but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that "mixing" with other nations wasn't just physical proximity, but a deeper entanglement through alliances and general intercourse. This contact wasn't neutral; it actively led them to adopt the practices and customs of those around them, proving the danger of unchecked cultural assimilation.
but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse appears in a psalm that recounts Israel's history, focusing on their repeated unfaithfulness to God despite His faithfulness. Following their failure to completely drive out the Canaanite nations as commanded, the Israelites began to intermingle with them through alliances and intermarriage. This close contact led them to adopt the corrupt practices and idolatry of their neighbors.
God commanded His people to drive out the nations living in Canaan. Why such a severe command? It wasn't just about territory; it was about spiritual survival.
The 'Why' Behind the Command
God's command to completely remove the Canaanite nations wasn't arbitrary cruelty. The commentaries highlight a crucial reason: contamination.
It wasn't always about outright rebellion. Sometimes, it started with seemingly minor compromises – a marriage here, a business deal there. But these small steps led to a massive fall.
Ask a follow-up
The Gradual Erosion of Faith
The Hebrew word for 'mingled' suggests more than just physical proximity; it implies alliances, intermarriage, and general intercourse. The commentaries point out how this assimilation was a gradual process, a slippery slope:
Understand the original words
arab · Hebrew Verb
To mingle, join with, or associate closely; in a covenantal context, it often refers to the illicit integration of Israel with pagan nations, leading to spiritual defilement.
goyim · Hebrew Noun
Used for foreign or heathen nations outside the covenant of Israel; often associated with idolatry, pagan practices, and moral corruption.
The failure to completely remove the Canaanite nations from the land, as God commanded, led to centuries of spiritual contamination and cycles of sin, punishment, and repentance for Israel.
c. 1406 BC
Israel enters the Promised Land
After forty years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, cross the Jordan River and begin their conquest of Canaan.
c. 1406 - 1375 BC
Incomplete conquest of Canaan
God commanded Israel to drive out all the inhabitants of Canaan, but they failed to do so completely, allowing many nations to remain within their borders.
c. 1375 BC— this verse
First major apostasy
The generation that witnessed the conquest dies, and the next generation begins to "mingle with the nations" and adopt their idolatrous practices.
c. 1375 - 1076 BC
Period of the Judges
This era is marked by cycles of Israel's unfaithfulness, God's subsequent punishment through oppression by foreign nations, and Israel's cries for deliverance, leading God to raise up judges to rescue them.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy established
Saul, David, and Solomon rule over a unified Israel, a period generally characterized by greater faithfulness, though idolatry still persisted in pockets.
931 BC
Kingdom divides
Following Solomon's death, the kingdom splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Idolatry sadly becomes deeply entrenched, especially in the North.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Southern Kingdom of Judah falls to Babylon, its Temple is destroyed, and many are taken into exile. This event serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of prolonged unfaithfulness.
This passage directly illustrates the consequence of Israel mingling with the Canaanites, detailing how they began to worship their gods, directly mirroring the 'learning their works' mentioned in Psalms 106:35.
Ezra 9:2This verse highlights the concern of Ezra and the people when they discovered intermarriage with the surrounding nations, showing a similar pattern of 'mingling' that led to spiritual compromise and learned foreign practices.
Romans 12:2This New Testament passage offers a direct parallel by warning believers not to be 'conformed to this world,' which is the inverse of the Israelites learning the ways of the nations around them.
2 Corinthians 6:14This verse presents a strong admonition against 'unequal yokes' with unbelievers, echoing the danger inherent in the Israelites mixing with the heathen and learning their ways, as described in Psalms 106:35.
pulpitPsalms 106:35: "But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works."
Verse 35. - But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. This was the effect of the continuous contact. "Evil communications corrupted good manners." The command to exterminate, which to moderns seems so terribly severe, and almost cruel, was undoubtedly based upon God's foreknowledge of the fact, that otherwise there would be contact, and if contact, then contamination. (For the actual fact, see Judge…
cambridgePsalms 106:35: "But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works."
35 . But mingled themselves with the nations (R.V.), by matrimonial alliances ( Ezra 9:2 ) and intercourse generally ( Jdg 3:5-6 ).
The verse highlights that "mixing" with other nations wasn't just physical proximity, but a deeper entanglement through alliances and general intercourse. This contact wasn't neutral; it actively led them to adopt the practices and customs of those around them, proving the danger of unchecked cultural assimilation.
This verse appears in a psalm that recounts Israel's history, focusing on their repeated unfaithfulness to God despite His faithfulness. Following their failure to completely drive out the Canaanite nations as commanded, the Israelites began to intermingle with them through alliances and intermarriage. This close contact led them to adopt the corrupt practices and idolatry of their neighbors.
This verse appears in a psalm that recounts Israel's history, focusing on their repeated unfaithfulness to God despite His faithfulness. Following their failure to completely drive out the Canaanite nations as commanded, the Israelites began to intermingle with them through alliances and intermarriage. This close contact led them to adopt the corrupt practices and idolatry of their neighbors.
"but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did." — The verse highlights that "mixing" with other nations wasn't just physical proximity, but a deeper entanglement through alliances and general intercourse. This contact wasn't neutral; it actively led…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026