2 Chronicles 33:6 - Exposition

Caused his children . Parallel ( 2 Kings 21:6 ), "his son ," in the singular number (see also 2 Kings 16:3 compared with our 2 Chronicles 28:3 ). There can be no doubt that this worst of cruel abominations, learned from Ammon and Moab, amounted to nothing less than the sacrifice of the child in the fire. It is, perhaps, something remarkable that we do not encounter anywhere any description of the exact manner of administration of this cruelty, and of its taking effect on the pitiable victim. The solemn commands of Le 2 Chronicles 18:21 and Deuteronomy 18:10 bespeak sufficiently distinctly the prevision and earnest precaution of the Divine Ruler of Israel, through Moses, on behalf of his people. The following references all bear on the subject, and will be studied with advantage in order given: 2 Kings 3:27 ; 2 Kings 17:17 ; Ezekiel 20:26 ; Micah 6:7 ; Amos 5:26 ; Jeremiah 7:32 ; Jeremiah 19:4 ; Ezekiel 16:20 ; Ezekiel 20:26 . In the valley of the son of Hinnom ( Joshua 15:8 ; Joshua 18:16 ). On an elevation at the eastern extremity of this valley it was that Solomon erected "high places" to Moloch, entailing on himself a long and dire responsibility ( 1 Kings 11:7 ). Consult also our 2 Chronicles 28:3 and note there; with added reference, Stanley's 'Sinai and Palestine,' pp. 172, 482. Also he observed times ; Revised Version, and he practised augury. The Hebrew word is ועְוֹנֵן . This root is found once in piel infinitive ( Genesis 9:14 ), and is rendered (Authorized Version), "when I bring a cloud," etc.; beside, it is found in all ten times, always in poel, in preterite twice (the present passage and parallel), future once (Le 19:26), participle seven times, in which six places it is rendered (Authorized Version) "observing times," once in Isaiah and Micah with rendering "soothsayers," again in Isaiah "sorcerers," and in Jeremiah "enchanter." There is difficulty in fixing its exact meaning, though its general meaning may be embraced in the words of the Revised Version. A likely meaning, judging from derivation, may be the practising augury from observing of the clouds. The passages in Leviticus and Deuteronomy are those that of old solemnly prohibited it. And used enchantments ; Hebrew, וְנִחֵשׁ ; the root is the familiar word for "serpent." The verb occurs eleven times, always in piel. The prohibition to practise such "enchantment" or divination is found in Le 19:26 and Deuteronomy 18:10 ; the five occasions of the use of the word in Genesis, however ( Genesis 30:27 ; Genesis 44:5 , Genesis 44:15 ), argue that it was not a thing intrinsically bad, but bad probably from certain, so to say, simoniacal possibilities to which it lent itself. There lay in it some assumption, no doubt, of superhuman help, and the wickedness may have consisted in assuming it where it was not real . And used witchcraft ; Hebrew, וְכִשֵּׁף ; Revised Version, and practised sorcery. The word is found six times in piel. The prohibition is found in Deuteronomy 18:10 ; the rendering of the word (Authorized Version) is by the term "sorcery" three times, and "witch" or "witchcraft" the other three times. Dealt with a familiar Spirit, and with wizards . The prohibitions are in Le 19:31; Deuteronomy 20:6 , 27; Deuteronomy 18:11 . See as illustrations 1 Samuel 28:3-21 ; and notice the language of Isaiah 8:19 , "that chirp and mutter;" and Isaiah 19:3 .