Moloch
An ancient Ammonite deity worshiped by the Canaanites, Phoenician and related cultures…An ancient Ammonite deity worshiped by the Canaanites, Phoenician and related cultures in North Africa and the Levant, often depicted with the head of a bull.
» They broke their backs lifting Moloch to Heaven!
Meaning
2 sensesAn ancient Ammonite deity worshiped by the Canaanites, Phoenician and related cultures in North Africa and the Levant, often depicted with the head of a bull.
Moloch
(figuratively)A person or thing demanding or requiring a very costly sacrifice.
Examples
2 sentencesThey broke their backs lifting Moloch to Heaven!
Moloch! Moloch! Nightmare of Moloch! Moloch the loveless! Mental Moloch! Moloch the heavy judger of men!
Translations
3 languagesBy meaning 1
Origin
From the Proto-Semitic *malk- (“king”). The figurative sense derives from the Old TestamenFrom the Proto-Semitic *malk- (“king”). The figurative sense derives from the Old Testament, in which it is alleged that the cult of Moloch involved the sacrifice of human children.
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