Psalm 78 21

Psalm 78:21 kjv

Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

Psalm 78:21 nkjv

Therefore the LORD heard this and was furious; So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel,

Psalm 78:21 niv

When the LORD heard them, he was furious; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel,

Psalm 78:21 esv

Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel,

Psalm 78:21 nlt

When the LORD heard them, he was furious.
The fire of his wrath burned against Jacob.
Yes, his anger rose against Israel,

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 21 Meaning

Psalm 78:21 conveys the immediate and severe consequence of Israel's disbelief and provocation against the LORD in the wilderness. It asserts that God heard their murmuring and direct challenge to His power, leading to an outpouring of His righteous indignation. "A fire was kindled against Jacob" and "anger also mounted against Israel" powerfully illustrate the destructive nature of divine wrath unleashed upon His covenant people for their consistent rebellion and lack of trust, despite His wondrous provisions.

Psalm 78 21 Context

Psalm 78 is a "Maschil" or an instructive psalm by Asaph, serving as a didactic historical recount of God's dealings with Israel from the Exodus to the choosing of David and Zion. The purpose is to remind future generations of Israel's persistent rebellion and God's unwavering faithfulness, mercy, and ultimate judgment, urging them not to repeat the failures of their ancestors. Leading up to verse 21, the Psalm narrates God's miraculous provision of water (vv. 15-16), which, rather than inspiring trust, prompted Israel to further provoke God (vv. 17-19). They directly challenged God's ability to provide meat in the wilderness, questioning, "Can God spread a table in the wilderness? Can He give bread also? Or provide meat for His people?" (vv. 19-20). This questioning, born of unbelief and a desire to test God, is the immediate antecedent to the divine wrath described in verse 21. This sequence highlights that their sin was not merely asking for food, but asking in defiant doubt.

Psalm 78 21 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵן - lakhen): This word functions as a strong causal connector, indicating a direct and unavoidable consequence. It signals that what follows is a punitive response to the previously described actions and words of the Israelites—their tempting of God and speaking against Him in unbelief.
• the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the divine proper name, emphasizing the personal covenant God of Israel. It highlights that the response came from the one they claimed to worship and the one who had entered into a special relationship with them. His personal character is challenged, provoking His personal response.
• heard (שָׁמַע - shama’): Beyond merely perceiving sound, shama’ in biblical Hebrew often implies heeding, taking notice, and consequently, responding. The LORD not only registered their blasphemous words but understood their unbelieving heart, leading to action. This contrasts with Israel's failure to hear and obey God's voice.
• and was full of wrath (וַיִּתְגָּלַע - vayyitgala’): Derived from a root meaning "to break out," "to boil up," or "to show oneself violently." It vividly portrays God's anger not as a slow burn but as a sudden, intense, and demonstrable eruption. It speaks of divine fury that becomes unmistakably evident.
• a fire (וְאֵשׁ - ve'esh): In Scripture, "fire" is a frequent metaphor and literal instrument of divine judgment, cleansing, and destruction. It consumes that which is offensive to God's holiness. This particular imagery strongly echoes the events in Numbers 11, where literal fire broke out at Taberah due to Israel's grumbling.
• was kindled (נִשְּׂאָה - niss'ah): From the root nasa' meaning "to lift" or "to bear." In the Nif'al stem (passive), it implies "to be lifted up," "to be carried," or to "rise up." Here, it signifies that the fire and anger didn't just exist, but were actively roused, swelling up, and became effective in judgment.
• against Jacob (בְּיַעֲקֹב - b'ya'aqov): Refers to the collective body of the nation, descended from the patriarch Jacob. Using this ancestral name connects the present rebellion with their history and heritage.
• and anger (וְאַף - ve'af): This term, often linked to the nostrils (snorting in anger), signifies intense, fierce wrath. It emphasizes the heat and force of God's displeasure.
• also mounted (עָלָה - alah): Meaning "to go up" or "ascend." The anger is depicted as rising or surging, intensifying its effect against the people. This parallelism with "was kindled" (for fire) underscores the comprehensive nature of the divine wrath.
• against Israel (גַּם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל - gam b'Yisra'el): A poetic parallel to "Jacob," emphasizing the judgment was upon the entirety of God's chosen nation. The use of both names underlines that no segment of the covenant people was exempt from the consequences of their sin.

Psalm 78 21 Bonus section

The strong repetition of "fire" and "anger" along with the names "Jacob" and "Israel" is a key poetic device that amplifies the intensity and universality of God's judgment across the entire nation. It highlights that the LORD's reaction was holistic and severe. The particular sin that ignited this wrath was not merely a physical craving for food, but a theological rebellion—the questioning of God's power and faithfulness to provide in impossible circumstances. This is critical because it moves beyond a simple complaint to a fundamental distrust of the Creator Himself. The events alluded to in this verse (Taberah and Kibroth-hattaavah from Num 11) serve as real, historical examples where God's wrath, ignited by Israel's grumbling and ungrateful demands, led to significant destruction and loss of life. These episodes provided undeniable proof of the consequences of tempting God, making Psalm 78:21 not just a theological statement but a factual summary of recorded divine actions. The verse stands as a testament to God's holiness and His commitment to upholding His divine character and covenant honor.

Psalm 78 21 Commentary

Psalm 78:21 acts as a pivotal moment in Asaph's historical narrative, marking a distinct shift from Israel's rebellious murmuring to God's decisive, righteous judgment. It underscores a critical biblical truth: God, though patient and gracious, is not passive in the face of persistent unbelief and direct challenge to His character and power. The imagery of "fire" and "anger" vividly communicates the severity and active nature of divine wrath, which is never arbitrary but a just response to covenant disobedience and defiance. This verse encapsulates the theological principle that testing God and doubting His ability inevitably invites His righteous indignation. It serves as a stern warning against spiritual arrogance and highlights that a failure to believe is deeply offensive to the Creator and Sustainer of life. The Psalm's larger context emphasizes that despite numerous miracles and constant provision, Israel's hearts remained hardened, demonstrating that privilege does not guarantee piety, nor does observation guarantee faith.Examples: A modern-day parallel might involve those who claim faith yet continually doubt God's provision in hardship, demanding specific outcomes and expressing dissatisfaction when immediate answers don't align with their expectations, thus subtly or overtly challenging God's sovereignty and goodness.