Leviticus 20

A virtue always enjoined and practised among the ancients; and, in the east, even to the present day; though too much slighted among Europeans. HAP. Ver. 1—27. Laws against idolatry, witchcraft, &c.— Molech is one of the earliest idols of which we read in Scripture, and his peculiar sacrifices were infant children. The name Molech signifies king, as that of Baal does lord, and both are supposed to have represented the solar fire, of which terrestrial fire was the representative: many think they were the same idol under different names. Rabbi Simeon (on (or co pers) with the head of an ox, and human hands, so extended that any object to be sacrificed might be lodged in them. This idol was erected in the valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem; and the image is stated to have been hollow within, and capable of being heated red hot; when this was done, it is said the sacrifice, whether animal or child, was placed within its arms, and dropt into the fire beneath.

In this case, at least, they beat the topheth, or Synan drum, to drown its cries, and hence the place of sacrifice was called Tophet— the image of hell itself. (See (Jeremiah 7:31-32). xix. 11—13.) But this was not ‘‘passing through the fire;” ((Leviticus 18:21).) that seems to have been a different ceremony, common alike to Baal and Molech, but not always fatal. The children were by some means carried through the fire, by which they were probably scorched, if not burnt, in honour of the idol to whom they were devoted. (See note on ver. 2.) That the Jews should fall into such a practice may seem very extraordinary; but that traces of such idolatry should still be found in Ireland in the present day, is surely more extraordinary, but not less certain.

{See Ey. Mag. 1812. also Hib. E. M. ii. Should any consider it incredible that parents could be guilty of such cruelties, let them turn to the thousands of children drowned annually in the Ganges, and the thousands of widows, until recently, annually burned in India. “And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them.” Of the different kinds of pretenders to necromancy and witchcraft, we shall have a future occasion to speak more particularly. At present we shall only remark, that among the heathen (as at this day among the Indians and Negroes) they were all idolaters. From the expression, “Go a whoring after them,” which means to go after idols as men follow lewd women, Scott infers, “that consulting with men or women, who practise, or pretend to, witchcraft (or divination) in any form, is a real act of idolatry, and of worshipping the devil !”—an idea at which professing Christians should surely tremble!

The number of capital punishments inflicted by the Jewish law, marks a strong distinction between the old and new dispensation; the former tending to death, the latter to life both temporal and eternal. It shows, also, the dreadful propensity to crimes, even of the worst character, which prevails in unenlightened nations, among which that generation of Israelites must certainly be reckoned which came up from Egypt; men whom nothing could deter from offending, but certain and immediate punishment. This, however, it is probable, had the desired effect, for, considering the number of capital offences, we read of few public executions. The close of this chapter demands two observations: 1. That the Canaanites who were now about to be expelled, were a people whose “‘iniquities were full;”

that is, who were ripe for destruction, ‘for (says the Lord) they committed ALL THESE THINGS’ —referring to the black list of offences in this and the preceding chapter; “and therefore I abhor them.” 2. We may remark, that Israel were introduced into their land, only on condition of renouncing their crimes, and keeping “all the statutes and judgments” of Jehovah: “that the land whither I bring you to dwell therein, spew you not out:” a loathsome image, it is true, but evidently intended to express, as well the effect as the disgusting nature of their iniquities. In fact, when they became guilty of the same offences as the devoted nations, the land vomited them out among all the nations of the earth, where we at present find them.

Notes on the verses

Chap. XX. Ver. 2. That giveth any of his seed unto Molech.—The way of “passing through the fire,” ((Leviticus 18:21).) is explained by the following account of this custom, as practised formerly among the Indians, at their grand annual festival, called “The feast of Fire;” in which, as in the ancient rites of Molech, “the devotees walk barefoot over a glowing fire.” It lasts eighteen days, during which time, those who make a vow to keep it, must fast, abstain from women, lie on the bare ground, and walk on a brisk fire. The 18th day they assembled on the sound of instruments, their heads crowned with flowers, the body bedaubed with saffron, and follow in cadence the figures of Darmah Rajah, and of Dobrede his wife, who are carried there in procession.

When they come to the fire, they stir it, to animate its activity, and take a little of the ashes, with which they rub their foreheads; and when the gods have been three times round it, they walk, either fast or slow, according to their zeal, over a very hot fire, extending to about forty feet in length. Some carry their children in their arms, and others lances, sabres, and standards. The most fervent devotees walk several times over the fire. After the ceremony, the people press to collect some of the ashes to rub their foreheads with, and obtain from the devotees some of the flowers with which they were adorned, and which they carefully preserve.—Sonnerat’s Trav. Ver. 9. Every one that curseth.—{The term yekailel, signifies not only to curse, but to speak contemptuously, disrespectfully, or to make light of a person: so that all speeches which have a tendency to lessen our parents in the eyes of others, or to render their judgment, piety, &c., suspected or contemptible, is here included; though the act of cursing, or of treating the parent with injurious or opprobrious language, is what is particularly intended. He who conscientiously keeps the fifth commandment, can be in no danger of the judgment here denounced.

—Bagster. Ver. 14. They shall be burnt.—It should seem, however, that they were first strangled, or stoned, as was the case with Achan, (Joshua 7:25). There seems to be no example of burning alive under the Mosaic law. Ver. 16. If a woman, &c.—This might seem an unnecessary law; but we are assured by Herodotus that the abominations here referred to existed among the Egyptians, and even formed part of their superstitious religious system, and we have reason to believe that they were not uncommon among the Canaanites, (See ch. xviii, 24,25.) Need we wonder then, that God should have made laws of this nature, and appointed the punishment of death for these crimes? This one observation will account for many of those strange prohibitions which we find in the Mosaic law.

—Bagster. Ver. 20. They shall die childless.—This was the punishment of heaven, not of the magistrate. Ver. 23. Manners of the nation.—Some MSS. read this in the plural “nations.” So Boothroyd. Ver. 24. Milk and honey.—{Milk and honey were the chief dainties of the ancients, as they are now among the Arabs, particularly the Bedouins. Hence not only the Hebrews, but also the Greeks and Romans, painted the highest pleasantness and fertility by an abundance of milk and honey. The image used in the text, and frequently by ancient authors on similar subjects, is a metaphor, derived from a breast, producing copious streams of milk, Bagster.