Jastrow: מוֹלֶךְ

מוֹלֶךְ m. (b. h. מֹלֶךְ) Molekh, the fire-god of the Canaanites and others. Snh. VII, 7 למ׳ … עד שימסור למ׳ וכ׳ he who dedicates a child to M., is not punishable until he surrenders it to M. and passes it through fire. Ib. 64ᵃ קתני עכו"ם וקתני מ׳ the Mishnah speaks first of idolatry (in general) and then of M.; מ׳ לאו עכו"ם היא (sub. עבודת) the Molekh worship is not included in general idolatry. Tosef. ib. X, 5 אחד מ׳ ואחד וכ׳ whether he passes his son through fire for M. or for any other idol, he is equally punishable; Snh. l. c. Ib. מפני מה … מ׳ כל שהמליכוהו עליהם וכ׳ why does the Torah use the expression Molekh (when meaning any idol)? Whatever people make their ruler (מֶלֶךְ); Y. ib. VII, 25ᶜ top. Bab. ib. l. c. מ׳ עראי an improvised object of worship (a stone, piece of wood &c.); a. fr.