Chemosh

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

(subduer). National god of Moab, any: Ammon (Num. 21:29²⁹Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites. (Numbers 21:29); Judg. 11:23-24²³So now the Lord God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it? ²⁴Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the Lord our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess. (Judges 11:23‑24); 1 Kings 11:7⁷Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. (1 Kings 11:7); 2 Kings 23:13¹³And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile. (2 Kings 23:13)).

Concise Bible Dictionary:

One of the chief gods of the Moabites and the Ammonites, the worship of which was introduced at Jerusalem by Solomon, and abolished by Josiah (Num. 21:29²⁹Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites. (Numbers 21:29); Judg. 11:24²⁴Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the Lord our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess. (Judges 11:24); 1 Kings 11:7,33⁷Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. (1 Kings 11:7)
³³Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father. (1 Kings 11:33); 2 Kings 23:13¹³And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile. (2 Kings 23:13); Jer. 48:7,13,46⁷For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together. (Jeremiah 48:7)
¹³And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence. (Jeremiah 48:13)
⁴⁶Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives. (Jeremiah 48:46)). On the “MOABITE” STONE, this god is mentioned. The king, referring to the king of Israel, says, “Chemosh drove him before my sight.”

Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:

Number:

3645 (find all occurrences in KJV Bible)

Transliteration:

Kmowsh

Phonic:

kem-oshe’

Meaning:

or (Jer. 48:7) Kmiysh {kem-eesh'}; from an unused root meaning to subdue; the powerful; Kemosh, the god of the Moabites

KJV Usage:

Chemosh

Jackson’s Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:

as if departing: as if feeling

Potts’ Bible Proper Names:

With quickness; subduer; vanquisher:―the god of the Moabites, Num. 21:29. {Cum celeritate}

From Manners and Customs of the Bible:

Numbers 21:29²⁹Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites. (Numbers 21:29). Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh.

Chemosh was the national god of the Moabites, and hence they are called in this text, and in Jeremiah 48:46⁴⁶Woe be unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh perisheth: for thy sons are taken captives, and thy daughters captives. (Jeremiah 48:46), “the people of Chemosh.” He was also worshiped by the Ammonites (Judg. 11:24²⁴Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the Lord our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess. (Judges 11:24)). Solomon built high places for Chemosh and Molech in the neighborhood of Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:7⁷Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. (1 Kings 11:7)). Nothing definite is known concerning this god, or the mode of his worship. There is an old Jewish tradition that he was worshiped under the form of a black stone; and another that his worshipers went bareheaded, and refused to wear garments that were made by use of a needle. Chemosh is also mentioned in Jeremiah 48:7,13⁷For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together. (Jeremiah 48:7)
¹³And Moab shall be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence. (Jeremiah 48:13). His name is found on the celebrated Moabite Stone.

Chemosh

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

Concise Bible Dictionary:

Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:

Jackson’s Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:

Potts’ Bible Proper Names:

From Manners and Customs of the Bible:

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