Under Ahaz and Manasseh, Gehenna became a site for sacrifices to Molech8 (2 Chr 28; 33), where the people of Judah burned their children in an effort to satiate this ravenous fire-deity. They did this even though child sacrifice was explicitly forbidden in the Law: Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed [or to be passed through the fire–NIV note] to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. (Lev 18:21)
