Chemosh was the national idol of the Moabites, a foreign deity worshipped in defiance of the God of Israel. Solomon built a high place for Chemosh near Jerusalem, an act condemned as a grave sin. Chemosh is mentioned in several biblical contexts as a symbol of idolatry and apostasy from the true God.
Hechos clave
The god of Moab mentioned in connection with Israel's wilderness journey
Chemosh is named as the god of Moab in relation to Israel's victory over Sihon, king of the Amorites, who had taken land from Moab. The Song of Heshbon mentions Chemosh's people as defeated.
29Woe to you, Moab! You are destroyed, people of Chemosh! He gave up his sons as fugitives and his daughters as captives to Sihon king of the Amorites.
Jephthah mentions Chemosh in negotiations with the Ammonites
Jephthah argued before the king of the Ammonites by referring to Chemosh as the god whom the Ammonites/Moabites believed had given them territory, just as the Lord had given Israel land.
24Will you not take possession of whatever Chemosh your god gives you? So we will take possession of whatever the LORD our God has driven out before us.
King Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the detestable god of the Moabites, on the hill east of Jerusalem to please his foreign wives. This was regarded as a serious sin.
7Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, on the hill facing Jerusalem, and one for Molech, the abomination of the Ammonites.
33For they have forsaken me and bowed down to Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, to Chemosh the god of Moab, and to Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in my ways, doing what is right in my eyes and keeping my statutes and my judgments, as David his father did.
King Josiah's reforms remove the worship of Chemosh
During King Josiah's religious reforms, the high place that Solomon had built for Chemosh on the Mount of Corruption was destroyed and desecrated as part of a comprehensive cleansing of idolatry.
13The king also defiled the high places east of Jerusalem, south of the Mount of Corruption, which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the detestable god of the Ammonites.
Jeremiah prophesies judgment against Chemosh and Moab
The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed God's judgment on Moab and declared that Chemosh would go into captivity along with his priests and princes, as a sign of Moab's downfall.
7Because you trusted in your works and your treasures, you too will be captured, and Chemosh will go into exile together with his priests and officials.