Molech
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(king) (Lev. 18:21, 1 Kings 11:7, Jer. 32:35, Acts 7:43)—name of a pagan deity of the Syro-Phoenicians and the Ammonites. According to the description of the rabbis, the idol Molech represented a bronze statue with the head of a bull, the rest of its members human, hollow within, with hands stretched downward, upon which children doomed as sacrifice to it were laid, and on which they were burned by the flame blazing beneath. Holy Scripture mentions the worship of Molech at an early date.
Perhaps the beginning of this was laid even in Egypt, or even earlier. Warnings against this idol-worship we find already in the time of Moses. In the days of Ahaz, Manasseh, and Josiah, the worship of Molech took place in the valley of the sons of Hinnom, where children were sacrificed to him or made to pass through fire for him. King Josiah destroyed Topheth in the valley of Hinnom, where this abominable pagan rite was performed. The prophets especially strongly rebuked the Jews for the worship of Molech and foretold terrible punishments for it.