Leviticus 20:3
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This passage reveals that sacrificing children to Molech wasn't just a horrific act of idolatry, but a direct assault on God's presence and name. It's highlighted that such actions not only defiled their understanding of God's sanctuary but also gave pagans reason to mock and reject the true God. This underscores how deeply intertwined Israel's identity and worship were with God's holiness and reputation.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse comes in the midst of a chapter detailing severe penalties for various forbidden practices, all aimed at protecting the holiness of Israel and their relationship with God. It follows instructions about who is forbidden to approach God and culminates in pronouncements against specific sins like incest and adultery, emphasizing the need for the community to remain pure. The passage stresses that these actions not only harm individuals but deeply offend God's holiness and bring disgrace upon His name.
God's Word doesn't mince words when it comes to idolatry. This verse shows a divine reaction that's both intense and deeply personal.
God declares, 'I myself will set my face against that man.' This isn't a passive observation; it's an active, determined opposition. The phrase 'set my face against' signifies a strong resolve to confront and judge. It's like God drawing a line in the sand, making it clear that this sin will not be ignored.
Furthermore, God promises to 'cut him off from among his people.' This speaks of a total and complete removal—not just from the community, but from life itself. It's a profound statement about the severity of the offense in God's eyes.
Why is sacrificing children to Molech so utterly abhorrent to God? The answer lies in how it impacts His sanctuary and His name.
The verse clearly states the reason for God's severe judgment: 'because he has given one of his children to Molech, to make my sanctuary unclean and to profane my holy name.'
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Understand the original words
panim natan · Hebrew Verb phrase
A divine idiom signifying God's active, personal opposition and judgment. To have God's face set against someone indicates that they have lost His favor and are under His direct wrath.
karat · Hebrew Verb
To be removed, cut off, or excluded from the covenant community. It implies both physical death and spiritual separation from the blessings and protection of God's people.
miqdash · Hebrew Noun
The consecrated place where God dwells among His people. To make it unclean involves introducing sin, idolatry, or ceremonial impurity into the area reserved for God's holy presence.
chalal · Hebrew Verb
To treat something sacred as common or worldly. It signifies a failure to show the reverence and awe due to God's character and reputation.
shem qadsho · Hebrew Noun phrase
God’s essential nature, which is set apart, pure, and distinct from all that is evil or common. It is the core of His reputation and the basis for all true worship.
This passage vividly describes Israel's spiritual adultery and how their idolatrous practices, including sacrificing children, defiled both God's sanctuary and His name, directly echoing the sin mentioned in Leviticus.
Jeremiah 7:9-10Jeremiah confronts the people for committing atrocities like child sacrifice and profaning God's name by their idolatry, all while still claiming to worship in the Temple, highlighting the hypocrisy and deep offense to God.
Romans 2:23-24Paul argues that the ungodly, through their disobedience and idolatry, cause God's name to be blasphemed among the nations, which is a direct consequence of defiling God's reputation that Leviticus addresses.
1 Corinthians 10:20Paul connects participation in idol worship with fellowship with demons, underscoring that offering sacrifices to 'gods' that are not God is a grave offense that sets people against God's holy name and covenant.
bensonLeviticus 20:3: "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."
Leviticus 20:3 . I will set my face against that man — Deal with him as an enemy, and make him a monument of my justice. To defile my sanctuary — Because the sanctuary was defiled by gross abominations committed in that city or land where God’s sanctuary was: or because by these actions they dec…
pooleLeviticus 20:3: "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."
I will set my face against that man, i.e. deal with him as an enemy, and make him a monument of my justice, either by punishing him immediately and eminently, when the magistrate cannot or will not do it, or by adding to his corporal punishments my curse upon his soul and name. See Leviticus 17:…
This passage reveals that sacrificing children to Molech wasn't just a horrific act of idolatry, but a direct assault on God's presence and name. It's highlighted that such actions not only defiled their understanding of God's sanctuary but also gave pagans reason to mock and reject the true God. This underscores how deeply intertwined Israel's identity and worship were with God's holiness and reputation.
This verse comes in the midst of a chapter detailing severe penalties for various forbidden practices, all aimed at protecting the holiness of Israel and their relationship with God. It follows instructions about who is forbidden to approach God and culminates in pronouncements against specific sins like incest and adultery, emphasizing the need for the community to remain pure. The passage stresses that these actions not only harm individuals but deeply offend God's holiness and bring disgrace upon His name.
This verse comes in the midst of a chapter detailing severe penalties for various forbidden practices, all aimed at protecting the holiness of Israel and their relationship with God. It follows instructions about who is forbidden to approach God and culminates in pronouncements against specific sins like incest and adultery, emphasizing the need for the community to remain pure. The passage stresses that these actions not only harm individuals but deeply offend God's holiness and bring disgrace upon His name.
"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." — This passage reveals that sacrificing children to Molech wasn't just a horrific act of idolatry, but a direct assault on God's presence and name. It's highlighted that such actions not only defiled t…
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Last reviewed October 2026
