Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Psalm 106:38. It’s a really serious and disturbing passage about ritual sacrifice in ancient Israel. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: A Religious Ritual: This verse comes from a time when the Israelites were living in a region called Canaan, and they were practicing a very specific type of worship – sacrificing animals to gods. Excessive Sacrifice: The text describes a situation where these sacrifices were too much . They weren’t just offering animals; they were offering the blood of their sons and daughters. This is incredibly shocking because blood was considered sacred in Jewish tradition, representing the life force of God. Pollution with Blood: Importantly, this wasn't just a small amount of blood. It was a massive outpouring – the land itself became stained with the blood of these children. It was seen as a terrible and contaminating act. What it Means in Simple Terms: This verse describes a time when the Israelites were engaging in a deeply wrong and barbaric practice: ritual sacrifice to idols. They were sacrificing human beings – their sons and daughters – as offerings to foreign gods. This was a blatant violation of God's law and a profound act of desecration. The Significance: Moral Outrage: The verse is a powerful expression of deep moral outrage in the Bible. It highlights the dangers of idolatry (worshiping idols instead of God) and the consequences of straying from divine rule. Divine Punishment: It suggests that this practice was seen as a grave offense against God, leading to spiritual pollution and potentially, punishment for those involved. Important Note: This story is found in the Old Testament and is often interpreted as a warning about the importance of maintaining a pure relationship with God through righteous living and avoiding idolatry. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage (when it came from)? Explore the reasons behind this practice in ancient Israel?