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.

PSALMS 106:38KJV
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Psalms 106:38 (KJV)

What does Psalms 106:38 mean?

Psalms 106:38 describes the killing of children as an act of worship directed toward Canaan’s idols. The psalm treats the children’s deaths as the shedding of innocent blood and says that this blood polluted the land.

Following the mention of sacrifices in verse 37, the speaker identifies the victims as “their sons and their daughters.” The repeated word “blood” draws attention to the violence and its effect on the land where the people lived.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 106:38

  • “idols” — עֲצַבִּים (ʿatsabbim): The word refers to images associated with worship. It can also carry a sense of something fashioned or made, bringing the objects of worship into view.
  • “polluted” — חָנֵף (ḥanef): This word can describe being defiled or made unclean. Here it presents the bloodshed as something that stains the land itself, not just the people who acted.

Why Psalms 106:38 matters

  • The verse identifies the victims as innocent. “Innocent blood” gives the speaker’s judgment on the children’s deaths, rather than treating them simply as part of a religious practice.
  • The sacrifice involved the people’s own families. The words “their sons and their daughters” make clear who was given over to the idols.
  • The harm reaches beyond the immediate act. By saying “the land was polluted with blood,” the verse connects the killing to the condition of the place where the people lived.

Where else these words appear

“polluted” Hebrew H2610 · used in 9 verses

  • 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.
  • Jeremiah 3:1 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.
  • Jeremiah 23:11 For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.

“idols” Hebrew H6091 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Samuel 31:9 And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.
  • Psalms 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
  • Hosea 4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

“innocent” Hebrew H5355 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 24:41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
  • Joshua 2:20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
  • Psalms 15:5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

“Canaan” Hebrew H3667 · used in 91 verses

  • Genesis 9:18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
  • Genesis 45:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
  • Numbers 35:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;