Psalm 106 18

Psalm 106:18 kjv

And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.

Psalm 106:18 nkjv

A fire was kindled in their company; The flame burned up the wicked.

Psalm 106:18 niv

Fire blazed among their followers; a flame consumed the wicked.

Psalm 106:18 esv

Fire also broke out in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.

Psalm 106:18 nlt

Fire fell upon their followers;
a flame consumed the wicked.

Psalm 106 verses

Psalm 106 18 Meaning

This verse recounts a specific divine judgment, depicting a literal, consuming fire that erupted among a rebellious group during the Exodus period, bringing swift destruction upon those identified as "wicked." It underscores God's direct intervention and severe wrath against those who defy His established order and His chosen representatives. The verse encapsulates a powerful display of divine justice, demonstrating that God actively responds to unholy rebellion and presumes to usurp divine authority.

Psalm 106 18 Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, recounting Israel's rebellious history in the wilderness and the land, acknowledging God's enduring covenant faithfulness despite their repeated transgressions. Verses 16-17 specifically reference the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron, described in Numbers chapter 16. Psalm 106:18, following immediately after, details the consequence for this rebellion. The previous verse notes the earth swallowing Dathan and Abiram's household, while verse 18 focuses on the distinct but related judgment where a divine fire consumed 250 of Korah's co-conspirators who were challenging the Aaronic priesthood by offering unauthorized incense. This was not merely a challenge to human leaders but a direct affront to God's ordained structure for worship and governance in Israel, emphasizing the grave nature of their sin.

Psalm 106 18 Word analysis

• And a fire (וַתִּבְעַר אֵשׁ - vattib'ar 'esh):

  • אֵשׁ ('esh): Hebrew for "fire." In the Bible, fire is frequently a manifestation of God's presence (Exod 3:2, Deut 4:12), His holiness, or, as here, His purifying and judging wrath (Lev 10:2, Num 11:1). This was not a natural phenomenon but a supernatural, divinely-initiated blaze.
  • וַתִּבְעַר (vattib'ar): "was kindled," from the root בער (ba'ar), meaning to burn, consume, glow. The verb implies intensity and action, signifying that the fire ignited spontaneously and powerfully by divine agency. It indicates a sudden eruption and active consumption.

• in their company (בַּעֲדָתָם - ba'adatām):

  • עֲדָתָם ('adatām): From עֵדָה ('edah), meaning assembly, congregation, company. This term specifically refers to the organized faction or gathering of the rebels. It indicates that the judgment was precisely targeted at the rebellious group, highlighting God's discernment between the loyal and the disloyal within Israel. It distinguishes these particular adversaries from the general assembly of Israel.

• the flame (לֶהָבָה - lehavah):

  • לֶהָבָה (lehavah): This is a strong word for "flame" or "blaze," suggesting intense, fiery heat and consuming power. It often describes the most destructive aspect of fire, reinforcing the severity and efficacy of the judgment. The use of "fire" and "flame" interchangeably or sequentially emphasizes the absolute nature of the destruction.

• burned up (תְּלַהֵט - telahēṭ):

  • תְּלַהֵט (telahēṭ): From the root להט (lahat), to blaze up, to burn fiercely, to consume, to devour. This verb emphasizes the completeness of the destruction. It indicates that the fire did not merely scorch but utterly obliterated.

• the wicked (רְשָׁעִים - rəsha'im):

  • רְשָׁעִים (rəsha'im): Plural of רָשָׁע (rasha'), meaning wicked, guilty, unrighteous. This term is not simply descriptive but judicial, identifying those on whom judgment justly fell because of their active rebellion against God's appointed order. Their actions marked them as transgressors worthy of this divine punitive act.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And a fire was kindled... the flame burned up": The use of two related terms for "fire" ('esh and lehavah) and two active verbs for "burning" (ba'ar and lahat) amplifies the intensity, suddenness, and completeness of the divine judgment. It paints a vivid picture of overwhelming and inescapable destruction originating directly from God's presence, highlighting the terrifying aspect of God's holiness when provoked.
  • "in their company; the flame burned up the wicked": This grouping clearly defines both the target and the reason for the judgment. "Their company" specifies the identifiable group of adversaries, indicating a precise and just execution of wrath. Labeling them "the wicked" provides the divine justification for their fate, stemming from their intentional rebellion and unrighteousness in God's sight. The immediate transition from "company" to "wicked" shows God's clear identification of who these rebels were and their spiritual state.

Psalm 106 18 Bonus section

The brevity of Psalm 106:18 underscores the Psalmist's purpose: not to give a detailed narrative, but to quickly recall and emphasize key instances of Israel's faithlessness and God's just response. The focus here is solely on the consuming fire, distinct from the earth swallowing the other rebels, showcasing a dual aspect of God's judgment against a multifaceted rebellion. This verse points to the "consuming fire" aspect of God (Deut 4:24; Heb 12:29), illustrating His divine intolerance for spiritual anarchy and sacrilege. It highlights that God does not passively observe defiance against His divine decrees or against those He has specifically chosen and empowered for leadership within His covenant community. The specific targets ("their company," "the wicked") ensure this judgment is understood as a direct, purposeful, and deserved consequence, not an arbitrary act.

Psalm 106 18 Commentary

Psalm 106:18 powerfully compresses the account of God's immediate and terrifying judgment upon the segment of Korah's rebellion described in Numbers 16. It serves as a stark reminder of God's unyielding holiness and His resolute defense of His ordained authority. The kindled fire was not accidental; it was a deliberate divine act to consume those who, in their wickedness, defied His chosen leadership and thus God Himself. This incident cemented the truth that challenging God's established order invites His fiercest judgment. It emphasizes the severe consequences for presumptuous sin, serving as a solemn warning against questioning divine appointments or rebelling against legitimate spiritual authority. While devastating, this judgment was essential in demonstrating God's unwavering control and commitment to purity within His covenant community, providing a clear boundary for future generations regarding acceptable conduct toward God and His representatives. This verse underlines that God is not to be trifled with and that His justice, though patient, is absolute for open rebellion.