Who was Chemosh in the Bible?

what does the bible say?

Chemosh was an ancient god worshiped by the Moabites, whose name possibly means "destroyer" or "fish-god." Chemosh is associated with the goddess Ashtaroth. Worship of Chemosh included child sacrifice, an abomination. The Israelites, influenced by foreign alliances, built a temple to Chemosh during Solomon's reign. King Josiah of Judah later tore down these high places dedicated to Chemosh and other deities to restore the worship of the one true God. Chemosh highlights how cultural influences can lead people astray from their faith. Today, the false god Chemosh serves as a reminder to remain steadfast in our devotion to God, examining our lives for any influences that might overshadow our commitment to Him and ensuring our actions align with His will.

from the old testament

Chemosh was an ancient god worshiped by the Moabites (Numbers 21:29; Jeremiah 48:7).Scholars believe the name Chemosh possibly means "destroyer" or "fish-god." Chemosh is very similar to the other gods of the time. He is associated with the goddess Ashtaroth, and some scholars believe that other gods of the region, like Molech, were all manifestations of the same deity (1 Kings 11:7, 33).Worship to Chemosh included child sacrifice, as demonstrated by the Moabite king sacrificing his eldest son when he saw they were losing in battle (2 Kings 3:27).The Moabites were not the only ones to worship Chemosh. The Israelites, in their rebellion to God, had a temple to Chemosh. First Kings 11:6–8 says, "So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods."King Josiah of Judah later tore down the temple to Chemosh, along with temples to other deities: "And the king defiled the high places that were east of Jerusalem, to the south of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites" (2 Kings 23:13).

from the new testament

Chemosh is not mentioned in the New Testament.

implications for today

Reflecting on the story of Chemosh and the practices associated with this ancient god, it becomes evident how easily people can be led astray by the cultural influences around them. The Israelites, despite knowing the one true God, fell into the trap of worshiping Chemosh and other false gods, driven by the influences of foreign alliances and cultural integration. This historical account serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of steadfastness in our faith. Just as King Josiah tore down the high places and returned to the worship of God, we must also examine our own lives for any "high places" where we have allowed cultural or societal influences to overshadow our devotion to God. We need to be vigilant, ensuring that our actions, beliefs, and priorities align with God's will, resisting the temptation to conform to practices that lead us away from Him (Romans 12:2). God calls us to wholeheartedly follow Him, seeking His guidance and strength to remain true to His ways amidst a world full of distractions and false idols (Joshua 24:15).