They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Hebrew word translated as "demons" literally means "lords." This powerful choice highlights how the Israelites, in their sin, were elevating false gods to the highest position of authority, even above their own children. It reveals that this wasn't just about worshipping spirits, but about a profound rebellion against the true Lord by surrendering their most precious to counterfeit rulers.
They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse describes the depth of Israel's unfaithfulness, detailing how they adopted the horrific practices of the surrounding nations, including the sacrifice of their own children. This shameful act is presented as a consequence of not fully obeying God's commands to drive out the Canaanites, leading them to "learn their deeds" and worship the idols and spirits that the pagans served.
When people worship idols, who are they really giving their allegiance to? This verse points to a terrifying reality behind the glittering images of false gods.
The 'Gods' of Paganism
This verse, "They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons," directly links the horrific practice of child sacrifice to worship directed at "demons."
How could parents possibly offer their own children as sacrifices? This verse highlights a profound spiritual and moral decay that leads to the unthinkable.
From Neglect to Atrocity
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The sacrifice of children wasn't a sudden decision but the result of a deep spiritual and moral decline.
Understand the original words
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.
This psalm reflects on Israel's repeated failures to fully purge Canaanite religious practices, including the horrifying sacrifice of children to demons, a stark reminder of the consequences of straying from God's covenant.
c. 10th century BC
Rise of the Kingdom of Israel
Following the united monarchy, the kingdom divided into Israel (North) and Judah (South). Both experienced periods of idolatry and syncretism, often adopting practices from surrounding Canaanite cultures.
c. 9th century BC
Widespread Practice of Child Sacrifice
During this period and continuing for centuries, some Canaanite and Israelite groups practiced the horrific ritual of sacrificing children to deities like Moloch, often involving passing them through fire.
c. 8th century BC
Prophetic Condemnations
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah fiercely condemned the practice of child sacrifice, denouncing it as a horrific betrayal of God and a practice learned from pagan nations.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquered and exiled the Northern Kingdom, partly as judgment for its widespread idolatry and disobedience to God.
c. 6th century BC
Babylonian Exile
The Southern Kingdom of Judah was conquered by Babylon, and many of its people were exiled. This was a divine judgment for continued disobedience, including the abominable practices mentioned in the psalm.
c. 5th century BC— this verse
Post-Exilic Return and Reform
After the exile, under Ezra and Nehemiah, there was a strong emphasis on religious reform and adherence to the Law, seeking to eradicate the pagan practices that had plagued Israel's history.
This passage directly forbids the Israelites from sacrificing their children to the pagan deity Molech, providing the specific context for the 'demons' mentioned in Psalms.
2 Kings 16:3This historical account shows King Ahaz following the pagan practice of sacrificing his own son by fire, illustrating the very act described in the psalm.
Ezekiel 16:20The prophet Ezekiel condemns Jerusalem by saying she took her sons and daughters, whom she had borne to the Lord, and sacrificed them to idols, echoing the severe judgment found in Psalms.
Deuteronomy 32:17This song of Moses speaks of Israel sacrificing to 'demons' (sheydim), the same Hebrew word used in Psalms, showing this was a recurring pattern of idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:20Paul explains that what the pagan nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, not to God, directly connecting the worship of idols with the worship of evil spirits that the psalm condemns.
jfbPsalms 106:37: "Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,"
- unto devils—Septuagint, "demons" (compare 1Co 10:20), or "evil spirits."
clarkePsalms 106:37: "Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,"
They sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils - See 2 Kings 16:3 ; Isaiah 57:5 ; Ezekiel 16:20 ; ezekiel E Zechariah 20:26 . That causing their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Moloch did not always mean they burnt them to death in the flames, is very probable. But all the heathen had human sacrifices; of this their history is full. Unto devils, לשדים lashshedim, to demons. Devil…
The Hebrew word translated as "demons" literally means "lords." This powerful choice highlights how the Israelites, in their sin, were elevating false gods to the highest position of authority, even above their own children. It reveals that this wasn't just about worshipping spirits, but about a profound rebellion against the true Lord by surrendering their most precious to counterfeit rulers.
This verse describes the depth of Israel's unfaithfulness, detailing how they adopted the horrific practices of the surrounding nations, including the sacrifice of their own children. This shameful act is presented as a consequence of not fully obeying God's commands to drive out the Canaanites, leading them to "learn their deeds" and worship the idols and spirits that the pagans served.
This verse describes the depth of Israel's unfaithfulness, detailing how they adopted the horrific practices of the surrounding nations, including the sacrifice of their own children. This shameful act is presented as a consequence of not fully obeying God's commands to drive out the Canaanites, leading them to "learn their deeds" and worship the idols and spirits that the pagans served.
"They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons;" — The Hebrew word translated as "demons" literally means "lords." This powerful choice highlights how the Israelites, in their sin, were elevating false gods to the highest position of authority, even…
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Last reviewed October 2026