What was Moloch? Ancient Demonic God or Ritual Fire Sacrifice?

What was Moloch? Usually thought of as an ancient god who demanded worship through the sacrifice of children through burning, Moloch has become a truly horrifying entity in the Western Imagination From Milton’s Paradise Lost to contemporary Game Theory, Moloch conjures to mind demonic sacrifice, infants placed into its burning hands. But what do we know about Moloch? Was it a god, a demon or the ritual of fiery child sacrifice itself? From Punic North Africa to the worshipers of Yahweh in Judea, this week we will trace the history and scholarship on Moloch and the child sacrifices of Ancient Israel. Consider Supporting Esoterica! Patreon - One Time Donation Support - Paypal Donation - Merch - New to Studying Esotericism? Check out my Reading Guide here - Rare Occult Books - Recommended Readings: Dewrell - Child Sacrifice in Ancient Israel - Levenson - he Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son - Stavrakopoulou - King Manasseh and Child Sacrifice: Biblical Distortions of Historical Realities -