offspring a direct gift from Him. In the allegory of Ezekiel 16, God "raised" Jerusalem from infancy, and her children are therefore seen as His by extension of His covenant and providential care. This possessive claim underscores the egregious nature of the sin: Jerusalem was not merely sacrificing her own children, but God's children, whom He had entrusted to her. It highlights a profound breach of trust and a direct affront to God's holiness and paternal love for His people, as also seen in [Psalm 106:37](/psalms/106-37 "Psalm 106:37 - Sacrificing Sons and Daughters to Demons").

**How does the ancient sin of child sacrifice relate to modern-day idolatry?**

Answer: While literal child sacrifice is no longer a widespread practice, the underlying principle of idolatry—placing anything above God—remains highly relevant. Modern idolatry often involves "sacrificing" what is precious (time, relationships, integrity, spiritual well-being, or even the future of our children) on the altars of contemporary "gods" such as wealth, power, ambition, pleasure, social status, or even certain political ideologies. When these pursuits become ultimate and demand the compromise of God's moral standards or the neglect of human dignity, they echo the spirit of ancient child sacrifice. Ezekiel 16:21 serves as a timeless warning that when we abandon the true God, we inevitably fall prey to destructive practices that devalue life and lead to profound spiritual and moral decay, as illustrated by the consequences described throughout [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/16 "The Book of Ezekiel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 16:21, with its stark portrayal of humanity's deepest depravity in sacrificing innocent life, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the profound contrast of God's own perfect and ultimate sacrifice. The horror of "slaying my children" highlights the depth of sin that separates humanity from God and the desperate need for atonement. In the New Testament, we see God, in His infinite love, not demanding the sacrifice of our children, but rather offering His own Son, Jesus Christ, as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin. Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly "passed through the fire" of divine judgment on the cross, enduring the wrath that humanity justly deserved for its idolatry and rebellion. His sacrifice was not an abomination but a holy, redemptive act, fulfilling the righteous demands of God's law and providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to Him (as seen in [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love") and [Hebrews 9:26-28](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26-28 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). Through Christ, the broken covenant is restored, and those who were once "children of wrath" become "children of God" by faith in His atoning work (as described in [Ephesians 2:3-5](/ephesians/2-3 "Ephesians 2:3-5 - Dead in Sin, Made Alive in Christ") and [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God")). The very children whom Israel sacrificed to false gods are now redeemed and offered eternal life through the one true Son, Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed for them.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 17:17

And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

2 Kings 23:10

And he defiled Topheth, which [is] in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.

Deuteronomy 18:10

There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

Psalms 106:37

Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,

2 Kings 21:6

And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke [him] to anger.

Leviticus 20:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 20:5

Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.