Psalm 78 31

Psalm 78:31 kjv

The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.

Psalm 78:31 nkjv

The wrath of God came against them, And slew the stoutest of them, And struck down the choice men of Israel.

Psalm 78:31 niv

God's anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel.

Psalm 78:31 esv

the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel.

Psalm 78:31 nlt

the anger of God rose against them,
and he killed their strongest men.
He struck down the finest of Israel's young men.

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 31 Meaning

Psalm 78:31 vividly portrays the immediate and severe divine judgment upon the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. Despite God's abundant provision of meat (quails), their craving was fueled by ingratitude and a rebellious heart. Before they could fully consume what they had lusted for, God's wrath ignited, resulting in a sudden and fatal plague that struck down the strongest and most vibrant among them. This swift action underscored God's displeasure with their unfaithfulness and testing of His patience.

Psalm 78 31 Context

Psalm 78 is a "maskil" or instructional psalm, written by Asaph. It recounts Israel's history from the Exodus to the reign of David, emphasizing God's steadfast love and faithfulness despite Israel's persistent rebellion and forgetfulness. The broader context leading to verse 31 details the Israelites' initial grumbling in the wilderness, their contempt for the Manna, and their "craving" or "lusting" for meat (verses 18-30). This particular verse, therefore, highlights the peak of God's righteous indignation as a consequence of their deep-seated unfaithfulness, which extended beyond physical hunger to spiritual discontent and testing of God. The incident referenced is Kibroth-hattaavah, found in Numbers 11, where God provided an abundance of quails but then struck down those who had craved excessively and disrespectfully.

Psalm 78 31 Word analysis

• While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was consumed: This vivid imagery emphasizes the immediacy and suddenness of God's judgment. It implies that the Israelites had barely begun to partake of the meat they had craved, demonstrating God's swift response to their ungodly desires rather than physical hunger.
• the anger of God rose against them:
  • Anger (אף - aph): Lit. "nose" or "nostril," often signifying "anger" due to the flaring of nostrils in wrath. Here it signifies God's settled, holy indignation against sin.
  • God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): The generic name for God, emphasizing His power, sovereignty, and role as Judge over all creation. The use of Elohim rather than YHWH here might suggest a more universal, majestic, and often judging aspect of deity.
• and killed the strongest of them:
  • Killed (וַיַּהֲרֹג - vayyaharog): A strong verb, meaning "to slay," "to kill violently." It indicates a direct divine execution.
  • Strongest (בְּשִׁמְנֵיהֶם - b'shimneyhem): Lit. "among their fat ones" or "those who were plump/prosperous/prime." This denotes the healthiest, most robust, or most eminent among the people, those who outwardly appeared most capable and perhaps least vulnerable. It adds to the tragic irony and severity of the judgment – not just the weak, but the "best" of them were struck down.
• and laid low the young men of Israel:
  • Laid low (וּבַחוּרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הִכְרִיעַ - uvakhurey Yisrael hikhria): Lit. "and the chosen men of Israel he brought down/bowed down/overcame." Bachurim refers to "chosen ones," particularly young men, often those fit for military service, the energetic and strong backbone of the community. This indicates a widespread decimation of the virile, future generation, signifying a profound blow to the nation's strength and prospects. The "choosing" might ironically reflect their chosen status for service or life, yet chosen by God for judgment due to their rebellion.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was consumed": This phrase paints a graphic picture of immediate, inescapable divine wrath. It highlights that judgment was not delayed; it struck precisely at the moment of their indulgent consumption, directly connecting their rebellious craving to its dire consequence. It conveys the concept of reaping what is sown instantaneously.
• "the anger of God rose against them": This describes an active, direct manifestation of divine displeasure. It wasn't a passive withdrawal but an active rising, indicating a powerful and intentional outpouring of God's holy wrath, which had been provoked by their repeated testing and insatiable desires.
• "and killed the strongest of them, and laid low the young men of Israel": This emphasizes the devastating extent and nature of the judgment. By targeting the "strongest" and the "young men" (the prime of the population), God demonstrated the comprehensive reach of His judgment, affecting the very pillars of Israelite society and undermining their future generations. This wasn't a random event but a specific, selective divine action designed to underscore the gravity of their sin.

Psalm 78 31 Bonus section

The incident described in Psalm 78:31, specifically the judgment at Kibroth-hattaavah (Numbers 11), carries significant theological weight. It demonstrates that God's judgment is not merely a consequence of external sin, but targets the heart's sinful motives and desires (ta'avah - craving, lust). The provision of quail, intended as sustenance, became an occasion for divine judgment due to the attitude with which the gift was received—one of contempt for Manna (God's true gift) and insatiable craving. This event underscores the biblical principle that human desires, when they elevate themselves above God's will and gracious provision, can become idols that incur divine wrath. The immediate nature of the judgment ("while the meat was still between their teeth") reveals God's comprehensive knowledge of human hearts and His sovereign power to enforce holiness without delay. It also serves as a potent type, warning future generations (as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 10) against grumbling, craving evil, and testing God.

Psalm 78 31 Commentary

Psalm 78:31 serves as a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked desire and rebellion against God, even amidst His miraculous provision. The Israelites received the quail they desperately craved, but the manner in which they demanded and received it revealed a heart of ingratitude, spiritual discontent, and a continuous testing of God's patience. God's immediate judgment was a severe object lesson: His gifts, when consumed with a spirit of idolatrous lust and rebellion rather than humble gratitude, can become instruments of judgment. This passage underscores that God's holiness demands accountability for spiritual attitudes as much as for outward actions. His anger, though mercifully slow to wrath (Psa 103:8), will eventually be roused by persistent and deliberate defiance. The selective judgment on the "strongest" and "young men" serves to remind us that no one, regardless of their apparent strength or vigor, is exempt from the consequences of divine judgment when God's holiness is defied. It demonstrates the seriousness with which God views disobedience and underscores His ultimate authority over life and death.