And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.

LEVITICUS 20:3KJV
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Leviticus 20:3 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 20:3 mean?

Leviticus 20:3 says that God will turn against any person who gives their child to Molech, cutting them off from their community because this act defiles God’s sanctuary and dishonors His holy name. The verse strongly warns against participating in the worship of Molech, which was seen as a grave violation of Israel’s relationship with God.

In this verse, God is speaking through Moses to the Israelites, laying out the consequences for a specific forbidden act: offering one’s offspring to the pagan god Molech. This was not just a personal sin but something that polluted the entire community and the place where God’s presence dwelled. The warning highlights how seriously God viewed both the act itself and its impact on the holiness of His name and sanctuary.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 20:3

  • "Set" (נָתַן, natan): Here, God says He will "set" His face against the offender, meaning He will actively oppose or turn against that person, not just passively allow consequences.
  • "Face" (פָּנִים, panim): This word often refers to presence or attention. For God to "set His face against" someone is a way of saying He is directly confronting them with judgment.
  • "Molech" (מֹלֶךְ, Molekh): Molech was a Canaanite deity associated with child sacrifice. Mentioning Molech by name shows the seriousness of adopting foreign, destructive religious practices.
  • "Defile" (טָמֵא, tame): To "defile" God’s sanctuary means to make it unclean or unfit for God’s presence, stressing how this act affects the whole community’s relationship with God.

Why Leviticus 20:3 matters

  • This verse clarifies that certain actions, like child sacrifice, are not only personal sins but also affect the entire community and the holiness of God’s dwelling place.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s response is not distant; He is personally involved in upholding the sanctity of His name and sanctuary.
  • Leviticus 20:3 connects to a wider section warning Israel against adopting the practices of surrounding nations, showing the importance of distinctiveness and faithfulness in worship.

Where else these words appear

“Molech” Hebrew H4432 · used in 8 verses

  • 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.
  • 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.

“sanctuary” Hebrew H4720 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Psalms 68:35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
  • Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

“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.

“defile” Hebrew H2930 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 34:5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.
  • Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
  • Deuteronomy 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day;(for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.