Moloch: Difference between revisions

The Hebrew letters מלך (''mlk'') usually stand for ''mele<u>k</u>'' "king" (Proto-Northwest Semitic ''malku'') but when vocalized as ''mōle<u>k</u>'' in Masoretic Hebrew text, they have been traditionally understood as a proper name Μολοχ (''molokh'') (Proto-Northwest Semitic ''Mulku'') in the corresponding [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] renderings in the Septuagint translation, in Aquila, and in the Middle Eastern Targum. The form usually appears in the compound ''lmlk''. The Hebrew preposition ''l-'' means "to", but it can often mean "for" or "as a(n)". Accordingly one can translate ''lmlk'' as "to Moloch" or "for Moloch" or "as a Moloch", or "to the Moloch" or "for the Moloch" or "as the Moloch", whatever a "Moloch" or "the Moloch" might be. We also once find ''hmlk'' "the Moloch" standing alone.

<blockquote>Again, thou shalt say to the [[children of Israel]], Whoever he be of the children of Israel or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto ''Molech''; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. 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. And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth his seed unto ''Molech'', and kill him not, then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with ''Molech'', from among their people.</blockquote>

<blockquote>The savage, like ourselves, feels the oppression of his impotence before the powers of Nature; but having in himself nothing that he respects more than Power, he is willing to prostrate himself before his gods, without inquiring whether they are worthy of his worship. Pathetic and very terrible is the long history of cruelty and [[torture]], of degradation and human sacrifice, endured in the hope of placating the jealous gods: surely, the trembling believer thinks, when what is most precious has been freely given, their lust for blood must be appeased, and more will not be required. The religion of Moloch — as such creeds may be generically called — is in essence the cringing submission of the [[slave]], who dare not, even in his heart, allow the thought that his master deserves no adulation. Since the independence of ideals is not yet acknowledged, Power may be freely worshipped, and receive an unlimited respect, despite its wanton infliction of pain.</blockquote>