Infanticide
Summary
The killing of infants, condemned in Scripture particularly in connection with child sacrifice to pagan gods.
☩Condemned Practices
The Canaanites and other ancient peoples practiced child sacrifice, offering infants to gods like Molech. Such practices were strictly forbidden to Israel and are cited among the abominations that brought judgment on the nations. Yet Israel itself fell into this sin during periods of apostasy.
☩Pharaoh's Decree
Pharaoh ordered the death of Hebrew male infants, first by the midwives and then by drowning in the Nile. The midwives' refusal to comply demonstrated godly civil disobedience. Moses was providentially delivered from this decree to become Israel's deliverer.
☩Herod's Slaughter
Herod's slaughter of the infants of Bethlehem seeking to destroy the Christ child echoes Pharaoh's ancient crime. Matthew sees this event as fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy of Rachel weeping for her children. Such atrocities reveal the depth of human depravity and Satan's opposition to God's purposes.