Leviticus 18:21

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וּמִֽזַּרְעֲךָ֥ let any of thy seed H2233
וּמִֽזַּרְעֲךָ֥ let any of thy seed
Strong's: H2233
Word #: 1 of 12
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 2 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִתֵּ֖ן And thou shalt not H5414
תִתֵּ֖ן And thou shalt not
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 3 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְהַֽעֲבִ֣יר pass H5674
לְהַֽעֲבִ֣יר pass
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 4 of 12
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
לַמֹּ֑לֶךְ through the fire to Molech H4432
לַמֹּ֑לֶךְ through the fire to Molech
Strong's: H4432
Word #: 5 of 12
molek (i.e., king), the chief deity of the ammonites
וְלֹ֧א H3808
וְלֹ֧א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְחַלֵּ֛ל neither shalt thou profane H2490
תְחַלֵּ֛ל neither shalt thou profane
Strong's: H2490
Word #: 7 of 12
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שֵׁ֥ם the name H8034
שֵׁ֥ם the name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 9 of 12
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ of thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ of thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 10 of 12
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲנִ֥י H589
אֲנִ֥י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 11 of 12
i
יְהוָֽה׃ I am the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ I am the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Cross References

Deuteronomy 12:31Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.Leviticus 19:12And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.Deuteronomy 18:10There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,Leviticus 22:32Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you,Acts 7:43Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.Jeremiah 19:5They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:1 Kings 11:33Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.1 Kings 11:7Then 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.Leviticus 22:2Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the LORD.Leviticus 21:6They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.

Analysis & Commentary

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.

This verse falls within the section on Unlawful Sexual Relations. Prohibitions against various sexual sins, distinguishing Israel from Canaanite practices and protecting family sanctity.


The New Testament reveals that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes what the Levitical system could only symbolize—complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God.

Historical Context

Prohibitions against various sexual sins, distinguishing Israel from Canaanite practices and protecting family sanctity. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Questions for Reflection

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