תהלים, פרק ק״ו, פסוק ל״ח

The moral collapse of the Israelites did not stop at simple idol worship, but led them into the depths of brutal violence within their own families. Driven by an intense love and devotion to Canaanite idols, the people sank to the horrific low of murdering their own children [אבן עזרא], participating in shocking rituals such as the sacrifices made to Molech [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The innocent blood spilled during this time was specifically the blood of their own sons and daughters offered to these idols [מאירי].

Beyond the direct sacrifice of children, this dark era birthed a terrifying, multi-generational cycle of murder. Grandparents would kill their young grandchildren to prevent them from growing up and seeking revenge for their own parents, who had already been sacrificed to demons. The preemptive slaughter of these guiltless grandchildren added to the tragic flow of innocent blood [אלשיך].

As a direct result of these actions, the land itself became deeply polluted and corrupted [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The people living there became wicked, making themselves deserving of severe punishment for the vast amount of blood poured out in the name of idol worship [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד]. The defilement of the land was not caused by ordinary violence or general bloodshed. Rather, it was stained specifically by the blood of these family members who were cruelly slaughtered [רד״ק, מאירי].