But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and even made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 3. Fire, to purify him (or them, Paral. filios, all were treated thus. Bible.) according to the superstitions of the pagans: omnia purgat edax ignis. Ovid, Fast. Theod. q. 16. Menochius.—Others believe that the child was burnt to death in honour of Moloch, and in imitation of the Chanaanites. Psalms 105:37. Deuteronomy 18:10. The Carthaginians were required by Gelon, king of Syracuse, to lay aside this most barbarous custom. Phil. apoph. Yet, “infants were publicly immolated to Saturn, in Africa, till the proconsulate of Tiberius, who ordered the priests to be exposed on those same trees which shaded their crimes, as on votive crosses. This the soldiers, my countrymen, who executed the proconsul’s orders, can testify; and still the sacred crime is perpetrated in secret.” Tert. Apol. viii.—How tenacious are people of old errors! Bible.