[Bible] Bonus Episode: Jon D. Levenson - Child Sacrifice in the Bible (Part 2)

The Enduring Concept of Child Sacrifice

Although the literal practice of child sacrifice became denounced in the Hebrew Bible, the underlying concept persisted and evolved within the tradition. This duality is highlighted in texts where child sacrifice, while condemned, is juxtaposed with instances that suggest a more complex view of humanity's relationship to God and sacrifice. The discussion emphasizes how cultures tend to reinterpret and preserve archaic practices, leading to the emergence of substitutionary rituals in place of the original act. For instance, the Paschal Lamb serves as a substitute offering meant to redeem the firstborn, illustrating how the essence of sacrifice remains, albeit in different forms.