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.

LEVITICUS 18:21KJV
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Leviticus 18:21 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 18:21 mean?

Leviticus 18:21 commands the Israelites not to allow any of their children to be sacrificed by fire to Molech, and not to dishonor the name of their God, because God is the LORD. The verse is a clear prohibition against a specific pagan ritual and a reminder to respect God's holiness.

In this verse, God is speaking to the people of Israel through Moses, giving instructions about how they are to live differently from the surrounding nations. The reference to Molech points to a Canaanite deity associated with child sacrifice, a practice God strictly forbids. The second part of the verse links this command to the importance of honoring God's name, showing that such acts are not just wrong actions but also a direct insult to God’s character and reputation.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 18:21

  • מֹלֶךְ (Molech, transliteration: Molekh): This word refers to a Canaanite god to whom children were sometimes sacrificed by fire. The mention of Molech highlights that the command is about rejecting the religious practices of neighboring peoples.
  • חָלַל (chalal, transliteration: chalal): This word means "to profane" or "to make common." Here, it stresses that participating in such rituals would make God’s name ordinary or dishonored, rather than set apart and holy.
  • שֵׁם (shem, transliteration: shem): This word means "name," but in Hebrew thought, it often stands for reputation, character, or authority. Profaning God’s name means damaging how God is known and respected among people.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, transliteration: Adonai or Yahweh): This is the personal name of God, often translated as "the LORD." Its use here underlines the authority behind the command and the unique relationship between God and Israel.

Why Leviticus 18:21 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s people are to reject the most extreme forms of pagan worship, especially those that involve violence or harm to children.
  • The connection between ritual actions and God’s name shows that what people do reflects on God’s reputation, not just their own.
  • In the wider passage, this command is part of a series of laws meant to set Israel apart from other nations, emphasizing both moral and spiritual distinctiveness.

Where else these words appear

“Molech” Hebrew H4432 · used in 8 verses

  • Leviticus 20:2 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.
  • Leviticus 20:4 And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not:
  • 1 Kings 11:7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

“profane” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first battle.
  • Jeremiah 16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.