Psalm 106:35-37
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The verse doesn't just describe the Israelites adopting foreign customs; it highlights that this "mingling" was a choice made by Israel, directly defying God's command to separate. Their failure wasn't merely passive influence, but an active, dangerous embrace of practices that led to their spiritual ruin.
but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. They served their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons;
English Standard Version (ESV)
After failing to completely drive out the Canaanite nations as God commanded, the Israelites began to live among them. This close proximity led them to adopt the pagan practices, including idolatry and even child sacrifice, described in the following verses.
God’s people were commanded to be distinct. So why did they 'mix' with others, and what was the cost?
The verse highlights a critical turning point for Israel: instead of driving out the Canaanite nations as God commanded, they began to assimilate. This wasn't just about living side-by-side; it involved deep cultural and relational entanglement, particularly through intermarriage and general interaction.
When God’s people stopped being separate, they started to lose what made them special. How does this 'learning their works' erode our spiritual identity?
The core tragedy in Psalm 106:35 is the loss of distinctiveness. When Israel failed to 'destroy the nations' as commanded, they allowed themselves to be influenced by them. This assimilation process meant they began to mirror the very people God had set them apart from.
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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.
‘atsab · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, idols refer to any physical or abstract object, image, or concept that is worshipped or served in the place of, or alongside, the one true God. They are frequently characterized as worthless, powerless, and a source of spiritual deception.
moqesh · Hebrew Noun
A metaphor for a trap, lure, or enticement that leads individuals or communities away from obedience to God and into sin, judgment, or spiritual ruin. It represents the deceptive power of sinful practices to ensnare the heart and life.
shed · Hebrew Noun
Supernatural, malevolent spiritual entities that oppose God and lead humanity into rebellion, idolatry, and destruction. In the Old Testament, these are often associated with the false gods worshipped by pagan nations.
The verse highlights a recurring pattern in Israel's history: the danger of assimilation with surrounding cultures. This tendency led to spiritual compromise and judgment, even after the exile when efforts were made to maintain distinctiveness.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt and wilderness wanderings, the Israelites are commanded to conquer and possess the land of Canaan, driving out its inhabitants.
c. 1350-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
After the initial conquest, the Israelites fail to fully drive out the Canaanites, leading to periods of oppression and unfaithfulness, as described in the Book of Judges.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy (Saul, David, Solomon)
During the early monarchy, Israel is established as a kingdom. However, the ongoing presence of foreign nations and intermingling continues.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, often engaging in alliances with surrounding nations.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its population and scattering them among foreign peoples.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire conquers the Southern Kingdom of Judah, destroying Jerusalem and the Temple, and exiling much of the population.
c. 450 BC— this verse
Post-Exilic Reforms
After returning from exile, figures like Ezra and Nehemiah work to re-establish religious and social order, confronting issues like intermarriage with foreign nations.
This passage describes the Israelites falling into the same pattern of 'mingling' with the surrounding nations and adopting their idolatrous practices, directly mirroring the consequences warned against in Psalms 106:35.
Romans 12:2The Apostle Paul echoes the warning against assimilation, urging believers not to be 'conformed to this world' but to be transformed by God's renewing of their minds, a concept directly related to not learning the 'works' of the surrounding culture.
Ezra 9:2This verse highlights the Israelites' continued intermarriage with foreign nations, which Ezra identifies as a primary way they 'mingled' and learned the detestable practices of those around them, leading to spiritual compromise.
2 Corinthians 6:14The Apostle Paul directly addresses the danger of close association and 'mingling' with unbelievers, asking rhetorically, 'what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness?' echoing the spiritual peril described in Psalms 106:35.
Deuteronomy 7:2-4This passage from the Law explicitly warns Israel not to intermarry or make alliances with the surrounding nations, precisely because such 'mingling' would lead them to 'serve their gods' and learn their detestable practices.
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 doesn't just describe the Israelites adopting foreign customs; it highlights that this "mingling" was a choice made by Israel, directly defying God's command to separate. Their failure wasn't merely passive influence, but an active, dangerous embrace of practices that led to their spiritual ruin.
After failing to completely drive out the Canaanite nations as God commanded, the Israelites began to live among them. This close proximity led them to adopt the pagan practices, including idolatry and even child sacrifice, described in the following verses.
After failing to completely drive out the Canaanite nations as God commanded, the Israelites began to live among them. This close proximity led them to adopt the pagan practices, including idolatry and even child sacrifice, described in the following verses.
"but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. They served their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons;" — The verse doesn't just describe the Israelites adopting foreign customs; it highlights that this "mingling" was a choice made by Israel, directly defying God's command to separate. Their failure wa…
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Last reviewed October 2026
