Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Awohili AT aol.com]

And it should be noted that such practices were condemned as offensive to YHWH and not part of his cultus.  For example, one of the verses you quoted, Jeremiah 7:31, states, "They have built the high places of the Topheth that are in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire -- which I had not commanded and had not entered My mind." (Tanach, Stone Edition)

Solomon Landers

In a message dated 01/28/2002 11:16:31 AM Pacific Standard Time, RGmyrken AT aol.com writes:


The testimony of Theophrastus, in the essay _On Piety_ c. 315 BCE, that
"Syrians, of whom the Jews constitute a part" offered live sacrifices,
including human sacrifices, is perhaps relevant.  This is also echoed in Is.
57:5; Jer.  7:31; 19:5; 32:35; Ezek. 16:20-21; 23:37-39, suggesting that the
practice continued in Syria and Judea far later than commonly believed.  
Among what segments of society the practice persisted is obscure....