Child sacrifice is unconditionally condemned in Scripture. The few cases in which it is known to have taken place are probably due to the influence of Israel's pagan neighbours.
Laws forbidding child sacrifice
Leviticus 18:21 Molech was the god of the Ammonites. See also Exodus 22:29 to be interpreted with reference to Exodus 13:12–16 and Exodus 34:19–22; Deuteronomy 18:10
You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
Instances of child sacrifice
2 Kings 3:27, 2 Kings 16:3 parallel 2 Chronicles 28:3; 2 Kings 17:17, 2 Kings 17:31, 2 Kings 21:6 parallel 2 Chronicles 33:6; 2 Kings 23:10 Josiah's reforms involved desecrating Topheth, where child sacrifices were offered; Isaiah 57:5; Jeremiah 7:31
Arguments against child sacrifice
Child sacrifice is the idolatrous practice of the nations
Deuteronomy 12:31 See also Leviticus 20:2–5; Psalm 106:35–38; Jeremiah 32:35; Hosea 13:2
You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.
It defiles God's people
Ezekiel 20:26 See also Ezekiel 20:31
And I pronounced them unclean through their gifts — the sacrifice of every firstborn in the fire — so that I might devastate them, in order that they would know that I am the LORD.
It defiles God's sanctuary
It incurs God's anger
Jeremiah 19:4–5; Ezekiel 16:20–21, Ezekiel 16:36–37; Hosea 13:2
God's unique command to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac
Genesis 22:1–2 This was a test of obedience for Abraham. The following verses dispel any idea that God desires human sacrifice; Hebrews 11:17; John 3:16; Romans 8:32
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.