Psalms 106:38

KJV

And shed innocent blood, [even] the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.

KJV (with Strong's)

And shed {H8210} innocent {H5355} blood {H1818}, even the blood {H1818} of their sons {H1121} and of their daughters {H1323}, whom they sacrificed {H2076} unto the idols {H6091} of Canaan {H3667}: and the land {H776} was polluted {H2610} with blood {H1818}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, they shed innocent blood, the blood of their own sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to Kena'an's false gods, polluting the land with blood.

Berean Standard Bible

They shed innocent blood— the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood.

American Standard Version

And shed innocent blood, Even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with blood.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 106:38 stands as a harrowing indictment of Israel’s apostasy, vividly recounting their descent into the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice to Canaanite idols. This verse is a stark reminder of the profound spiritual and moral corruption that resulted from their disobedience, culminating in the shedding of innocent blood and the defilement of the very land God had consecrated for His people. It underscores the ultimate consequence of turning from the true God: a radical distortion of divine and human values, leading to unspeakable atrocities and profound spiritual pollution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, serving as a national confession of Israel's persistent rebellion and God's enduring faithfulness throughout their history, from the Exodus to the Babylonian exile. The psalm meticulously chronicles a cyclical pattern of Israel's sin, God's judgment, their repentance, and His subsequent deliverance. Verses 34-39 specifically detail the period after Israel entered the Promised Land, highlighting their failure to obey God's command to utterly destroy the Canaanite nations and their idolatrous practices. Instead, they intermingled with these peoples, learned their ways, and ultimately adopted their abominable religious rituals. Verse 38 is the grim climax of this apostasy, portraying the most egregious sin: the offering of their own children to false gods, a practice strictly forbidden by divine law. This act is presented not merely as one sin among many, but as the ultimate betrayal, leading directly to the land's defilement and, implicitly, the eventual exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of child sacrifice was a horrific hallmark of certain Canaanite religions, particularly associated with the worship of gods like Molech (or Moloch). Archaeological evidence and biblical texts confirm that children, often firstborns, were offered as burnt offerings to appease these deities or secure blessings. God's law explicitly and vehemently condemned this practice as an abomination, a defilement of His name and His people (e.g., [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice") and [Deuteronomy 12:31](/deuteronomy/12-31 "Deuteronomy 12:31 - Abomination of Child Sacrifice")). Upon entering Canaan, Israel was commanded to utterly dispossess these nations precisely because of such detestable practices, lest they be ensnared by them. However, as recounted in [Judges 1](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Incomplete Conquest") and throughout the subsequent historical books, Israel failed to fully obey this command, leading to syncretism and, eventually, full adoption of these pagan rites, including the ultimate horror of sacrificing their own children.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several critical themes within Psalm 106 and the broader Old Testament narrative. First, it underscores **The Horror of Idolatry**, illustrating the extreme depravity to which turning from the true God can lead. The worship of "the idols of Canaan" culminated in the ultimate betrayal of divine and human trust: the sacrifice of "innocent blood," specifically their own children, demonstrating how idolatry corrupts even the most fundamental human bonds and moral compass. Second, it highlights the **Defilement of the Land**. God had given Israel the land as a holy inheritance, a place for His dwelling. Acts of great wickedness, particularly the shedding of innocent blood, were seen as polluting the land, making it unclean and unfit for God's holy presence and His people. This concept is deeply rooted in Mosaic Law, as seen in [Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - Land's Defilement by Sin"), where the land is described as "vomiting out" its inhabitants due to their abominations. Finally, the emphasis on "innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters," powerfully affirms the **Sanctity of Human Life**, especially that of the most vulnerable. This act was not merely a ritual; it was a profound violation of God's design for humanity and a direct assault on the inherent value of life created in His image.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Polluted (Hebrew, _chanaph'_):** The Hebrew word חָנַף (*chanaph*) means to be defiled, profaned, or ungodly. It carries a strong connotation of moral and spiritual contamination, not merely a physical stain. In this context, it emphasizes the severe spiritual damage inflicted upon the land and the nation's relationship with God. The land, intended to be a holy dwelling place for a holy people, became unfit due to the nation's egregious sin, particularly the shedding of innocent blood, which is the ultimate defilement. This term highlights the deep moral decay that permeated the very fabric of Israelite society and their sacred space.
* **Innocent blood (Hebrew, _dam naqi'_):** The phrase דָּם נָקִי (*dam naqi*) explicitly states the blamelessness of the victims. The children offered were entirely guiltless, having committed no offense worthy of death. This stark descriptor intensifies the horror and heinousness of the act, underscoring the profound injustice and moral depravity involved in sacrificing those who are utterly defenseless and pure. It contrasts sharply with the concept of blood atonement for sin, as this blood was shed without cause or justification, serving only to further condemn the perpetrators.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And shed innocent blood,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the horrific nature of the sin, focusing on the act of taking blameless life. The term "innocent blood" is a legal and moral indictment, emphasizing the profound injustice and cruelty of the deed. It sets the stage for the specific victims that follow, highlighting the unprovoked and unrighteous nature of their demise.
* **"[even] the blood of their sons and of their daughters,"**: This specifies the victims, making the horror intensely personal and familial. It was not the blood of enemies or animals, but their own offspring, the very continuation of their lineage. This detail magnifies the unnatural and monstrous aspect of the practice, as parents, who should be protectors, became executioners, violating the most fundamental human bonds.
* **"whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan:"**: This clause reveals the motivation and object of the sacrifice: devotion to false gods. It directly links the shedding of innocent blood to idolatry, showing the ultimate destructive consequence of turning from the one true God. The "idols of Canaan" represent the spiritual deception and moral corruption that had fully infiltrated Israelite society, leading them to commit acts utterly abhorrent to Yahweh.
* **"and the land was polluted with blood."**: This concluding clause describes the devastating consequence of such sin, not just for the perpetrators but for the entire land. The repeated mention of "blood" underscores the pervasive defilement. The land, which God had given as a sacred inheritance, became ritually and morally unclean due to the unspeakable atrocities committed upon it. This pollution signified a broken covenant and an environment no longer fit for God's holy presence or His people, foreshadowing judgment and exile.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 106:38 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark message. The most prominent is **Imagery**, particularly the visceral image of "shed innocent blood" and the "land... polluted with blood." This creates a vivid and repulsive mental picture, emphasizing the horrific nature of the act and its widespread consequences. The **Repetition** of "blood" (three times in one verse) serves to underscore the central element of defilement and violence, hammering home the gravity of the sin. There is also strong **Pathos** evoked by the phrase "their sons and of their daughters," appealing directly to the reader's emotions regarding the vulnerability and innocence of children, making the act of sacrifice even more tragic and abhorrent. Furthermore, the concept of the "land... polluted" functions as **Symbolism**, where the physical defilement of the land represents the spiritual and moral corruption of the nation, highlighting the interconnectedness between human sin and cosmic order in the biblical worldview.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, deeply embedded in Israel's historical narrative of rebellion, serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of sin, idolatry, and divine justice. It vividly illustrates that turning from the true God leads not merely to spiritual error but to radical moral perversion, culminating in the most heinous acts imaginable. The shedding of innocent blood, particularly that of children, is presented as the ultimate defilement, not only of human dignity but also of the sacred land itself, which God had consecrated for His holy presence. This act of child sacrifice was a direct affront to God's character as the giver of life and His covenant commands, demonstrating the depths of human depravity when left to its own devices and influenced by pagan practices. It underscores God's absolute abhorrence for the devaluing of human life and the profound consequences that await those who persist in such abominations, ultimately leading to the land "vomiting out" its inhabitants.

* [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice to Molech")
* [Deuteronomy 12:31](/deuteronomy/12-31 "Deuteronomy 12:31 - Warning Against Canaanite Abominations")
* [Jeremiah 19:4-5](/jeremiah/19-4-5 "Jeremiah 19:4-5 - Topheth and Child Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 106:38 serves as a chilling historical mirror, reflecting the profound dangers of spiritual compromise and the insidious nature of idolatry. While literal child sacrifice may seem distant to modern believers, the underlying principles of this verse remain profoundly relevant. It compels us to examine what we truly worship and what we are willing to "sacrifice" on the altar of our contemporary idols – be it career ambition, material wealth, social acceptance, or personal comfort. Any pursuit that demands the compromise of our moral convictions, the neglect of the vulnerable, or the erosion of our spiritual integrity can become a form of modern-day idolatry, polluting our lives and communities. The emphasis on "innocent blood" also serves as a timeless call to champion the sanctity of human life in all its stages, from conception to natural death, and to advocate for the most vulnerable members of society. Ultimately, this verse challenges us to cultivate a radical devotion to God alone, guarding against syncretism and striving for lives of purity and justice, lest we too defile the "land" of our influence and experience the bitter consequences of spiritual compromise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols of Canaan" might subtly influence my life or culture today, demanding a "sacrifice" of my values or the well-being of others?**
* **How does the concept of "innocent blood" challenge my perspective on the sanctity of human life in contemporary ethical dilemmas?**
* **In what ways might my actions or the collective actions of my community "pollute" the spiritual or moral landscape around us?**

### FAQ
**Why was child sacrifice considered such an extreme abomination by God?**

Answer: Child sacrifice was considered an extreme abomination by God for several profound reasons, as highlighted in [Leviticus 18:21](/leviticus/18-21 "Leviticus 18:21 - Prohibition of Child Sacrifice") and [Deuteronomy 12:31](/deuteronomy/12-31 "Deuteronomy 12:31 - Abomination of Child Sacrifice"). First, it was a direct assault on the sanctity of human life, which God created in His own image ([Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Creation in God's Image")). The innocent lives of children, the most vulnerable, were cruelly extinguished. Second, it was a profound act of idolatry, giving ultimate devotion to false gods rather than the one true God who gives life. It represented a complete inversion of divine order and moral values. Third, it involved defiling God's holy name and His people by associating them with such detestable practices. The act was so abhorrent that it was seen as polluting the land itself, making it unfit for God's presence and ultimately leading to the land "vomiting out" its inhabitants ([Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - Land's Defilement by Sin")). It was the ultimate expression of spiritual rebellion and moral depravity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 106:38 vividly portrays the defilement caused by Israel’s shedding of innocent blood, it also powerfully foreshadows the ultimate act of purification and redemption found in Christ. The "innocent blood" of sons and daughters sacrificed to idols stands in stark contrast to the truly innocent blood of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, shed not for idols but for the sins of humanity. Just as the land was polluted by the sin of Israel, humanity itself was polluted by the pervasive stain of sin, rendering it unfit for fellowship with a holy God. However, Christ, the perfect [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice, His blood having the power to cleanse from all sin ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). Through His death, Jesus not only atoned for sin but also inaugurated a new covenant where believers are made pure and holy, becoming a dwelling place for God's Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies, Temples of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the horror of polluted land and shed innocent blood in the Old Testament finds its glorious resolution in the cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice, which purifies not only individuals but also redeems creation itself, pointing to a future where all things are made new and free from the stain of sin and idolatry ([Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "Revelation 21:1-5 - New Heaven and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 35:33

So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye [are]: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.

2 Kings 21:16

Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD.

Isaiah 26:21

For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Deuteronomy 21:9

So shalt thou put away the [guilt of] innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do [that which is] right in the sight of the LORD.

Ezekiel 7:23

¶ Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.

Isaiah 24:5

The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.