I. Name

Molech occurs as a divine name in the MT eight times: five times in Leviticus (18.21; 20.2–5); twice in Kings (1 Kgs. 11.7, where it is probably confused with Milcom of the Ammonites; and 2 Kgs. 23.10); and once in Jeremiah (2 Kgs. 32.35). The LXX renders the name both as a common noun (archōn, “ruler”, in Leviticus; basileus, “king”, in 3 Kgdms. 11.5 [MT 1 Kgs. 11.7]) and as a proper name (Moloch in 2 Kgs. 23.10 and Jer. 39.35 [MT Jer. 32.35]). In addition, the LXX has Moloch for MT malkĕkem (“your kin…