Molech,[a] also known as Moloch,[b] is a term in the Bible that has traditionally been interpreted as a Canaanite god to whom children were sacrificed.[1] In the Hebrew text of the Bible, the term always has a definite article except for in 1 Kings 11:7.[1]
Following Abraham Geiger (1857), historically the majority of scholars had believed that the instances of מֹלֶךְ Mōleḵ were originally the word for king, מֶלֶךְ meleḵ, which was a common epithet for deities in West Semitic,[2] and the Masoretic Text's vocalization of Mōleḵ would be an intentional distortion to resemble the word בֹּשֶׁת bōšeṯ ("shame").[2][1] Tsevat (1975), however, says that this explanation for the vowel pointings cannot be reconciled with the Septuagint's spelling Μόλοχ Móloch, and that there is cuneiform evidence of a word muluk (also possibly read molok).[2][3] If Mōleḵ indeed refers to a deity, it is likely Baal, or, in some instances, YHWH.[2][1]
In a departure from the consensus at the time, Eissfeldt (1935), proposed that the word Mōleḵ actually refers to the type of sacrifice rather than to a deity, comparing the term to the Punic word molk,[c] and many scholars have followed him in this; said sacrifices would be offered specifically to YHWH.[2] Schmidt (2021) says that some suggest that the lone instance of Mōleḵ without the definite article in 1 Kings 11:7 may be referring to the type of sacrifice, but that the instances with the definite article are references to a deity.[1]
Tradition states that a bronze statue of a human with the head of a female ox would be placed at the altar as its vessel. It is said that the statue would first be heated with fire, then children would be put inside as a sacrifice. The Bible mentions its name as a cruel pagan god.
A Caanite god of fire. A bronze statue of a man with a bull's head stands at his alter. The statue was heated and sacrificial children were thrown inside.
After Zayin detects a strange signal in Holytown, Aleph investigates the area and finds the massive tail of a demon sticking out of the ground. Residents of the district also describe being drained of energy and later have had all the power sapped from their bodies. In Roppongi, Aleph hears from the Mutant Elder that this tail most likely belongs to Moloch, who resides in the Expanse. He can be directly found by the Yesod-Yetzirah Corridor, and according to residents of the Expanse, Moloch is absorbing Magnetite to burn it as fuel. Later, Lucifer reveals that he had Moloch gather Magnetite on the orders of YHVH, in order to funnel that energy into Kuzuryu.
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↑Molk is derived from the root y-l-k ("to go"), with the meaning of the derivative molk being "something sent (to the gods)".[2]
References
↑ 1.01.11.21.31.4"Molech, Moloch: I Hebrew Bible/Old Testament", Encyclopedia of the Bible and its Reception (2021), Brian B. Schmidt. Published by De Gruyter. Vol. 19: Midrash and Aggada – Mourning ISBN-13: 978-3-11-031336-9. doi:10.1515/ebr.molechmoloch
↑ 2.02.12.22.32.42.5"Burning Issues: mlk revisited", Anthony J. Frendo. Journal of Semitic Studies, 61(2), pp. 347-364. Published August 27, 2016. doi:10.1093/jss/fgw020
↑"Ishbosheth and Congeners: The Names and Their Study", Matitiahu Tsevat. Hebrew Union College Annual, 46, pp. 71-87. Published 1975.
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