Infanticide
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Infanticide in the Bible?
Infanticide refers to the act of killing an infant, a practice explicitly prohibited in biblical law but documented among neighboring cultures such as the Ammonites and Moabites who offered children to deities like Molech.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the prohibition of infanticide clarifies the distinct ethical boundaries Israelite law established compared to surrounding pagan societies, emphasizing the sanctity of life as a divine mandate.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Infanticide. 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 Infanticide in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Infanticide 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
"Infanticide." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/infanticide/