Leviticus 20:2

KJV

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: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.

KJV (with Strong's)

Again, thou shalt say {H559} to the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, Whosoever {H376} he be of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, or of the strangers {H1616} that sojourn {H1481} in Israel {H3478}, that giveth {H5414} any of his seed {H2233} unto Molech {H4432}; he shall surely {H4191} be put to death {H4191}: the people {H5971} of the land {H776} shall stone {H7275} him with stones {H68}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Say to the people of Isra'el, 'If someone from the people of Isra'el or one of the foreigners living in Isra'el sacrifices one of his children to Molekh, he must be put to death; the people of the land are to stone him to death.

Berean Standard Bible

“Tell the Israelites, ‘Any Israelite or foreigner living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the land are to stone him.

American Standard Version

Moreover, 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 of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 20:2 delivers a severe divine injunction against the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice to Molech, stipulating that any Israelite or resident alien who commits this act of giving their offspring to the pagan deity must be unequivocally put to death by stoning at the hands of the community. This decree powerfully underscores God's absolute detestation of such practices, emphasizing the sanctity of human life, the imperative of maintaining holiness and purity within the covenant community, and the stark distinction God's people must uphold from the defiling customs of surrounding pagan nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 20 functions as a pivotal chapter within the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26), serving as a climactic section that enumerates specific prohibitions and their corresponding severe penalties, particularly those actions that profoundly defile the individual, the community, and the very land itself. It immediately follows [Leviticus 19](/leviticus/19 "Leviticus 19 - Laws of Holiness"), which outlines a broad spectrum of ethical and ritual laws designed to foster holiness in daily life, and [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Forbidden Sexual Relations"), which details forbidden sexual relations. The strategic placement of the Molech prohibition here, alongside capital offenses such as various sexual sins, witchcraft, and disrespect for parents, emphatically highlights its extreme gravity. It is not merely a ritual transgression but a profound moral and theological violation that pollutes the very fabric of the covenant relationship and necessitates the absolute removal of the offender from the community to preserve its sacred integrity, as further elaborated in [Leviticus 20:3](/leviticus/20-3 "Leviticus 20:3 - Defiling the Sanctuary and Profaning God's Name").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The laws presented in Leviticus were delivered to the Israelites as they stood poised to enter the land of Canaan, a region deeply saturated with diverse pagan religious practices. Among the most heinous of these was the worship of deities like Molech, which frequently involved the horrific sacrifice of children, often firstborns, as a means to appease the deity or secure blessings, particularly related to prosperity, fertility, or military success. Archaeological evidence from various ancient Near Eastern sites, such as the Tophet at Carthage, corroborates the widespread nature of such child sacrifice practices. This explicit prohibition in [Leviticus 20:2](/leviticus/20-2 "Leviticus 20:2 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice") served as an indelible boundary marker, distinguishing Yahweh's people from the surrounding nations. God's unwavering demand for the sanctity of human life, especially that of innocent children, stood in direct, radical opposition to the dehumanizing and cruel practices of Canaanite religion, which Israel was strictly commanded to avoid and eradicate from the land, as powerfully articulated in passages like [Deuteronomy 12:29-31](/deuteronomy/12-29-31 "Deuteronomy 12:29-31 - Warning Against Pagan Practices").
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 20:2 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Holiness (קְדֻשָּׁה, _qedushah_)**, emphasizing that God's people must be set apart from the defiling practices of the world, reflecting His own holy character. The prohibition against child sacrifice directly addresses the theme of **Idolatry**, condemning the worship of false gods in its most abominable form, and reinforcing God's exclusive claim to Israel's worship, as articulated in the [First Commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods"). Furthermore, the verse profoundly underscores the **Sanctity of Human Life**, particularly the value of innocent children, created in God's image, whose lives are not to be offered to pagan deities but cherished as a blessing from Yahweh. The communal punishment highlights the theme of **Corporate Responsibility**, where the entire community is accountable for maintaining the purity of the land and covenant, purging evil from their midst to prevent its defilement from spreading, a principle seen throughout the covenant laws, such as those regarding the [unleavened bread festival](/exodus/12-15 "Exodus 12:15 - Feast of Unleavened Bread").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Seed (Hebrew, זֶרַע, _zeraʻ'_):** This term, derived from the root for "to sow," refers to offspring, progeny, or descendants. In the context of "giveth his seed unto Molech," it unequivocally denotes the offering of one's own children as a sacrifice. The use of "seed" emphasizes the generational aspect and the profound violation of the natural order and God's design for family and life, as children are literally the "seed" that continues the family line.
* **Molech (Hebrew, מֹלֶךְ, _Molech'_):** This refers to a Canaanite deity whose worship notoriously involved child sacrifice, often by burning. The name itself is likely derived from the Hebrew root for "king" (מֶלֶךְ, _melech_), but was vocalized by Israelite scribes with the vowels of _boshet_ (בֹּשֶׁת, "shame" or "abomination"), indicating an intentional derogatory alteration to reflect the utterly detestable nature of this god. This deity represented a system of worship utterly antithetical to Yahweh's character and commands, demanding human life rather than giving it.
* **Die (Hebrew, מוּת, _mûwth'_):** This primitive root means "to die" literally or figuratively, and causatively, "to kill." In the emphatic phrasing "he shall surely be put to death," the Hebrew uses a common construction (infinitive absolute followed by the finite verb from the same root) to express absolute certainty and severity of the judgment. It signifies a divinely mandated capital punishment, indicating that the act of child sacrifice was considered a crime worthy of the ultimate penalty, requiring the removal of the offender from the community of the living.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel":** This introductory phrase signals a direct, authoritative divine command delivered through Moses to the entire Israelite community. The word "Again" indicates a continuation of important statutes, emphasizing the universal applicability and non-negotiable nature of the ensuing law for all members of the covenant people.
* **"Whosoever [he be] of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth [any] of his seed unto Molech":** This clause precisely defines both the perpetrator and the heinous crime. It explicitly includes both native-born Israelites ("children of Israel") and resident aliens ("strangers that sojourn in Israel"), underscoring that the standard of holiness and the prohibition against child sacrifice applied equally to all within the covenant community and the land. "Giving his seed" refers to the horrific act of sacrificing one's children to the pagan deity Molech, a practice that violated the most fundamental human and divine laws.
* **"he shall surely be put to death":** This pronouncement declares the divinely mandated capital penalty for the crime. The emphatic Hebrew construction (a repetition of the root for "death") leaves absolutely no ambiguity regarding the severity, certainty, and inevitability of the judgment for such an abominable act.
* **"the people of the land shall stone him with stones":** This specifies both the method of execution and identifies the executors. Stoning was a communal method of capital punishment, requiring the active participation of "the people of the land." This collective involvement signified the community's corporate responsibility to uphold God's law, to publicly purge evil from their midst, and to visibly disassociate themselves from the sin, thereby ensuring that the defilement did not spread or remain within the sacred camp.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 20:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with undeniable force and clarity. It is primarily a **Legal Pronouncement**, characterized by its direct, declarative, and prescriptive language, leaving no room for misinterpretation of the law or its severe consequences. The phrase "he shall surely be put to death" utilizes **Emphasis** through the Hebrew infinitive absolute construction, underscoring the absolute certainty and severity of the divine judgment, leaving no doubt about the outcome for the offender. The inclusion of "the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel" demonstrates **Inclusivity**, highlighting that the moral and ritual standards of God's holiness apply universally to all who reside within the covenant land, regardless of their ethnic origin, emphasizing a unified standard of purity. Furthermore, the act of stoning by "the people of the land" serves as a powerful **Symbolism** of corporate responsibility and the communal purging of defilement. This public execution visually represents the community's collective commitment to upholding God's holiness and rejecting practices that pollute their sacred space and relationship with Yahweh, acting as a visible deterrent and an act of communal purification.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 20:2 profoundly articulates several core theological truths. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His exclusive right to worship, condemning idolatry in its most heinous and dehumanizing form. The prohibition against child sacrifice highlights the inherent sanctity of human life, particularly innocent life, which is created in God's image and is therefore inviolable and precious in His sight. This command also powerfully reinforces the imperative for God's people to live a life of radical holiness, distinctly set apart from the detestable and defiling practices of the surrounding pagan nations. The extreme severity of the punishment reflects the immense gravity of the sin, which not only violated God's commands but also deeply defiled the land and the covenant community, threatening their very existence as a holy nation. This act was seen as a grave profanation of God's holy name, as children were considered God's own, given by Him.

* [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominable Practices")
* [Jeremiah 32:35](/jeremiah/32-35 "Jeremiah 32:35 - Child Sacrifice to Baal and Molech")
* [Psalm 106:37-38](/psalms/106-37-38 "Psalm 106:37-38 - Sacrificing Children to Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal practice of child sacrifice to Molech is, thankfully, not a prevalent issue in contemporary society, the profound underlying principles of Leviticus 20:2 remain timelessly and profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse compels us to deeply confront any form of idolatry in our lives where we might, consciously or unconsciously, sacrifice the well-being, innocence, or spiritual flourishing of our children (or indeed, any vulnerable human life) on the altars of worldly success, material gain, social status, personal ambition, or even comfort. It challenges us to critically examine what we truly worship and whether our priorities genuinely align with God's valuing of human life and spiritual integrity above all else. The call to holiness is a perpetual and urgent one, urging believers to live lives distinctly set apart for God, actively rejecting cultural norms and practices that devalue human life, compromise moral purity, or detract from the exclusive worship of the one true God. We are called to be fervent protectors of the vulnerable, unwavering upholders of the sanctity of life from conception to natural end, and to ensure that our actions, priorities, and societal engagement consistently reflect a profound reverence for God's creation and His image in humanity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might modern society, or even our personal lives, inadvertently "sacrifice" the well-being of children or the vulnerable for other perceived priorities like career, wealth, or social acceptance?**
* **How does the absolute condemnation of child sacrifice in this verse deeply inform our understanding of the sanctity of human life in all its stages, from the unborn to the elderly?**
* **What "Molechs" (idols) might we be tempted to serve today that demand a sacrifice of our integrity, our time, our relationships, or our devotion to God?**
* **How can the church community collectively uphold God's standards of holiness, protect the vulnerable in our midst, and actively advocate for life in a world that often devalues it?**

### FAQ
**Who was Molech, and what did "giveth his seed unto Molech" entail?**

Answer: Molech was a Canaanite deity, often associated with the Ammonites, whose worship was notoriously linked to child sacrifice. The phrase "giveth his seed unto Molech" refers to the horrific practice of offering one's children—typically firstborns, and often by burning them alive—as a ritual sacrifice. Adherents believed this act would appease the deity, secure blessings, or ensure prosperity. The Old Testament consistently and vehemently condemns this practice as an abomination, a defilement of God's holy name, and a profound violation of the sanctity of human life, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominable Practices") and [Jeremiah 32:35](/jeremiah/32-35 "Jeremiah 32:35 - Child Sacrifice to Baal and Molech"). It represented the ultimate rejection of the life-giving God of Israel.

**Why was the punishment for this sin so severe (death by stoning)?**

Answer: The severity of the punishment—death by stoning at the hands of the community—underscores the extreme gravity with which God viewed child sacrifice. This act was not merely a violation of a ceremonial law but a fundamental assault on God's character, His covenant, and the very essence of human life created in His image. It represented the ultimate act of idolatry, rejecting the life-giving God of Israel for a death-demanding pagan deity. The communal stoning served several crucial purposes: it purged the evil from the midst of the people, preventing the defilement from spreading; it demonstrated the community's collective abhorrence of the sin and their unwavering commitment to God's holiness; and it acted as a powerful deterrent, emphasizing that such a heinous act would not be tolerated within a people called to be holy unto the Lord. This corporate responsibility to uphold God's laws and remove evil is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, as also seen in [Deuteronomy 13:5](/deuteronomy/13-5 "Deuteronomy 13:5 - Punishment for False Prophets").

**Does this verse have any relevance for Christians today?**

Answer: Absolutely. While literal child sacrifice to Molech is not a contemporary practice, the underlying principles of Leviticus 20:2 are timeless and profoundly relevant for Christians. This verse powerfully reminds us of God's absolute value for human life, especially the innocent and vulnerable. It serves as a stern warning against all forms of idolatry, urging us to critically examine what we truly prioritize and whether we are inadvertently "sacrificing" our children's spiritual, emotional, or physical well-being for worldly pursuits like career success, material wealth, social status, or even excessive screen time. It calls believers to a radical holiness, to be set apart from any cultural practices that devalue life or contradict God's moral standards. Furthermore, it highlights the church's corporate responsibility to uphold righteousness and protect the vulnerable within its sphere of influence, reflecting the heart of God, who desires life and flourishing, not death and destruction, as exemplified in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Life Abundantly").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 20:2, with its stark condemnation of child sacrifice and demand for the ultimate penalty, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. The horrific practice of offering one's "seed" to Molech stands in radical contrast to God's ultimate provision of His own "Seed"—Jesus Christ—as the perfect, once-for-all, and final sacrifice for sin. While Molech demanded the innocent lives of children in a futile attempt to appease a false god, God, in His boundless and unfathomable love, freely gave His [only begotten Son](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World") to redeem humanity from the dominion of sin and death. Christ's sacrifice on the cross was not a human offering to a pagan deity, but the divine Lamb of God who [takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), thereby rendering all other sacrifices, especially human ones, obsolete and abhorrent. Through Christ, the sanctity of human life, which was so grievously violated by Molech worship, is fully affirmed and gloriously restored, as every individual is seen as precious in God's sight, created in His image and worthy of redemption. Furthermore, the call to holiness and separation from defiling practices, so central to Leviticus, is powerfully realized in the believer's new life in Christ, who empowers us by His Spirit to [live holy lives](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy") and to reject the idols of this world, making our bodies a [living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice"). The communal responsibility to purge evil is now transformed into the church's mission to proclaim the gospel, disciple believers, and live as a holy community that reflects God's righteousness, compassion, and unwavering commitment to protecting the vulnerable and valuing every life as Christ Himself did.

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

Leviticus 20:27

A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood [shall be] upon them.

Leviticus 24:14

Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard [him] lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.

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.

Deuteronomy 21:21

And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Leviticus 24:23

And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.

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.

Jeremiah 7:31

And they have built the high places of Tophet, which [is] in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded [them] not, neither came it into my heart.