Chemosh
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Chemosh in the Bible?
Chemosh served as the national god of the Moabites, with biblical texts noting that King Solomon constructed a high place for Chemosh on the Mount of Olives and that King Josiah later defiled this site to end the worship.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Chemosh clarifies the religious tensions described in the Hebrew Bible, illustrating the specific foreign cults that Israelite kings either adopted or sought to eradicate to maintain exclusive devotion to Yahweh.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Chemosh. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Chemosh in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Chemosh clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Chemosh." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/chemosh/