THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Having directed fathers to maintain the dignity of their children concerning their bodies, He also enforces a death sentence on anyone who leads their own offspring away from God. The book of Leviticus states: “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak these things unto the children of Israel: whosoever of the children of Israel, and of the strangers among the Israelites, shall give of his children unto Moloch, let him be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him: and I will turn my face upon that man, and will destroy him out of his people, because he hath given of his children unto Moloch, to profane my sanctuary, and to dishonour my holy name” (Lev. 20:1-3). Palladius remarks that this law is obscured and can be difficult to interpret; hence, an explanation is warranted.
Read more (317 words)
Cyril clarifies that the Moabites, Midianites, Gergesites, Hagarites, and other barbarous tribes residing in Judah followed the customs of the Hellenes, engaging in any form of worship that suited their whims. However, the Israelites, whose hearts were not firmly anchored in their love for God, were susceptible to turning away and easily adopted the gods of surrounding nations, even resorting to the old errors of Egypt. They were enticed by the allure of Midianite maidens and, captivated by their beauty, came to worship Baal-Peor alongside them. Thus, the Lawgiver, understanding the inherent weakness and capriciousness of their hearts, explicitly forbade intermarriage with foreigners, stating: “Thou shalt not give thy daughter for his son, neither shalt thou take his daughter for thy son; for they shall turn thy sons away from me, to serve other gods” (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Given the likelihood that some Israelites might have surrendered their daughters to esteemed Gentiles swayed by wealth, esteeming apostasy lightly, the Law ordains severe penalties for such audacity, as it would be unavoidable for a daughter given to a foreigner to become a servant of demons. Consequently, the perpetrator is treated as a destroyer of his own lineage and faces fitting punishment. Thus, the Holy and New Scripture urges parents to raise their children “in the ... the doctrine of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4), while the ancient law speaks similarly in a more roundabout fashion. Having rightly decreed that fathers should prevent their children from engaging in shameful and immoral acts, it then enjoins them to keep their offspring steadfast in knowing God, prohibiting them from being enticed by idolatry—even if the allure is great wealth offered through a marriage union with a foreigner. This aligns with the words, “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, but harms his own soul? Or what ransom shall a man give for his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26).