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Monday, August 11th, 2025
the Week of Proper 14 / Ordinary 19
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Good News Translation

Leviticus 20:3

If any of you give one of your children to Molech and make my sacred Tent unclean and disgrace my holy name, I will turn against you and will no longer consider you my people.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - God;   Idolatry;   Molech;   Offerings;   Punishment;   Sanitation;   The Topic Concordance - Counsel;   Idolatry;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Defilement;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Molech;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Kill, Killing;   Marriage;   Murder;   Punishment;   Worship;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Jephthah's Vow;   Moloch;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Jephthah;   Law;   Moloch;   Punishments;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Capital Punishment;   Crimes and Punishments;   Gods, Pagan;   Human Sacrifice;   Leviticus;   Molech;   Pentateuch;   Sanctification;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Canon of the Old Testament;   Child, Children;   Congregation, Assembly;   Crimes and Punishments;   Deuteronomy;   Hexateuch;   Holiness;   Law;   Molech, Moloch;   Priests and Levites;   Sanctification, Sanctify;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Molech ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Jephthah;   Stoning;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Law of Moses;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Moloch;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Peculiarities of the Law of Moses;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ammon;   Crime;   Defile;   Father;   Holiness;   Molech;   Phoenicia;   Punishments;   Relationships, Family;   Sacrifice, Human;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Family and Family Life;   Father;   Holiness;   Moloch (Molech);  

Parallel Translations

Hebrew Names Version
I also will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he has given of his seed to Molekh, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
And I myself will set my face against that man, and I will cut him off from the midst of his people, because he has given some of his offspring to Molech, so that he makes my sanctuary unclean and profanes my holy name.
New Century Version
I will be against him and cut him off from his people, because he gave his children to Molech. He showed that he did not respect my holy name, and he made my Holy Place unclean.
New English Translation
I myself will set my face against that man and cut him off from the midst of his people, because he has given some of his children to Molech and thereby defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name.
Amplified Bible
'I will also set My face against that man [opposing him, withdrawing My protection from him] and will cut him off from his people [excluding him from the atonement made for them], because he has given some of his children to Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary and profane My holy name.
New American Standard Bible
'I will also set My face against that man and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given some of his children to Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary and to profane My holy name.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And I will set my face against that man and cut him off from among his people, because he hath giuen his children vnto Molech, for to defile my Sanctuarie, and to pollute mine holye Name.
Legacy Standard Bible
I will also set My face against that man and will cut him off from among his people because he has given some of those who are his seed to Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary and to profane My holy name.
Contemporary English Version
They have disgraced both the place where I am worshiped and my holy name, and so I will turn against them and no longer let them belong to my people.
Complete Jewish Bible
I too will set myself against him and cut him off from his people, because he has sacrificed his child to Molekh, defiling my sanctuary and profaning my holy name.
Darby Translation
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, so as to make my sanctuary unclean, and to profane my holy name.
Easy-to-Read Version
I will be against them and separate them from their people, because they gave their children to Molech. They showed that they did not respect my holy name. And they made my holy place unclean.
English Standard Version
I myself will set my face against that man and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given one of his children to Molech, to make my sanctuary unclean and to profane my holy name.
George Lamsa Translation
And I will pour out my anger against that man and will cut him off from among his people; because he has cast his semen into an alien woman to defile my sanctuary and to profane my holy name.
Christian Standard Bible®
I will turn against that man and cut him off from his people, because he gave his offspring to Molech, defiling my sanctuary and profaning my holy name.
Literal Translation
And I, I shall set My face against that man, and shall cut him off from the midst of his people, for he has given of his seed to Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary, and to pollute My holy name.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
& I wyll set my face agaynst that man, and wyll rote him out from amoge his people, because he hath geuen of his sede vnto Moloch, and defyled my Sanctuary, & vnhalowed my holy name.
American Standard Version
I also 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.
Bible in Basic English
And my face will be turned against that man, and he will be cut off from his people; because he has given his offspring to Molech, making my holy place unclean, and making my holy name common.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And I wyl set my face agaynst that man, and wyll cut hym of from among his people, because he hath geuen his chyldren vnto Moloch, for to defile my sanctuarie, & to pollute my holy name.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
I also 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.
King James Version (1611)
And I wil set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people: because he hath giuen of his seed vnto Molech, to defile my Sanctuary, and to prophane my holy Name.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from his people, because he has given of his seed to Moloch, to defile my sanctuary, and profane the name of them that are consecrated to me.
English Revised Version
I also 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.
Berean Standard Bible
And I will set My face against that man and cut him off from his people, because by giving his offspring to Molech, he has defiled My sanctuary and profaned My holy name.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Y schal sette faste my face ayens hym, and Y schal kitte awei him fro the myddis of my puple, for he yaf of his seed to Moloch, and defoulide my seyntuarie, and defoulide myn hooli name.
Young's Literal Translation
and I -- I set My face against that man, and have cut him off from the midst of his people, for of his seed he hath given to the Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary, and to pollute My holy name.
Update Bible Version
I also will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he has given of his seed to Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
Webster's Bible Translation
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 to Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
World English Bible
I also will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he has given of his seed to Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
New King James Version
I will set My face against that man, and will cut him off from his people, because he has given some of his descendants to Molech, to defile My sanctuary and profane My holy name.
New Living Translation
I myself will turn against them and cut them off from the community, because they have defiled my sanctuary and brought shame on my holy name by offering their children to Molech.
New Life Bible
I Myself will go against that man and he will not be numbered among God's people, because he has given some of his children to Molech, making My holy place sinful and bringing shame on My holy name.
New Revised Standard
I myself will set my face against them, and will cut them off from the people, because they have given of their offspring to Molech, defiling my sanctuary and profaning my holy name.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
I, also, will set my face against that man, and will cut him off out of the midst of his people, - because of his seed, hath he given unto Molech, seeing that he hath made unclean my sanctuary, even to the extent of profaning my holy name.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will set my face against him: and I will cut him off from the midst of his people, because he hath given of his seed to Moloch, and hath defiled my sanctuary, and profaned my holy name.
Revised Standard Version
I myself will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given one of his children to Molech, defiling my sanctuary and profaning my holy name.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
'I will also set My face against that man and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given some of his offspring to Molech, so as to defile My sanctuary and to profane My holy name.

Contextual Overview

1 The Lord told Moses 2 to say to the people of Israel, "Any of you or any foreigner living among you who gives any children to be used in the worship of the god Molech shall be stoned to death by the whole community. 3 If any of you give one of your children to Molech and make my sacred Tent unclean and disgrace my holy name, I will turn against you and will no longer consider you my people. 4 But if the community ignores what you have done and does not put you to death, 5 I myself will turn against you and your whole family and against all who join you in being unfaithful to me and worshiping Molech. I will no longer consider any of you my people. 6 "If any of you go for advice to people who consult the spirits of the dead, I will turn against you and will no longer consider you one of my people. 7 Keep yourselves holy, because I am the Lord your God. 8 Obey my laws, because I am the Lord and I make you holy." 9 The Lord gave the following regulations. Any of you that curse your father or mother shall be put to death; you are responsible for your own death.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I will set: Leviticus 17:10, 1 Peter 3:12

to defile: Numbers 19:20, Ezekiel 5:11, Ezekiel 23:38, Ezekiel 23:39

profane: Leviticus 18:21, Ezekiel 20:39, 2 Corinthians 6:16

Reciprocal: Leviticus 17:4 - be cut off Leviticus 22:2 - that they profane not Leviticus 23:30 - General Numbers 15:30 - doeth ought Deuteronomy 31:16 - and go a 2 Kings 21:6 - he made Jeremiah 21:10 - I have Jeremiah 23:30 - General Ezekiel 14:8 - I will set Ezekiel 15:7 - I will set Amos 2:7 - to profane Malachi 2:12 - cut 1 Corinthians 3:17 - any

Cross-References

Genesis 20:1
Abraham moved from Mamre to the southern part of Canaan and lived between Kadesh and Shur. Later, while he was living in Gerar,
Genesis 20:7
But now, give the woman back to her husband. He is a prophet, and he will pray for you, so that you will not die. But if you do not give her back, I warn you that you are going to die, you and all your people."
Genesis 20:12
She really is my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not of my mother, and I married her.
Genesis 20:13
So when God sent me from my father's house into foreign lands, I said to her, ‘You can show how loyal you are to me by telling everyone that I am your brother.'"
Genesis 20:14
Then Abimelech gave Sarah back to Abraham, and at the same time he gave him sheep, cattle, and slaves.
Genesis 20:15
He said to Abraham, "Here is my whole land; live anywhere you like."
Genesis 28:12
He dreamed that he saw a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and coming down on it.
Genesis 31:24
In a dream that night God came to Laban and said to him, "Be careful not to threaten Jacob in any way."
Genesis 37:5
One time Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him even more.
Genesis 37:9
Then Joseph had another dream and told his brothers, "I had another dream, in which I saw the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down to me."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And I will set my face against that man,.... Express resentment, anger, wrath, and indignation at him, see Psalms 34:16:

and will cut him off from among his people: that is, supposing him to have been guilty of the above horrid crime, and there being not sufficient evidence given of it by witnesses, or the magistrates negligent in doing their duty; and the matter being known to God the omniscient, he, according this declaration, would deal with him himself, and cut him off out of the land of the living, from among his relations, friends, and neighbours, by his own immediate hand; otherwise the law before provided a penalty, which is death by stoning, whereby he would be effectually cut off from his people, and deprived of all natural, civil, and religious privileges in this life, and sent into everlasting punishment in another, unless forgiving grace should be vouchsafed:

because he hath given of his seed to Molech; an iniquity to be punished by the judge, and deserving of everlasting wrath and destruction:

to defile my sanctuary; not by doing this horrid action in it, but by coming into it, having done it; or by offering sacrifice in another place than where God had commanded, as well as such a sacrifice as was abominable to him, sacrifice being to be offered nowhere but on the altar of the Lord in the sanctuary. Jarchi interprets this of the congregation of Israel, which was sanctified to the Lord, in the midst of which this wickedness was committed, and with which they were polluted:

and to profane my holy name: by sacrificing to an idol, when sacrifice should be offered to God; and such a sacrifice as would cause the name of God, and his holy laws, and true religion, to be blasphemed and evil, spoken of among the Gentiles, Romans 2:23.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Molech, literally, “the King”, called also Moloch, Milcom, and Malcham, was known in later times as “the abomination of the Ammonites” 1 Kings 11:5. He appears to have been the fire-god of the eastern nations; related to, and sometimes made identical with, Baal, the sun-god. The nature of the rite and of the impious custom called passing children through the fire to Molech is very doubtful. The practices appear to have been essentially connected with magical arts, probably also with unlawful lusts, and with some particular form of profane swearing. The rite in the time of Moses belonged to the region rather of magic than of definite idolatrous worship, and may have been practiced as a lustral charm, or fire-baptism, for the children of incest and adultery.

Leviticus 20:2

Stone him with stones - The commonest form of capital punishment. It was probably preferred as being the one in which the execution was the act of the whole congregation.

Leviticus 20:3

Defile my sanctuary - i. e. pollute the people as identified with their sanctuary.


 
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