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Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy and not sacrifice;
and the knowledge of God more than your burnt offerings.
Topical Studies
1A0False gods and idols
This page is presented to document and list some of the false gods and idols the heathen nations around our forefathers worshipped, who our sottish forefathers then began worshipping as well, and who the present day world worship.
asherah
יăshêrâh=Wherever we read the word “grove” in Father’s Word—Hebrew word number H842 in the Strong’s Concordance—we are reading of יăshêrâh or יashtorêth worship, and the worship of this false god was practiced by the heathenistic peoples—i.e., the amorites, the canaanites, the edomites, the gibeonites, the girgashites, the hittites, the hivites, the jebusites, and the perizzites—who inhabited the land before Father moved our forefathers into the land they inhabited. יăshêrâh worship was “The Special Evil” of the Canaanite nations. The יăshêrâh was idolatry of the most revolting form of immorality under the guise of religion. All virtue was surrendered. The “going a whoring” was more than just a figure of speech. Father told our forefathers to utterly destroy these peoples because of what they were doing, but also because, He knew that if our forefathers did not destroy them, then they too would begin to worship their false gods. Just what was grove, יăshêrâh, or יashtôreth worship? The word יăshêrâh in the Hebrew, is from the root word ashar, and it means “to be straight, erect, or upright.” It is from this word that we get the moral reference, “to be upright,” hence, happy and/or prosper. This abominable, detestable practice was performed by going out into a grove of trees in a forest, cutting or shaping the trunks of the trees into the image of the male phallus, which was done to excite the worshippers, and then holding orgies while performing their worship service. Father hates the practice. Though the image of the male phallus was used, יăshêrâh was the female goddess of love and fertility. It was from this form that the religious practices of “evolution” which we have today came from, giving “chance,” and the reproductive processes of men and women the credit of creation and salvation for mankind. It leaves Father אלהים, ELOHIM—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices: ELOHIM—click here—the genus God, in other words, Father in His role of Creator of all things. From Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible, Appendix 4—(click here—“ELOHIM occurs 2,700 times. Its first occurrence connects it with creation, and gives it its essential meaning as the Creator. It indicates His relation to mankind as His creatures (see note on II Chronicles 18:31, where it stands in contrast with YEHOVAH as indicating covenant relationship). ELOHIM is God the Son, the living “WORD” with creature form to create (John 1:1; Colossians 1:15-17; Revelation 3:14); and later, with human form to redeem (John 1:14). “Begotten of His Father before all worlds; born of His mother, in the world.” In this creature form He appeared to the Patriarchs, a form not temporarily assumed.”. Dr. Bullinger further notes in his Companion notes to this verse, that “(with Art.) = the [true] God.”, out of the creation process, and man ends up worshipping the creation and himself, rather than the Creator, Who is The ONE and ONLY True Living God. In some religions, symbols mean everything; and the יăshêrâh, or the “phallus” was the symbol for the baal worship. The forming of this symbol in their formed images, made from the topping of a tree, and shaping of it became the image of worship. What started out to be the honoring of the origin of life; became a corrupted form of worshipping of the organs that produce the life. These symbols in turn, became the incentive to all forms of impurity, which in time turned into nothing but sexual orgies. Since the creation of man on the sixth day and no written knowledge of what they were worshipping, we don’t really know when this all started. However, we also can look to what was happening and happened when the fallen angels came in Genesis 6—click here—we know that they were mating with women and doing who knows what else sexually with them; but, suffice it to say, that is was probably perverted, and from it also they were worshipping the reproductive organs. We do know some of this started also in the ancient Canaanite religions, which originated way back in Nimrod’s day, who was the grandson of Noah, the son of Ham. Ham had four sons and their names were Cush, Mizraim, Phut, and Canaan. Canaan was the father of the Canaanites who were the originators of the current baal, and יashtôrâh. Nimrod was the son of Cush. It was for this reason that Father gave the commandment to Israel that when they entered into the Promised Land — Father told Abram that He was going to allow some of this to come to pass back in Genesis 15—click here—but as soon as they came out of Egypt, they were to kill all of the Canaanites, tare down their images and destroy their groves. That’s right, Father said to utterly destroy all the men, women and children, and even their animals. Sadly, they did not listen to Father; they did not destroy the Canaanites but mixed in with them and also the Gibeonites—Hivites—as we can read of in Joshua 9—click here—because of their disobedience to Father, the Israelites have brought all their troubles upon themselves. † For the etymology of the name יăshêrâh, we read the following in Abarim-Publications: “The name יăshêrâh comes from the common Hebrew verb אשר ss(יasher), meaning to go straight: Harris Archer Waltke (HAW) Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament explains that the original name for יăshêrâh had to do with a Ugaritic verb יtr, which meant the same thing as the Hebrew version יăshêrâh, namely Progression. It’s also safe to assume that the original name of this goddess sounded differently (something with a tr-sound no doubt). And that strongly suggest that the original translators of this name wanted to make sure that the meaning of it was conveyed into Hebrew. To any Hebrew audience, therefore, the name יăshêrâh would also have meant Bliss or Happiness; the Semitic equivalent of the Latin deity Fortuna and the Greek Tyche.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H842, - אֲשֵׁרָה,ss or אֲשֵׁירָה,i - יăshêrâh,i or יăshêyrâh, pronounced - ash-ay-rawי or ash-ay-rawי, and means: From H833; happy; asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same: - grove. Compare H6253. Total KJV occurrences: 40.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Straight. The name of a Phœnician goddess, or rather of the idol itself (Authorized Version “grove”). יăshêrâh is closely connected with יashtôreth and her worship, Judges 3:7, compare Deuteronomy 2:3; Judges 6:25; I Kings 18:19; יashtôreth being, perhaps, the proper name of the goddess, whilst יăshêrâh is the name of her image or symbol, which was of wood, see Judges 6:25-30; II Kings 23:14.”.
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ashtaroth
יAshtârôth=As I mention in my study on יashtôreth—click here—יashtârôth is just the plural of יashtôreth. Now, exactly how the heathen and our forefathers performed the worship service or what they did is unclear; but, we can only assume and or imagine that they had multiple images set-up in their groves as they performed their orgies. We’ll read below that it is Strong’s Hebrew word number: H6252 and to see also H6255 which was יashtârôth-karnahyim, which translated means יashtârôth of (the) double horns, this sounds like the “picture” we have of satan today. † For the etymology of the name יashtârôth, we read the following from Abarim Publications: “The name יashtârôth is the plural of the name יashtôreth, which was the Hebrew equivalent of Astarte, the goddess of fertility and all that. This plural form is sometimes used to indicate multiple manifestations of this deity but often to reflect an intense veneration of one. The name יashtârôth appears on the Biblical stage when Israel has just settled in Canaan. After Joshua died, the Israelites forsook YHVH and began to dedicate themselves to Baal and יashtârôth (Judges 2:13). Again after the death of the judge Jair, Israel followed the Baals and יashtârôth (Judges 10:6). During the days of Samuel, Israel rejected יashtârôth (I Samuel 7:4, 12:10) but when king Saul died on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines took his weapons and placed them in their temple of יashtârôth (I Samuel 31:10). We don’t hear from יashtârôth or יashtôreth, until no other than Solomon reintroduces it during the final days of his life (I Kings 11:5). Our name יashtârôth is commonly spelled עשתרות but the shorter form עשתרת is applied once to Og’s hometown (Deuteronomy 1:4) and once to a plural of יashtôreth (I Samuel 7:4). The etymology and meaning of the name יashtârôth are a bit complicated. Please see our article on יashtôreth for a closer look.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H6252, - עַשְׁתָּרוֹת,ss or עַשְׁתָּרֹת,o - יashtârôth,o or יashtârôth, pronounced - ash-taw-rothי or ash-taw-rothי, and means: Plural of H6251; accumulate, increase. Ashtaroth, the name of a Sidonian deity, and of a place East of the Jordan: - Ashtaroth, Astaroth. See also H1045, H6253, H6255. Total KJV occurrences: 12.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “ashיtârôth and once asיtârôth, A star. A city on the east of Jordan in Bashan, in the kingdom of Og, doubtless so called from being a seat of the worship of the goddess of the same name Deuteronomy 1:4; Joshua 9:10; 12:4; 13:12.”.
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יAshtôreth=(increase; and, a star) (ash-toי-reth)
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The Description of יAshtôreth is in False gods and idols: יAshtôreth=For a detailed description of יAshtôreth, including this false gods mention in Father’s Word, the etymology of his name, the Strong’s Concordance definition of his name, and the Smith’s Bible Dictionary information, click here.
ashtoreth
יAshtôreth=יAshtôreth is singular, while יashtârôth is plural. The worship of this false god is an abomination to Father! Wherever we read the word “grove” in Father’s Word, we are reading of יăshêrâh or יashtôreth worship and the worship of this false god was practiced by the heathenistic peoples—i.e., the amorites, the canaanites, the edomites, the gibeonites, the girgashites, the hittites, the hivites, the jebusites, and the perizzites—who inhabited the land before Father moved our forefathers into the land they inhabited. Father told our forefathers to utterly destroy these peoples because of what they were doing, but also because He knew that if our forefathers did not destroy them, then they too would begin to worship their false gods. Just what was grove, יashtôreth or יăshêrâh worship? This abominable, detestable practice was performed by going out into a grove of trees in a forest, cutting or shaping of the trunks of the trees as the idols and images—groves—are done to excite the worshippers into the practice, and Father hates the practice. It was from this form that the religious practices of “evolution” that we have today came from, giving “chance,” and the reproductive processes of men and women the credit of creation and salvation for mankind. It leaves Father אלהים, ELOHIM—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices,: ELOHIM—the genus God, in other words, Father in His role of Creator of all things. From Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible, Appendix 4 (click here): “ELOHIM occurs 2,700 times. Its first occurrence connects it with creation, and gives it its essential meaning as the Creator. It indicates His relation to mankind as His creatures (see note on II Chronicles 18:31, where it stands in contrast with YEHOVAH as indicating covenant relationship). ELOHIM is God the Son, the living “WORD” with creature form to create (John 1:1; Colossians 1:15-17; Revelation 3:14); and later, with human form to redeem (John 1:14). “Begotten of His Father before all worlds; born of His mother, in the world.” In this creature form He appeared to the Patriarchs, a form not temporarily assumed.”. Dr. Bullinger further notes in his Companion notes to this verse, that “(with Art.) = the [true] God.”, out of the creation process, and man ends up worshipping the creation and himself, rather than the Creator, Who is The ONE and ONLY True Living God. In some religions, symbols mean everything; and the יăshêrâh, or the “phallus” was the symbol for the baal worship. The forming of this symbol in their formed images, made from the topping of a tree, and shaping of it became the image of worship. What started out to be the honoring of the origin of life; became a corrupted form of worshipping of the organs that produce the life. These symbols in turn, became the incentive to all forms of impurity, which in time turned into nothing but sexual orgies. Since the creation of man on the sixth day and no written knowledge of what they were worshipping, we don’t really know when this all started. However, we also can look to what was happening and happened when the fallen angels came in Genesis 6—click here—we know that they were mating with women and doing who knows what else sexually with them; but, suffice it to say, that is was probably perverted, and from it also they were worshipping the reproductive organs. We do know some of this started also in the ancient Canaanite religions, which originated way back in Nimrod’s day, who was the grandson of Noah, the son of Ham. Ham had four sons and their names were Cush, Mizraim, Phut, and Canaan. Canaan was the father of the Canaanites who were the originators of the current baal, and יashtôrâh. Nimrod was the son of Cush. It was for this reason that Father gave the commandment to Israel that when they entered into the Promised Land — Father told Abram that He was going to allow some of this to come to pass back in Genesis 15—click here—but as soon as they came out of Egypt, they were to kill all of the Canaanites, tare down their images and destroy their groves. That’s right, Father said to utterly destroy all the men, women and children, and even their animals. Sadly, they did not listen to Father; they did not destroy the Canaanites but mixed in with them and also the Gibeonites—Hivites—as we can read of in Joshua 9—click here—because of their disobedience to Father, the Israelites have brought all their troubles upon themselves. † For the etymology of the name יashtôreth, we read the following in Abarim-Publications: “יAshtôreth (that’s singular; יashtârôth is plural) is the Hebrew name of a female fertility goddess, which was worshipped from Egypt to Mesopotamia, and by various and often related names. Sometimes these names were phonetic adaptations of originals, grafted on existing verbal stems, which already meant something. Because of this, these adopted names reflected meanings that may not have been the same as the original, and the associated deities might evolve separately into different personalities. Examples of these (semi-)same and similarly named fertility goddesses are Astarte, Attart, Athor, Ishtar—my note here, sadly, this is who today’s Christians are ignorantly worshipping when they celebrate their “easter,” notice the similarity between ishtar and easter, easter is only found 1 (one) place in all of Father’s Word Acts 12:4 and even there, our King James translators mis-translated the word pascha, Greek word number: G3957,—and possibly Isis. On other occasions, the new names were translations or interpretations of the original, which resulted in whole other names but with similar meanings. Examples of this kind are Aphrodite, Juno, Diana and Venus. It’s ultimately unclear which name is the oldest, and which original idea was expressed in the worship of this deity, but she’s often connected with stars, or specifically the evening star or Venus. The similar-sounding names seem to have a common root that has to do with blessedness, and its link to this goddess’ celestial attributes gave us the word star (or vice versa). The singular name יashtôreth occurs a mere three times in the Bible. In I Kings 11:5 we are told that in his later years, the proverbially wise king Solomon followed יashtôreth, the goddess of the Sidonians. When Jeroboam rebelled against Solomon on account of the latter building the mysterious Millo (I Kings 11:27), the prophet Ahijah informed Jeroboam that the united kingdom of Israel would breach as a result of the worship of, among others, יashtôreth (I Kings 11:33). The shrines that Solomon built for יashtôreth would not be demolished until the reforms of king Josiah, almost four centuries later (II Kings 23:13). The “Queen of Heaven” as mentioned by Jeremiah is probably Ishtar, the Assyrian version of יashtôreth (Jeremiah 7:18, 44:17-19, 44:25). Our name in plural occurs a few more times, first in Judges 2:13, but see our article on יashtârôth for the details. Our name in plural also belonged to a city in Bashan (Deuteronomy 1:4). There is also a town called יashtôreth-karnaim. It’s mentioned in the story of the War of Four Against Five Kings as the place where the tetrad alliance defeated the Rephaim (Genesis 14:5). The second part of our name and word could be construed to have to do with the plural word תרת (torot; Jeremiah 44:23), meaning laws, instructions or in this case: customs. It’s the plural of the familiar word תורה (tora): The name יashtôreth is probably a phonetic rendering of something that meant something else in another language, but the way it was transliterated into Hebrew, it looks like it is a compressed version of עשת תרת ss(יashat torot), meaning something like Cohesiveness Of Instructions, an obvious reference to the one-ness of all natural forces and thus the one-ness of its Creator. Here at Abarim Publications we’re guessing that the phrase עשתרות צאנך (ashtarot soיnek) does not relay the fertility of a herd of sheep, but rather their propensity to stay together as one group. When two or more herds meet, the herds with the weaker cohesion will be assimilated by the one with greater cohesion. It’s that same עשתרות צאנך (ashtarot soיnek) that let the Jews and the Jewish culture survive for 2,000 years while various other famous peoples, from the Scythians to the Medes, are gone for good. Moreover, when YHVH speaks of עשתרות צאנך (ashtarot soיnek), He’s probably not speaking about someone’s life stock.” † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H6253, - עַשְׁתֹּרֶת,o - יashtôreth, pronounced - ash-toי-reth, and means: Probably for H6251; increase; Ashtoreth, the Phoenician goddess of love (and increase): - Ashtoreth. Total KJV occurrences: 3.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “A star. The principal female divinity of the Phœnicians, called Ishtar by the Assyrians and Astarte by the Greeks and Romans. She was by some ancient writers identified with the moon. But on the other hand the Assyrian Ishtar was not the moon-goddess, but the planet Venus; and Astarte was by many identified with the goddess Venus (or Aphrodite), as well as with the plant of that name. It is certain that the worship of Astarte became identified with that of Venus, and that this worship was connected with the most impure rites is apparent from the close connection of this goddess with יăshêrâh, I Kings 11:5,33; II Kings 23:13.”.
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baal
baal (baalim)=baal is the masculine, whereas baalim is the feminine of baal. When we speak of baal\baalim, we have to include the worship of יăshêrâh, יashtôrâh, and\or יashtôreth, because they are tied together as a unit. Wherever baal worship exists, the groves are mentioned, as well as the word “יăshêrâh.” The word “יăshêrâh” in the Hebrew is from the root word “יăshâr,” and it means “to be straight, erect, or upright.” It is from this word that we get the moral reference, “to be upright,” hence happy and/or prosper. The male part called “יăshêrâh”—baal—is distinguished from “יashtôreth” the female goddess, yet the images are worshipped together. The יashtôreth being representative of the productive—or passive—principle of life; and “baal“ or “יăshêrâh” being representative of the generative—or active—part of the process for producing life. In other words, this is using the sexual process in a form of worship, and the shaping of the trunks of the trees as the idols and images—groves—are done to excite the worshippers into the practice, and Father hates the practice. It was from this form that the religious practices of “evolution” that we have today came from, giving “chance,” and the reproductive processes of men and women the credit of creation and salvation for mankind. It leaves Father אלהים, ELOHIM—from Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible Appendices,: ELOHIM—the genus God, in other words, Father in His role of Creator of all things. From Dr. Bullinger’s Companion Bible, Appendix 4 (click here): “ELOHIM occurs 2,700 times. Its first occurrence connects it with creation, and gives it its essential meaning as the Creator. It indicates His relation to mankind as His creatures (see note on II Chronicles 18:31, where it stands in contrast with YEHOVAH as indicating covenant relationship). ELOHIM is God the Son, the living “WORD” with creature form to create (John 1:1; Colossians 1:15-17; Revelation 3:14); and later, with human form to redeem (John 1:14). “Begotten of His Father before all worlds; born of His mother, in the world.” In this creature form He appeared to the Patriarchs, a form not temporarily assumed.”. Dr. Bullinger further notes in his Companion notes to this verse, that “(with Art.) = the [true] God.”, out of the creation process, and man ends up worshipping the creation and himself, rather than the Creator, Who is The ONE and ONLY True Living God. In some religions, symbols mean everything; and the יăshêrâh, or the “phallus” was the symbol for the baal worship. The forming of this symbol in their formed images, made from the topping of a tree, and shaping of it became the image of worship. What started out to be the honoring of the origin of life; became a corrupted form of worshipping of the organs that produce the life. These symbols in turn, became the incentive to all forms of impurity, which in time turned into nothing but sexual orgies. Since the creation of man on the sixth day and no written knowledge of what they were worshipping, we don’t really know when this all started. However, we also can look to what was happening and happened when the fallen angels came in Genesis 6—click here—we know that they were mating with women and doing who knows what else sexually with them; but, suffice it to say, that is was probably perverted, and from it also they were worshipping the reproductive organs. We do know some of this started also in the ancient Canaanite religions, which originated way back in Nimrod’s day, who was the grandson of Noah, the son of Ham. Ham had four sons and their names were Cush, Mizraim, Phut, and Canaan. Canaan was the father of the Canaanites who were the originators of the current baal, and יashtôrâh. Nimrod was the son of Cush. It was for this reason that Father gave the commandment to Israel that when they entered into the Promised Land — Father told Abram that He was going to allow some of this to come to pass back in Genesis 15—click here—but as soon as they came out of Egypt, they were to kill all of the Canaanites, tare down their images and destroy their groves. That’s right, Father said to utterly destroy all the men, women and children, and even their animals. Sadly, they did not listen to Father; they did not destroy the Canaanites but mixed in with them and also the Gibeonites—Hivites—as we can read of in Joshua 9—click here—because of their disobedience to Father, the Israelites have brought all their troubles upon themselves. That’s right, Father said to utterly destroy all the men, women and children, and even their animals. Sadly, they did not listen to Father; they did not destroy the Canaanites but mixed in with them and also the Gibeonites—Hivites—as we can read of in Joshua 9—click here—because of their disobedience to Father, the Israelites have brought all their troubles upon themselves. † For the etymology of the name Baalim, we read the following in Abarim-Publications: “The word Baal is derived from the common Hebrew verb בעל (baיal), meaning to own or possess. New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List translates the name Baal with lord, Possessor, Husband. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary lists an enormous array of meanings but sticks with Possessor where translating the many specific Baal names. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names grimly states lord.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H1168, - בַּעַל, - baיal, pronounced - bahי-al, and means: The same as H1167; master, hence, a husband, Baal, a Phoenician deity: - Baal, [plural] Baalim. Total KJV occurrences: 81.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “lord. The supreme male divinity—the following emphasis is this Pastor’s and author of this Study—of the Phoenician and Canaanitish nations, as יashtôreth was their supreme female divinity. Some suppose Baal to correspond to the sun and יashtôreth to the moon; others that Baal was Jupiter and יashtôreth Venus. There can be no doubt of the very high antiquity of the worship of Baal. It prevailed in the time of Moses among the Moabites and Midianites, Numbers 22:41, and through them spread to the Israelites, Numbers 25:3-18; Deuteronomy 4:3. In the times of the kings it became the religion of the court and people of the ten tribes, I Kings 16:31-33; 18:19, 22, and appears never to have been permanently abolished among them, II Kings 17:16. Temples were erected to Baal in Judah, I Kings 16:32, and he was worshipped with much ceremony, I Kings 18:19, 26-28; II Kings 10:22. The attractiveness of this worship to the Jews undoubtedly grew out of its licentious character. We find this worship also in Phoenician colonies. The religion of the ancient British islands much resembled this ancient worship of Baal, and may have been derived from it. Nor need we hesitate to regard the Babylonian Bel, Isaiah 46:1, or Belus, as essentially identical with Baal, though perhaps under some modified form. The plural, Baalim, is found frequently, showing that he was probably worshipped under different compounds.”.
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baal berith
baal berith=Sadly, we know the false god baal means lord or master, as such, baal berith means lord of the covenant, and our forefathers—namely the judge Gideon’s father, after the death of his son, enticed our forefathers into worshipping this false god as can be read of in Judges 8:33—(click here)—and 9:4—(click here)—tried replacing Father in His role of YHVH, the One and Only True Covenant Maker and Keeper with this false god. † For the etymology of the name baal berith, we read the following in Abarim-Publications: “The name Baal-berith obviously consists of two elements. The first part is the familiar word בעל (baיal), Baal, meaning lord or master: The second part of our name is the same as the feminine noun ברית (berit), meaning covenant: For a meaning of the name Baal-berith, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads the rather awkward Lord Of Covenant. Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names properly concludes that a construction like this is best translated with a plural, and reads Lord Of Covenants. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary appears to omit this name. It’s quite possible, and probably even insinuated, that Baal-berith was devised after the covenant Joshua renewed for the people of Israel, at the end of the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 24:6). To commemorate that event, Joshua erected a stone. Close to Shechem was also a place named Beth-millo, or the House Of The Monolith, and Beth-baal-berith may in fact be the same as Beth-millo.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H1170, - בַּעַל בְּרִית, - Baיal Beriyth, pronounced - bahי-al-ath beh-ayrי and means: From H1168 and H1285; baal of (the) covenant, Baal Berith, a special deity of the Shechemites: Baal berith. Total KJV occurrences: 2.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “The covenant baal. Judges 8:33; 9:4; the god who comes into covenant with the worshippers.”.
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bel
bel=This false diety was the Aramaic form of Baal, the national god of the Babylonians, and is mentioned in Isaiah 46:1; and Jeremiah 50:2; 51:44. It signifies “lord.” † For the etymology of the name bel, we read the following in Abarim-Publications: “Bel is the name of the patron deity of Babylon. According to The Oxford Companion To The Bible, Bel is another name of Marduk. Marduk is mentioned only once in the Bible, by the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 50:2). Bel gets a little more Biblical screen time, both from Jeremiah (Jeremiah 50:2, 51:44) and Isaiah (Isaiah 46:1). The Septuagint features three apocryphal additions to the Book of Daniel, one of which is a two-parter titled Bel and the Dragon. In the Bel story, Daniel insists that food offered to Bel isn’t eaten by Bel, and sets out to reveal the identity of the midnight snacker: Bel’s priests, who are subsequently executed. The name Bel is closely related to that of Baal, the patron deity of Canaan, and both names simply mean lord (or owner, husband, etc.): It’s now commonly believed that there was no actual person behind these gods, so it’s without merit to say that Bel and Baal are the same. Obviously, a collective or focused religious reverence of the Babylonian culture is not the same as that of the Canaan culture, and their manifestations (namely Bel and Baal) are also not the same. And that these cultures called their gods lord is also not so unthinkable, as modern believers do the same thing. It may also be that the Bel worshipers called their deity lord, but that the authors of the final version of our Bible (who lived in Babel and competed with the Bel cult), transliterated this name deliberately into בל (Bel), so that it strongly resembled the adverb בל (bal), which is a particle of negation meaning “not”. It comes from the root בלה (bala), meaning to be old or worn out: Bel sounds as much like lord as it does like Nope!.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H1078, - בֵּל, - bêl, pronounced - bale, and means: By contraction for H1168; Bel, the Baal of the Babylonians: - Bel. Total KJV occurrences: 3.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Bel. See baal.”.
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chemosh
chemosh=Chemosh Was the sun god worshipped by the Moabites, and the ammonites, and is identified somewhat with baal-peor, of which we read of in Numbers 23—(Click here)—and 25—(click here)—we read the following in Numbers 23:28—(Click here)—which reads: Numbers 23:28 And BalakH1111 broughtH3947 (H853) BalaamH1109 unto the topH7218 of Peor,H6465 that lookethH8259 towardH5921 H6440 Jeshimon.H3452 —> Balak took Balaam to a high place where they worship baal, thinking that they can worship Father YHVH here as well. He just doesn’t get—like most Christians today—that you cannot Worship Father and any other gods—lower case “g”—at the same time or place. There is only one True God, and He is ELOAH, The One and Only True Living God. Peor was the mountain on which baal was worshipped. What does Peor mean? In the Hebrew, in the Strong’s, it is word number H6465 and means: gap, or opening. † For the etymology of the name chemosh, we read the following in Abarim-Publications: “It’s a mystery where the name Chemosh comes from. It’s obviously Semitic but in Hebrew there is no triliteral root כמש (kms), as far as we know. According to recovered Moabite texts, the father of king Mesha (מישע) of Moab was called Chemoshmelek (כמשמלך, an extra-biblical name comparable in form to Biblical names like Elimelech and Abimelech), which seems to suggest that Chemosh (כמוש) may be Che-mesha, formed from the prefix כ (ke): And the verb ישע (yashav) meaning to save: It’s highly likely that the Hebrew authors who wrote down this name knew very well what it was supposed to mean in Moabite, but as they copied it from Moabite into Hebrew, it came to mean something else (something similar would occur with, say, the German word schlimm, meaning bad or terrible, which transliterated into Dutch would be slim, meaning clever or smart, which in English means slender or thin). As is, the name Chemosh in Hebrew looks like it consists of כ (ke) plus an expression of the verb מוש (mush): It’s ultimately unknown what the name Chemosh meant to the Moabites, but to the Hebrew authors it may originally have sounded like As If He Saves, but made to sound like it meant As If He Feels or As If He Moves.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H3645, - כּמיש,ss or כּמוש, - kemôsh, or kemı̂ysh, pronounced - kem-osheי or kem-eeshי, and means: From an unused root meaning: to subdue; the powerful; Kemosh, the god of the Moabites: - Chemosh. Total KJV occurrences: 9.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible dictionary, where we read: “Subduer. The national deity of the Moabites Numbers 21:29;Jeremiah 48:7,13,46. In Judges 11:24 he also appears as the god of the Ammonites. Solomon introduced, and Josiah abolished, the worship of Chemosh at Jerusalem I kings 11:7; II Kings 23:13. Also identified with Baal-peor, Baalzebub, Mars and Saturn.”.
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dagon
dagon=This man-made false deity was the fictitious fish-god of the Philistines and was represented as having the torso of a fish, with the hands and head of a man. The first introduction to dagon in Father’s Word was in the story of Samson in Judges 16—(click here)—where we read: Judges 16:23 Then the lordsH5633 of the PhilistinesH6430 gathered them togetherH622 for to offerH2076 a greatH1419 sacrificeH2077 unto DagonH1712 their god,H430 and to rejoice:H8057 for they said,H559 “Our godH430 hath deliveredH5414 (H853) SamsonH8123 our enemyH341 into our hand.”H3027” —> The Philistines were incorrect, as it was Father who delivered Samson into their hand in order to fulfill His plan; see, through Samson, more Philistines will lose their lives than at any time previous in Father’s Word. We next read in I Samuel 5—(click here)—of this false deity in the account of the Philistines capturing Father’s Ark. Again, it was Father Who allowed His Ark to be taken by the Philistines, as our forefathers had taken His Ark to the front-lines in their battle against the Philistines, without first seeking Father. Because they did not seek Him, He gave them into the Philistines hands and the Philistines were allowed to capture His Ark. But, again, this too was part of Father’s Plan, as He was going to show and prove to the Philistines that He is The One and Only True Living God. Let’s turn to I Samuel 5 and read what happened when the Philistines had His Ark: I Samuel 5:1 And the PhilistinesH6430 tookH3947 (H853) the arkH727 of God,H430 and broughtH935 it from Eben-ezerH4480 H72 unto Ashdod.H795 —> When the Philistines had captured Father’s Ark, they took it to Eben-ezer. Now, we read here that they then took it to their capital city of Ashdod. Ashdod was one of the five confederate cities of the Philistines, situated about 30 miles from the southern frontier of Palestine, 3 miles from the Mediterranean Sea, and nearly midway between Gaza and Joppa. It was assigned to the tribe of Judah in Joshua 15:47; but, was never subdued by our forefathers. Its chief importance arose from its position on the high road from Palestine to Egypt. [5:2] When the PhilistinesH6430 tookH3947 (H853) the arkH727 of God,H430 they broughtH935 it into the houseH1004 of Dagon,H1712 and setH3322 it byH681 Dagon.H1712 —> Big, big error here on the part of the Philistines. You don’t take something from The One and Only True Living God, Eloah, and place it in or next to your false god and think things will be OK. Here is how foolish or stupid these Philistines are, for in I Samuel 4:7—(click here)—they said they knew how He had fought for the Israelites and brought them up out of Egypt. Let’s read it: I Samuel 4:7 And the PhilistinesH6430 were afraid,H3372 forH3588 they said,H559 “GodH430 is comeH935 intoH413 the camp.”H4264 And they said,H559 “WoeH188 unto us! forH3588 there hath notH3808 beenH1961 such a thingH2063 heretofore.H865 H8032 —> These Philistines were afraid of Father, and rightfully so; for, they knew how powerful and mighty He is, listen to what they say in the next verse: [4:8] WoeH188 unto us! whoH4310 shall deliverH5337 us out of the handH4480 H3027 of theseH428 mightyH117 Gods?H430 theseH428 are the GodsH430 that smoteH5221 (H853) the EgyptiansH4714 with allH3605 the plaguesH4347 in the wilderness.H4057 —> They knew it was Father Who smote the Egyptians with the plagues and yet they are still ignorant enough now, to bring His Ark to their “fortified” city and place it in the house of their “make-believe” god — dagon. What do you think Father will do? [5:3] And when they of AshdodH795 arose earlyH7925 on the morrow,H4480 H4283 behold,H2009 DagonH1712 was fallenH5307 upon his faceH6440 to the earthH776 beforeH6440 the arkH727 of the LORD.H3068 And they tookH3947 (H853) Dagon,H1712 and setH7725 him in his placeH4725 again. —> Father was present in that temple in Ashdod; for the Ark of the Covenant was not the presence of Father, but it was His place of abode here on earth. The blessed artifacts that Father had set before man to remind them of His faithfulness and love for us were all stored in the Ark of the Covenant. They were reminders of His Word and Promises which he gave to His People, the Israelites. They were not intended for the heathen; yet, through the failure of the high priest, Eli, and the priesthood—Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas—and their indifference, here sat the Mercy Seat of God before the fictitious dagon, and dagon simply could not stand before the True God. The mercy seat is where Father gives His mercy to all those who will call out to Him and ask it. Yet even today, people will not call out to Father for mercy, even when it is there before them to freely ask for. In His presence, these Philistines’ false god fell on its face, and when they entered into the house of dagon the next morning, they saw their god lying there on its face in the dirt before the Ark of YHVH. And they had to set it in an upright position again, for it had no powers to set itself upright. [5:4] And when they arose earlyH7925 on the morrowH4480 H4283 morning,H1242 behold,H2009 DagonH1712 was fallenH5307 upon his faceH6440 to the groundH776 beforeH6440 the arkH727 of the LORD;H3068 and the headH7218 of DagonH1712 and bothH8147 the palmsH3709 of his handsH3027 were cut offH3772 uponH413 the threshold;H4670 onlyH7535 the stump of DagonH1712 was leftH7604 toH5921 him. —> All that was left of the image of Dagon was the stump; the human portions were completely cut-off and removed from the fish portion. Do you think these Philistines have gotten the message yet that Father—ELOAH—is The One and Only True Living God? No, sadly for them, they have not. Even though they are seeing with their own eyes, they believe not. All it took was for one non-believer to tell them that they could beat the Israelites and their God; and they gained the courage to stand and fight. Today is no different, for many today still just cannot see Father and His majesty, His splendor. Today, we have those one or two atheists and homosexuals standing and telling the other nonbelievers—“there is no God, only humanism, therefore do as your flesh desires for there are no consequences”—and others just follow along because they now also have courage to stand against Father and His ways. They will find that when they too awaken — open their spiritual eyes either upon death or at Jesus’ return, that their gods of humanism, sodomy and such will likewise be broken. The good news for them, is that when Jesus does return for His Second Advent, they’ll have one thousand years to accept Him and His ways. [5:5] ThereforeH5921 H3651 neitherH3808 the priestsH3548 of Dagon,H1712 nor anyH3605 that comeH935 into Dagon’sH1712 house,H1004 treadH1869 onH5921 the thresholdH4670 of DagonH1712 in AshdodH795 untoH5704 thisH2088 day.H3117 —> Father was finally getting their attention that their god dagon could not stand in His presence and after they removed the human portions, no one who from then on entered into the house of dagon stepped on the threshold, they all jumped over it for they were afraid that they too might have their hands and head cut off. [5:6] But the handH3027 of the LORDH3068 was heavyH3513 uponH413 them of Ashdod,H795 and he destroyedH8074 them, and smoteH5221 them with emerods,H6076 even(H853) AshdodH795 and the coastsH1366 thereof. —> Destroyed them=This translates back to the Hebrew meaning that Father got their attention, He really astonished or scared them because in the Strong’s Concordance, this is Hebrew Word number: H8074, - שָ מֵם, - shâmêm, pronounced - shaw-mameי, and means: A primitive root; to stun (or intransitively grow numb) , that is, devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense): - make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish (-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate (-ion, places) , be destitute, destroy (self) , (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder. Total KJV occurrences: 89.. Yes, it could also have meant that He destroyed them; but, when combined with the rest of the verse, you see that Father did not kill them, only truly got their attention so that they no longer wanted His Ark in their presence. How did Father amaze them? By giving every one of them emerods, or what we today call hemorrhoids. And, I mean, they were deep, painful hemorrhoids; so bad, that none of them any longer wanted His Ark in their city. [5:7] And when the menH376 of AshdodH795 sawH7200 thatH3588 it was so,H3651 they said,H559 “The arkH727 of the GodH430 of IsraelH3478 shall notH3808 abideH3427 withH5973 us: forH3588 His handH3027 is soreH1785 uponH5921 us, and uponH5921 DagonH1712 our god.”H430” —> These Philistines took a beating for their taking the Ark of the Covenant as one of their spoils of war and bringing it to Ashdod. They knew exactly where their trouble was coming from, and Who was at the cause of their discomfort. The fact that dagon’s head and hands were broke off showed that dagon had no power for them anymore; and with all the inhabitants having their hemorrhoids, it shows us that Father does have a sense of humor. † For the etymology of the name dagon, we read the following in Abarim-Publications: “Dagon of the Philistines is often assumed to be a kind of fish-god, which was known with some degree of variation from Babylon to Egypt. This fish-god, with the body of a fish but human hands and head, appeared under different names (for instance Odakon), even to the extent that it becomes difficult to establish where one deity ends and the next one begins. Sometimes he is a fertility god, sometimes a storm god and sometimes a maritime god. There was a fish-god named Dagan in Assyria and Babylon and scholars generally agree that this name came from a root dgn, meaning grain. But in his article on the Philistine Dagon in Hastings Dictionary of the Bible, N. Koenig states that “an identification of this god [Dagon] with the Babylonian Dagan is doubtful”. In his book The Cosmology of the Babylonians, Peter Jensen even stated that the Assyrian deity Dagan had nothing to do with a fish-man named Odakon. The Jewish Encyclopedia, on the other hand, declares by no means certain that Dagon, Odakon and the Assyrian Dakan/Dagan were unrelated. All these sources are somewhat archaic, and Harris Archer Waltke (HAW) Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament helpfully submits that “no modern scholar since the turn of the century [that’s 1900] follows Jerome and Kimchi who suggested on the basis of popular etymologizing that he was a fish-god. Many moderns [...] view him as a grain god”. The reason for all this confusion is that the Hebrew rendering of the name of this Philistine deity, דגון, appears to be derived from either the Hebrew word for fish, דג, or grain, דגן, and there’s a good chance that these two words are related and both in essence express a multitudinousness: For a meaning of the name Dagon, New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List reads Fish and Jones’ Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names proposes a rather elaborate Honored Fish. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary does not offer an interpretation of this name. In light of the above, however, it seems obvious that the Hebrews (or even the Philistines for that matter) wouldn’t understand the name Dagon as “fish” but rather as Abundance. And there’s much more to this: The historical parts of the Bible aren’t merely stories that sum up legendary facts, but much rather a commentary on how Yahvism won from the competing religions. By the time the Hebrew Bible was written, Yahvism experienced competition mostly from religions based on celestial deities, and abundance was a proverbial quality of stars (Genesis 15:5). Star-gazing was done by people who lived in darkness (Isaiah 9:2), the people who received the Word of God through parables, whereas the people of Israel received the great light of the Word of God as clearly as light of day (MARK 4:11). This tension between metaphorical stars and sun is clearly expressed in the stories concerning Dagon. This deity was first destroyed by Samson (whose name means Sun), and secondly by the Ark, which returned to Israel via Beth-shemesh (which means House Of The Sun). In that sense, the name Dagon means Astrology, or even more general: Polytheism, which was defeated by the slow but sure progress in theological thought that resulted in the advance of monotheism. By the time the Biblical Dagon stories received their final form, the Greeks were telling myths about the constellation Pisces (Fish; and the Philistines were most probable of Aegean descent). Their stories told of Aphrodite and Eros who escaped the hundred dragon-headed “father of all monsters” Typhon by jumping into the sea and transforming into the fish that are still visible in the night sky as the constellation Pisces. As noted by Joseph Campbell, the story of the final defeat of Typhon by Zeus finds it Biblical reflections in the story of YHVH defeating Leviathan (Job 41) and Rahab (Isaiah 51:9). But remember that the victories of YHVH aren’t the victories of man. Since revelation occurs gradually, human understanding evolves equally gradually from the darkness of ignorance (hence wars, sickness and poverty) to the light of understanding (hence peace, health and prosperity). The stories of Abraham leaving Ur of the Chaldeans and Israel leaving Egypt tell besides an obvious difference also of a shared origin. Immature understanding must always make way for a mature understanding, but as long as the immatures don’t declare war on the matures, the matures will always respectfully remember their ancestry. Note that the name Jesus is closely related to the name Joshua, and Joshua’s father was named Nun, which also means fish and also comes from a root that reflects abundance.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H1712, - דָּגוֹן, - dâgôn, pronounced - daw-gohnי, and means: From H1709; the fish-god; Dagon, a Philistine deity: - Dagon. Total KJV occurrences: 13.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “A fish. Apparently the masculine, I Samuel 5:3,4, correlative of Atargatis, was the national god of the Philistines. The most famous temples of Dagon were at Gaza, Judges 16:21-30, and Ashdod, I Samuel 5:5,6; I Chronicles 10:10. The latter temple was destroyed by Jonathan in the Maccabæan wars. Traces of the worship of Dagon likewise appear in the names Caphar-dagon (near Jamnia) and Beth-dagon in Judah, Joshua 15:41, and Asher, Joshua 19:27. Dagon was represented with the face and hands of a man and the tail of a fish, I Samuel 5:5. The fish-like form was a natural emblem of fruitfulness, and as such was likely to be adopted by seafaring tribes in the representation of their gods.”.
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merodach
merodach=Also known as marduk. Merodach is mentioned one time in Father’s Word, in Jeremiah 50:2, where we read: Jeremiah 50:2 “DeclareH5046 ye among the nations,H1471 and publish,H8085 and set upH5375 a standard;H5251 publish,H8085 and concealH3582 not:H408 say,H559 ‘BabylonH894 is taken,H3920 BelH1078 is confounded,H3001 MerodachH4781 is broken in pieces;H2844 her idolsH6091 are confounded,H3001 her imagesH1544 are broken in pieces.H2865 —> Merodach was also another another name for bel, the Babylonian false deity who supposedly presided over justice, compassion, healing, regeneration, magic, and fairness, although he is also sometimes referenced as a storm god and agricultural deity. † For the etymology of the name merodach, we read the following from Abarim Publications: “It’s not clear where the name Marduk comes from but Tikva Frymer-Kensky writes in The Encyclopedia Of Religion, that it was “probably pronounced Marutuk” and “probably derived from amar Utu, meaning Bull Calf Of [The Sun God] Utu”. In other words: it’s not really important what it originally meant, it’s much more important what it meant to the Hebrew authors, who made it a sport to slightly alter the names of famous people into telling nicknames (see for instance the names Nebuchadnezzar and Amraphel). The name Marutuk can be perfectly transliterated into Hebrew (מרתוך or מערטך or even מרתק) but they chose to spell it מרדך, and there are a few ways to interpret that: Our name might be meant as a combination of the prefix מ, meaning “place of” or “instrument of” plus an expression of a root רדך (rdk). Unfortunately, this root does not exist in the Hebrew of the Bible and there’s no telling whether it existed and if it did, what it meant. It may be derived from the verb מרד (marad), meaning to be rebellious or to revolt (see the name Mered). The final ך (kaph) could be ascribed to a second person feminine (Babylon is a she) singular pronominal suffix, and the whole combination might mean You Rebel or Your Rebellion. It may be derived from the same final ך, meaning the feminine “your,” plus the word מורד (morad), which comes from the verb ירד (yarad), meaning to go down or descend (see the names Jared and Jordan). Thus the name Marduk would mean Your Downfall. It may have as its core the verbs רדד (radad) or רדה (rada), which have to do with to beat down, subdue, or have dominion over (see the names Sepharad and Raddai). Thus our name would mean Your Subdual. It may be meant as a combination of two biliteral elements, such as the adjective מר (mar), meaning strong or bitter: And the adjective דך (dak), meaning crushed or oppressed: The name Marduk carries quite a few separate meanings in Hebrew but they all converge on the same or similar message. It’s pretty obvious that the Hebrew authors transliterated the name Marduk in such a way that it unequivocally conveyed their conclusion that Mardukan theology bitterly oppressed its adherers, would cause Babylon’s downfall and subsequent enslavement.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find the Hebrew word number for merodach, is Hebrew word number: H4781, - מְרֹדָךְ - merôdâk, - pronounced: mer-o-dawkי, and means: Of foreign derivation; Merodak, a Babylonian idol: - Merodach. Compare H4757. Total KJV occurrences: 1.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Death, slaughter. The name of a Babylonian god, probably the planet Mars (Jeremiah 50:2), or it may be another name of Bel, the guardian divinity of Babylon. This name frequently occurs as a surname to the kings of Assyria and Babylon.”.
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milcom
milcom=milcom was the false god worshipped by the Ammonites, and was essentially the exact same false god chemosh, worshipped by the ammonites cousins, the moabites. milcom is also called by another name, and that name is the false god molech, the god of fire. milcom and molech were worshipped in Old Testament times, by the abominable and detestable practice of burning peoples children in fires as a sacrifice; today, milcom and\or molechism is worshipped by what we term as abortion, the killing of the babies while still in the mothers womb. † For the etymology of the name milcom, we read the following in Abarim-Publications: “Alfred Jones (Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names) states that Milcom is another name for Molech, also an Ammonite god. But note that in II Kings 23:10 Molech is mentioned separately from Milcom in verse 13, and while I Kings 11:5 mentions Milcom of Ammon, verse 11:7 speaks of Molech. The name Milcom comes from the noun מלך (melek), meaning king: Where this name’s final letter ם (mem) comes from is disputed. One possibility is that the name Milcom comes from the Moabite language, and simply ended up like this due to linear transliteration. But to a Hebrew audiencev this final mem may certainly have represented meaning. Alfred Jones (Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names) recognizes in the names Malcam and Milcom intensitive forms of our noun מלך (melek), and translates Malcam with Most High King, and, curiously, Milcom with just High King. But this final mem could also be construed as the masculine plural pronominal suffix. That would give the names Malcam and Milcom the meaning of Their King. This latter interpretation is favored by New Open Bible Study Edition (NOBSE) Study Bible Name List. Brown Driver Briggs (BDB) Theological Dictionary refrains from interpreting these names.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H4445, - מַלְכָּם,ss or מִלְכּוֹם, - malkâm, or milkôm, pronounced - mal-kawmי or mil-komeי, and means: From H4428 king and H4432; molek (that is, king); Malcam or Milcom, the national idol of the Ammonites: - Malcham, Milcom. Total KJV occurrences: 5.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “Great king. See Molech.”.
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molech
molech=molech was the false deity of the Ammonites and their cousins the Moabites, who later introduced it to our forefathers, the Israelites. This false, man-made god was formed from brass; it had the body of a man and the head or face of a cow or calf, and it had “outstretched arms and hands” like a man ready to receive something, namely, an infant child. The worship molech in Old Testament times, was called molechism and was performed by the abominable and detestable practice of burning peoples children in fires as a sacrifice; today, molechism is worshipped by what we term as abortion — the killing of the babies while still in the mothers womb, Father hated the practice back in Old Testament times and He still hates the practice today. † For the etymology of the name molech, we read the following in Abarim-Publications: “Molech (or Moloch) is the name of an Ammonite deity, but whose cult spread over a much wider area. The worship of this particular vile specimen of theological folly included the sacrifice by fire of living children. Writers of old report that statues of Molech would be heated from within and children would be placed on this monster’s outstretched arms. Priests, in the meantime, would beat drums so that the parents of the sacrificial children wouldn’t hear their screams and lose heart. It’s quite difficult to imagine what may motivate a culture to develop a theology that requires one to sacrifice one’s offspring, but psychology tells us that humans tend to appreciate the things they have to work hard for or have to suffer for. Perhaps the priests of Molech would tell the parents that giving their children to Molech would really be best for them. Or perhaps they had somehow seen but not boarded the train of thought that caused Abraham to (almost) sacrifice Isaac, or YHVH to sacrifice his Son Jesus Christ. But how bad would one have to want something to sacrifice one’s own child in order to get it? The people who served Molech couldn’t have been mindless morons but must have been sincerely worried about their virtues. The blame, therefore, lies entirely with poor theology. The Bible obviously condemns the practice of sacrificing children. Note that the introductory prohibition, in Leviticus 18:21, occurs in a chapter on sexual sin. First the Lord prohibits incest of any kind, then looking upon a naked menstruating woman, then adultery, specifically with one’s neighbor’s wife, then the sacrifice of one’s offspring to Molech and the profanation of the Lord’s Name, and finally bestiality. Leviticus 20:1-5 specifies the laws concerning Molech, and explains that the Lord of Life equates giving one’s offspring to Molech with defiling his sanctuary and the profanation of His holy Name. Verse 5 seems to suggest that God views a visit to a whore — and act of intended sex without love and specifically designed to not result in reproduction — with sacrificing one’s children to Molech. In that light it’s even more remarkable that in his old age, Solomon, the proverbially wise king of Israel, allowed his wives to turn his heart away from the Lord of Life, and built a place of worship for Molech on a mountain east of Jerusalem (I Kings 11:7). It’s not clear whether Solomon actually sacrificed his own children to Molech, but at the time of the reforms of king Josiah, some three centuries after Solomon, when these monstrosities were destroyed, the Israelites were (II Kings 23:10). Another dozen or so years after Josiah, Judah was overrun by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian hordes. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God explains that He allowed Nebuchadnezzar to take Jerusalem because of the evil the Israelites committed, specifically by causing their sons and daughters pass through fire to Molech (Jeremiah 32:35). Much later, Stephen inserts Amos 5:25-27 into his final sermon (ACTS 7:43) and Molech (now called Moloch) is mentioned for the last time in the Bible. The name Molech is obviously related to the word מלך (melek), meaning king: We can’t know how the name of this deity was pronounced by the ancients (because there are no sound recordings from those days) so it’s a bit of a mystery how the word melek became the name Molech. One possibility is that when scholars began to pen down sounds, that is when the Bible was translated into Greek, they borrowed the sounds of the word בשת (boshet), meaning shame, and grafted them onto the vowels of our name, hence producing M-o-l-e-ch. Also note that the name Molech appears to have been preceded by the definite article as a rule: המלך (Hamolech), meaning the king. The name Molech means King and is of the same order of reverence as the names בעל (Baal), meaning “Master” or אדני (Adonai), meaning “Lord”.”. † Now from the Strong’s Concordance, where we find that it is Hebrew word number: H4432, - מֹלֶךְ, - môlek, - pronounced: moי-lek, and means: From H4427; Molek; (that is, king), the chief deity of the Ammonites: - Molech. Compare H4445. Total KJV occurrences: 9.. † Now from the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, where we read: “King. The fire-god Molech was the tutelary deity of the children of Ammon, and essentially identical with the Moabitish Chemosh. Fire-gods appear to have been common to all the Canaanite, Syrian, and Arab tribes, who worshipped the destructive element under an outward symbol, with the most inhuman rites. According to Jewish tradition, the image of Molech was of brass, hollow within, and was situated without Jerusalem. “His face was (that) of a calf, and his hands stretched forth like a man who opens his hands to receive (something) of his neighbor. And they kindled it with fire, and the priests took the babe and put it into the hands of Molech, and the babe gave up the ghost.” Many instances of human sacrifices are found in ancient writers, which may be compared with the description in the Old Testament of the manner in which Molech was worshipped. Molech was the lord and master of the Ammonites; their country was his possession, Jeremiah 49:1, as Moab was the heritage of Chemosh; the princes of the land were the princes of Malcham, Jeremiah 49:3; Amos 1:15. His priests were men of rank, Jeremiah 49:3, taking precedence of the princes. The priests of Molech, like those of other idols, were called Chemarim, II Kings 23:5; Hosea 10:5; Zephaniah 1:4.”.
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