Zephaniah 1:4, 5

 Zephaniah 1:4

I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;

a. NLT: “I will crush Judah and Jerusalem with my fist and destroy every last trace of their Baal worship. I will put an end to all the idolatrous priests, so that even the memory of them will disappear.

b. NIV: “I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place, the very names of the idolatrous priests—

c. YLT: And stretched out My hand against Judah, And against all inhabiting Jerusalem, And cut off from this place the remnant of Baal, The name of the idolatrous priests, with the priests,

d. Amplified Bible: I will also stretch out My hand over Judah and over all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place and the name of the idol priests with the [false] priests,

e. Septuagint: And I will stretch out mine hand upon Juda, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will remove the names of Baal out of this place, and the names of the priests;

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off from this place any remnant of the Baal and the memory of the ministers with the priests;

1. “I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah…”

a. I will also stretch out [5186 * natah] [Strong: a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows):--+ afternoon, apply, bow (down, - ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield.]

b. mine hand [3027 * yad] [Strong: a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows):--(+ be) able, X about, + armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, X bounty, + broad, (broken-)handed, X by, charge, coast, + consecrate, + creditor, custody, debt, dominion, X enough, + fellowship, force, X from, hand(-staves, -y work), X he, himself, X in, labour, + large, ledge, (left-)handed, means, X mine, ministry, near, X of, X order, ordinance, X our, parts, pain, power, X presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, + swear, terror, X thee, X by them, X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing, + thumb, times, X to, X under, X us, X wait on, (way-)side, where, + wide, X with (him, me, you), work, + yield, X yourselves.]

c. upon Judah [3063 * Yhuwdah] [Strong: from 3034; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory:--Judah.]

2. “…and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem…”

a. and upon all the inhabitants [3427 * yashab] [Strong: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle), (down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.]

b. of Jerusalem [3389 * Yruwshalaim] [Strong: a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of 3390)); probably from (the passive participle of) 3384 and 7999; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine:--Jerusalem.]

3. “…and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place…”

a. and I will cut off [3772 * karath] [Strong: a primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces):--be chewed, be con-(feder-)ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league ((covenant)), X lose, perish, X utterly, X want.]

1). It is extremely interesting to me that the word used here for “cut off” is the same word used “to covenant with”.  There is no question in my mind that this is a covenant keeping element of the LORDS covenant on the LORDS side.

b. the remnant [7605 * sh’ar] [Strong: from 7604; a remainder:--X other, remnant, residue, rest.]

c. of Baal[ 1168 * Ba’al] [Strong: the same as 1167; Baal, a Phoenician deity:--Baal, (plural) Baalim.]

d. from this place [4725 * maqowm] [Strong: also (feminine) mqowmah {mek-o-mah'}; or mqomah {mek-o-mah'}; from 6965; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind):--country, X home, X open, place, room, space, X whither(-soever).]

4. “…and the name of the Chemarims with the priests:”

a. and the name [8034 * shem] [Strong: a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; Compare 8064); an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character:--+ base, (in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.]

b. Chemarims [3649 * kamar] [Strong: from 3648; properly, an ascetic (as if shrunk with self-maceration), i.e. an idolatrous priest (only in plural):--Chemarims (idolatrous) priests.] Gesenius: idolatrous priests, blackness, sadness, one who goes about in black attire, mourning.] [Unger’s Bible Dictionary: (kem-a-rim) idolatrous priests, the priests appointed by the kings of Judah for the worship of the high places and the idolatrous worship of Jehovah.]

1). This word “Chemarims” is definitely a word I need to remember for future use in relation to ministers who are pro-choice/pro-abortion. The term is used in relation with those “that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham” [Zephaniah 1:5]. Malcham is a variant spelling of Molech, which is established below. I believe this term could be applied to all pro-abortion believers and ministers of the gospel.

 

a). Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) Our Mission: “The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice brings the moral power of religious communities to ensure reproductive choice through education and advocacy. The Coalition seeks to give clear voice to the reproductive issues of people of color, those living in poverty, and other underserved populations. RCRC was founded in 1973 to safe guard the newly won constitutional right to abortion. The Coalition founders were clergy and lay leaders from mainstream religions, many of whom had provided women with referrals to safe abortion services before the Supreme Court legalized abortion in Roe v. Wade. The founders believed that there would be at most a ten year struggle to secure to secure the right to choose. In fact the struggle is far from over. It has changed and intensified, and the stakes are growing.”

b). The so called clergy in this group are nothing more than modern day Chemarims, upholding modern day child sacrifice/abortion on demand/a woman’s right to choose. As we will see whole denominations are pro-abortion.

c. with the priests [3548 * Kohen] [Strong: active participle of 3547; literally, one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman):--chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal officer.] 

Zephaniah 1:5

And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;

a. NLT: For they go up to their roofs and bow down to the sun, moon, and stars. They claim to follow the LORD, but then they worship Molech, too.

b. NIV: those who bow down on the roofs to worship the starry host, those who bow down and swear by the LORD and who also swear by Molek.

c. YLT: And those bowing themselves On the roofs to the host of the heavens, And those bowing themselves, Swearing to Jehovah, and swearing by Malcham,

d. Amplified Bible: And those who worship the starry host of the heavens upon their housetops and those who [pretend to] worship the Lord and swear by and to Him and yet swear by and to [the heathen god Molech or] Malcam [their idol king],

e. Septuagint: and them that worship the host of heaven upon the house-tops; and them that worship and swear by the Lord, and them that swear by their king;

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: and them who prostrate themselves on the roofs to the heavenly host, and those who bow down and swear to HASHEM and [then] swear by their king.

1. “And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops…”

a. And them that worship [7812 * shachah] [Strong: a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God):--bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.]

b. the host [6635 * tsaba’] [Strong: from 6633; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship):--appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).]

c. of heaven [8064 * shamayim] [Strong: dual of an unused singular shameh {shaw-meh'}; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve):--air, X astrologer, heaven(-s).]

d. upon the housetops [1406 * gag] [Strong: probably by reduplication from 1342; a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar:--roof (of the house), (house) top (of the house).]

2. “…and them that worship and that swear by the LORD…” 

a. and them that worship [7812 * shachah] [Strong: a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God):--bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.]

b. and them that swear [7650 * shaba’] [Strong: a primitive root; propr. to be complete, but used only as a denominative from 7651; to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times):--adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for 7646), take an oath, X straitly, (cause to, make to) swear.]

c. by the LORD [3068 * Yhovah] [Strong: from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord.]

3. “…and that swear by Malcham;”

a. and that swear [7650 * shaba’] [Strong: a primitive root; propr. to be complete, but used only as a denominative from 7651; to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times):--adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the full (by mistake for 7646), take an oath, X straitly, (cause to, make to) swear.]

b. by Malcham [4428 * melek] [Strong:  from 4427; a king:--king, royal.]

1). The Hebrew word here is the word for “king”, but four of the translations I have give “Malcham” as the reading, which is a different Hebrew word Strongs #4445.  Add to that the RSV, the ASV, the NASV and more all have “Malcham” as the reading. I am at a loss. The fact that Malcham is a variant spelling or is the same god as Molech is supported by Easton’s Bible Dictionary, American Tract Society Bible Dictionary, Holman Bible Dictionary, and Bible Dictionary from www.christiananswers.net. 

a). Malcham (Unger’s Bible Dictionary) The national god of the Ammonites equated sometimes with Molech or Moloch. Malcham (R.S.V. “Milcom”).

b). Malcham (4445 * Malcham or Milkowm) Strongs: the national god of the Ammonites:-Malcham, Milcom.

2). These Jews worshipped the one true God and the false god Malcham or Molech, which involved child sacrifice. It is no different than modern day individuals, churches and denominations that profess Christ but at the same time defend abortion rights. It is clear from this passage what God feels about it.

a). Ezekiel 20:31 For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be inquired by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.

3). God does not hear the prayers of those who participate in child sacrifice.

a). Ezekiel 23:36-39 The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? Yea, declare unto them their abominations; 

23:37 That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire to devour them. 

23:38 Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my Sabbaths. 

23:39 For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house. 

4). Those who participate in child sacrifice and enter God’s sanctuary defile it. 

a). Isaiah 57:3-5 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. Against whom do ye sport yourselves? 

57:4 Against whom do ye make a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? Are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood, 

57:5 Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?

5). Those who participate in child sacrifice are the “seed of the adulterer and the whore”. They are linked to the harlot church of Revelation 17. Those in the church who uphold abortion are members of the whore’s church, not the true church. The phrase “children of transgression” is almost identical to the phrase “children of disobedience” in Ephesians 2:2. These individuals live their lives “according to the prince of the power of the air,” a demonic power who works in them. From this study it is clear that a born again believer in Jesus in fellowship with him cannot be pro-choice/pro-abortion. It is impossible.

6) Pro-abortion Churches: Presbyterian Church (USA) 2.3 million members: pro-abortion. United Methodist Church, 11.5 million members: pro-abortion. United Church of Christ, 1.2 million members: pro-abortion. American Baptist Churches, 1.5 million members: pro-abortion. The Episcopal Church, 2.5 million members: pro-abortion. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), 5 million members: pro-abortion. A total of 24 million men and women, boys and girls attend churches that are pro-abortion.

a). I am sure that not every minister or that every believer in the denominations listed above are pro-abortion, but I am fully persuaded that may are. Because of the official stand of their denomination is to support child sacrifice, many within these churches are nothing more than Molech worshippers, they are seeds of the whore, they are sons and daughters of the sorceress.