King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,
Complete Jewish Bible:
They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.
Berean Standard Bible:
They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons.
American Standard Version:
Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Yea, they sacrificed{H2076} their sons{H1121} and their daughters{H1323} unto devils{H7700},
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Kings 16:3
- But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel.
2 Kings 17:17
- And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Jeremiah 7:31
- And they have built the high places of Tophet, which [is] in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded [them] not, neither came it into my heart.
Deuteronomy 32:17
- They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new [gods that] came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
1 Corinthians 10:20
- But [I say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
Ezekiel 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].
Deuteronomy 12:30
- Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 106:37
Psalm 106:37, "Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils," is a verse that captures the gravity of Israel's spiritual infidelity during its historical journey. This verse is part of a larger section in the Psalm that recounts the sins of the Israelites, emphasizing their idolatry and the consequences thereof. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the periods described in the books of Judges, Kings, and Chronicles, where the people of Israel repeatedly fell into the worship of pagan gods, often engaging in syncretistic practices that included child sacrifices to deities such as Molech or Baal.
The theme of Psalm 106:37 is the extreme apostasy of God's chosen people. Despite God's consistent deliverance and guidance, the Israelites turned to the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice, which was a common ritual among some of the surrounding Canaanite nations. This act was not only a violation of the Mosaic Law but also a profound breach of the covenantal relationship between God and His people. The verse reflects the depths of depravity to which the Israelites sank, highlighting the severity of their unfaithfulness and the outrageous nature of their actions against both God and their own kin.
In the broader context of Psalm 106, this verse serves as a sobering reminder of the dire consequences of spiritual disobedience and the need for repentance and faithfulness to God's covenant. It underscores the importance of exclusive worship of the one true God and warns against the seduction of pagan practices, which are described metaphorically as sacrificing to "devils" or demonic entities. The psalm as a whole calls the people to remember God's faithfulness, to confess their sins, and to turn back to Him, trusting in His steadfast love and His ability to restore them.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H2076
There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זָבַח
Transliteration: zâbach
Pronunciation: zaw-bakh'
Description: a primitive root; to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice); kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H1323
There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּת
Transliteration: bath
Pronunciation: bath
Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. - Strong's Number: H7700
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁד
Transliteration: shêd
Pronunciation: shade
Description: from שׁוּד; a doemon (as malignant); devil.