Topical Encyclopedia
Milcom is a deity associated with the Ammonites, a people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as neighbors and adversaries of Israel. The worship of Milcom is often linked with idolatry and apostasy in the biblical narrative, reflecting the broader theme of Israel's struggle to remain faithful to Yahweh amidst surrounding pagan influences.
Biblical ReferencesMilcom is explicitly mentioned in several passages of the Old Testament. In
1 Kings 11:5, Solomon's apostasy is highlighted: "Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites." This verse underscores the severity of Solomon's sin, as he turned away from the worship of the one true God to follow foreign deities, including Milcom. The term "abomination" indicates the detestable nature of Milcom worship in the eyes of the Israelites.
In
1 Kings 11:33, God expresses His anger towards Solomon for his idolatry: "For they have forsaken Me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as did David, Solomon’s father." This passage further emphasizes the spiritual decline associated with the worship of Milcom and other foreign gods.
Historical and Cultural ContextMilcom, also known as Molech in some biblical texts, was likely a god associated with the Ammonites' royal or national identity. The worship practices of Milcom are not detailed extensively in the Bible, but they are often associated with child sacrifice, a practice condemned by the Israelites.
Leviticus 18:21 warns, "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."
The Ammonites, descendants of Lot through his younger daughter (
Genesis 19:38), were often in conflict with Israel. Their worship of Milcom is indicative of the broader Canaanite religious practices that the Israelites were commanded to avoid. The presence of Milcom worship in Israel, particularly during Solomon's reign, represents a significant departure from the covenantal faithfulness expected by God.
Theological SignificanceThe worship of Milcom serves as a cautionary tale within the biblical narrative, illustrating the dangers of syncretism and the allure of pagan practices. It highlights the importance of exclusive devotion to Yahweh and the consequences of idolatry. The biblical injunctions against Milcom and similar deities underscore the call for holiness and separation from the practices of surrounding nations.
The narrative of Solomon's fall due to his idolatry, including the worship of Milcom, serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in maintaining faithfulness to God. It also foreshadows the eventual division of the kingdom and the subsequent struggles of Israel and Judah with idolatry, leading to their respective exiles.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not provide extensive details about Milcom, the references to this deity serve as a powerful reminder of the spiritual challenges faced by Israel. The worship of Milcom is emblematic of the broader theme of idolatry and its destructive consequences, reinforcing the call to remain steadfast in the worship of the one true God.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Milcomtheir king
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Milcom(great king). [MOLECH]
ATS Bible Dictionary
MilcomSeeMOLOCH.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MILCOMmil'-kom, mil'-kom. SeeMOLECH.
Strong's Hebrew
4445. Malkam -- a Benjamite... Malcham,
Milcom Or Milkowm {mil-kome'}; from melek for Molek; Malcam or
Milcom,
the national idol of the Ammonites -- Malcham,
Milcom. see HEBREW melek.
...4445b. Milkom -- a god of the Ammonites
... 4445a, 4445b. Milkom. 4446 . a god of the Ammonites. Transliteration:
Milkom Short Definition:Milcom. Word Origin from the same...
Library
The Nations of the South-East
... But Ammi was usually worshipped under the title of Malcham orMilcom, "the King."
It was toMilcom that Solomon erected an altar at Jerusalem, in honour of...
The Rending of the Kingdom
... declared, "because that they have forsaken Me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the
goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, andMilcom the god...
The Fall of Solomon
... with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.5. For Solomon went
after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and afterMilcom the abomination...
The New Garment Bent
... Because that they have forsaken Me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of
the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, andMilcom the god of the...
A Ruler who Wronged his People
... Solomon built a place of worship for Chemosh, the god of Moab, on the hill that
is opposite Jerusalem, and forMilcom, the god of the Ammonites....
Pride of Prosperity
... For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after
Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites." 1 Kings 2:4, 5....
Temporal Advantages.
... For Solomon went after Ashtaroth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and afterMilcom,
the abomination of the Ammonites[6]." Yet this was he who had offered up that...
In the Last Chapter we Confined Ourself to the Old Testament, in...
... In 1 Kings 11:5-7 we read of "Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after
Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites[hellip]then did Solomon build an high...
The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... 5:25, 26); and the worship of Ashtoreth, the abomination (ie, idol) of the Zidonians,
and Chemosh, the abomination of the Moabites, andMilcom, the abomination...
An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <....
Thesaurus
Milcom (8 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MILCOM. mil'-kom, mil'-kom. See MOLECH.
Multi-Version Concordance
Milcom (8 Occurrences). 2 Samuel
...Zidonians (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and
afterMilcom the abomination of the Ammonites. (KJV JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT)....
Goddess (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians,
and afterMilcom the abomination of the Ammonites. (WEB...
Ash'toreth (3 Occurrences)
... Ash'toreth (3 Occurrences). 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess
of the Zidonians, and afterMilcom the detestation of the Ammonites....
Sido'nians (11 Occurrences)
... (DBY RSV). 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians,
and afterMilcom the abomination of the Ammonites. (See RSV)....
Sidonians (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and
afterMilcom the abomination of the Ammonites. (WEB ASV NAS NIV)....
Molech (16 Occurrences)
... As the national god of the Ammonites, he is known as "Milcom" (1 Kings 11:5, 7),
or "Malcam" ("Malcan" is an alternative reading in 2 Samuel 12:30, 31; compare...
Moloch (2 Occurrences)
... He is also called Molech (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5, etc.),Milcom (1 Kings 11:5,
33, etc.), and Malcham (Zephaniah 1:5). This god became Chemosh among the...
Ashtoreth (3 Occurrences)
... Ashtoreth (3 Occurrences). 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess
of the Sidonians, and afterMilcom the abomination of the Ammonites....
Chemosh (8 Occurrences)
... Record 9. Ethical Contrast LITERATURE 1. Moabites, the People of Chemosh: The national
God of the Moabites, as Baal of the Zidonians, orMilcom (Moloch, Malcam...
Resources
Who was Moloch/Molech? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Ammonites? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God allow Solomon to have 1,000 wives and concubines? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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