Leviticus 18:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What is the significance of the phrase, ‘Of thy seed let not thy servant serve the prince, lest thou profane the holy name; I am the Lord’ (Lev. 18:21)? The original Hebrew uses the term ‘Moloch,’ which some translators have chosen not to interpret. Moloch was an idolatrous figure. Thus, God speaks through the prophet, saying, ‘Ye shall bring Me the food of the slaughter and the sacrifices in the wilderness forty years, O children of Israel? And ye shall perceive the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, the images which ye have made for yourselves, to worship them’ (Am. 5:25-26). Consequently, the law prohibits the dedication of children to the service of idol worship. However, some interpret this as a prohibition against making children attendants or servants to foreign rulers, as this may lead them to adopt the rulers' immoral ways.

Moloch was the deity worshiped by the Ammonites, with his name signifying “king.” According to Rabbinic tradition, he was depicted as a hollow brass figure bearing the head of a bull, with outstretched hands as if awaiting offerings. Surrounding him were seven small chambers that opened in succession for the purpose of receiving various sacrifices. Some sources indicate that his worship involved leading children between two blazing fires, while the Holy Scriptures suggest a more horrific practice of burning the children as offerings. The people held the belief that sacrificing a child would ensure prosperity and long life for the remaining ones.