a false god of the Ammonites, who dedicated their children to him, by making them "pass through the fire," as the Scriptures express it. There are various opinions concerning this method of consecration. Some think, the children leaped over a fire sacred to Moloch; others, that they passed between two fires; and others, that they were really burnt in the fire, by way of sacrifice to this god. There is foundation for each of these opinions. For, first, it was usual among the pagans to lustrate or purify with fire; and, in the next place, it is expressly said, that the inhabitants of Sepharvaim burnt their children in the fire to Anamchel and Adramelech; much such deities as Moloch of the Ammonites.

Moses, in several places, forbids the Israelites to dedicate their children to this god as the Ammonites did, and threatens death and utter extirpation to such persons as were guilty of this abominable idolatry. And there is great probability that the Hebrews were much addicted to the worship of this deity: since Amos, and after him St Stephen, reproaches them with having carried along with them into the wilderness the tabernacle of their god Moloch.

Solomon built a temple to Moloch upon the mount of Olives; and Manasseh, a long time after, imitated his impiety, by making his son pass through the fire in honour of Moloch. It was chiefly in the valley of Tophet and Hinnom, to the east of Jerusalem, that the Israelites paid their idolatrous worship to this false god of the Ammonites.

There are various sentiments concerning the relation which Moloch had to the other pagan divinities. Some believe he was the same with Saturn, to whom it is well known that human sacrifices were offered. Others suppose him to be Mercury; others, Mars; others, Mithras; and others, Venus. Lastly, Others take Moloch to be the sun, or the king of heaven. Moloch was likewise called Milcom; as appears from what is said of Solomon, that he went after Astarteoth the abomination of the Zidonians, and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.