Psalms 78:31

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Psalms 78:31 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

God’s anger flared against them, and He put to death their strongest and subdued the young men of Israel.

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

When the anger of God went up against them, And slew of the fattest of them, And smote down the young men of Israel.

Bible in Basic English BBE

The wrath of God came on them, and put to death the fattest of them, and put an end to the young men of Israel.

Free Bible Version FBV

God became angry with them and he killed their strongest men, striking them down in the prime of life.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

When the wrath of God came euen vpon them, and slew the strongest of them, and smote downe the chosen men in Israel.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And the anger of God hath gone up against them, And He slayeth among their fat ones, And youths of Israel He caused to bend.

World English Bible WEB

when the anger of God went up against them, killed some of their strongest, and struck down the young men of Israel.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Translation for Translators T4T

God was still very angry with them, and he caused their strongest men to die; he got rid of many of the finest young Israeli men.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 78:31

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Psalms 78:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/אַ֤ף אֱלֹהִ֨ים עָ֘לָ֤ה בָ/הֶ֗ם וַֽ֭/יַּהֲרֹג בְּ/מִשְׁמַנֵּי/הֶ֑ם וּ/בַחוּרֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל הִכְרִֽיעַ

וְ/אַ֤ף ʼaph H639 face Conj | N-ms

אֱלֹהִ֨ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp

עָ֘לָ֤ה ʻâlâh H5927 to ascend V-Qal-Perf-3ms

בָ/הֶ֗ם Prep | Suff

וַֽ֭/יַּהֲרֹג hârag H2026 to kill Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

בְּ/מִשְׁמַנֵּי/הֶ֑ם mashmân H4924 fat Prep | N-mp | Suff

וּ/בַחוּרֵ֖י bâchûwr H970 youth Conj | N-mp

יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper

הִכְרִֽיעַ kâraʻ H3766 to bow V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 78:31

וְ/אַ֤ף ʼaph H639 "face" Conj | N-ms

This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.

Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger

Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.

אֱלֹהִ֨ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

עָ֘לָ֤ה ʻâlâh H5927 "to ascend" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.

Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself

Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.

בָ/הֶ֗ם "" Prep | Suff

וַֽ֭/יַּהֲרֹג hârag H2026 "to kill" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

To kill or slay with intent, as seen in the Bible when God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations. This word is used in various forms, including to murder or destroy. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy.

Definition: 1) to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kill, slay 1a2) to destroy, ruin 1b) (Niphal) to be killed 1c) (Pual) to be killed, be slain

Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:8; 2 Kings 8:12; Psalms 10:8.

בְּ/מִשְׁמַנֵּי/הֶ֑ם mashmân H4924 "fat" Prep | N-mp | Suff

Mashman means a rich or fertile thing, such as a fat piece of food, a robust person, or a productive field, emphasizing abundance and richness.

Definition: fatness, fat, fertile place

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: fat (one, -ness, -test, -test place). See also: Genesis 27:28; Psalms 78:31; Isaiah 10:16.

וּ/בַחוּרֵ֖י bâchûwr H970 "youth" Conj | N-mp

In the Bible, this word refers to a young person, often a chosen or select individual, like a young man in his prime. It appears in various contexts, including descriptions of young soldiers. The term emphasizes the idea of being selected or set apart.

Definition: youth, young man

Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: (choice) young (man), chosen, [idiom] hole. See also: Deuteronomy 32:25; Jeremiah 18:21; Psalms 78:31.

יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper

Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.

Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile

Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.

הִכְרִֽיעַ kâraʻ H3766 "to bow" V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms

To bow means to bend your knee or sink down in reverence, like when you pray or worship. In Genesis 24:52 and Exodus 4:31, people bow down to show respect and humility. It is a sign of surrender and submission.

Definition: 1) to bend, kneel, bow, bow down, sink down to one's knees, kneel down to rest (of animals), kneel in reverence 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bow 1a2) to bow down, crouch 1a3) to bow down over 1a4) to tilt, lean 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to bow

Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: bow (down, self), bring down (low), cast down, couch, fall, feeble, kneeling, sink, smite (stoop) down, subdue, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 49:9; Esther 3:5; Psalms 17:13.

Study Notes — Psalms 78:31

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Psalms 78:31 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:31
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:31
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:31
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:31
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:31
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:31
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:31
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:31

Context — I Will Open My Mouth in Parables

29So they ate and were well filled, for He gave them what they craved. 30Yet before they had filled their desire, with the food still in their mouths,

31God’s anger flared against them, and He put to death their strongest and subdued the young men of Israel.

32In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; despite His wonderful works, they did not believe. 33So He ended their days in futility, and their years in sudden terror.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 10:16	Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame.

Psalms 78:31 Summary

Psalms 78:31 tells us that God's anger flared against the Israelites because they did not trust Him and instead demanded their own desires. This verse reminds us that God is a holy and just God who will not tolerate rebellion and disobedience, as stated in Exodus 34:6-7. When we demand our own way and ignore God's will, we can face serious consequences, but when we trust and obey Him, we can experience His love and mercy, as seen in Psalms 103:8-14. By trusting God's sovereignty and provision, we can avoid the kind of judgment that the Israelites faced and instead live a life of faith and obedience, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God's anger flare against the Israelites in Psalms 78:31?

God's anger flared against the Israelites because they did not trust Him and instead demanded their own desires, as seen in Psalms 78:29-30, similar to the rebellion against God in the wilderness in Numbers 11:4-6 and 1 Corinthians 10:10.

Who were the strongest and young men of Israel that God put to death in Psalms 78:31?

The strongest and young men of Israel likely refer to the physically strong and able-bodied men who were supposed to be the leaders and defenders of Israel, but instead were struck down by God's judgment, much like the deaths that occurred in Numbers 14:29-30 and 1 Corinthians 10:5.

How does Psalms 78:31 relate to the concept of God's discipline and judgment?

Psalms 78:31 illustrates God's discipline and judgment on those who refuse to obey and trust Him, as also seen in Hebrews 12:5-11, where God's discipline is compared to a father's correction of his children.

What can we learn from the Israelites' experience in Psalms 78:31 about God's character?

The Israelites' experience in Psalms 78:31 teaches us that God is a holy and just God who will not tolerate rebellion and disobedience, as stated in Exodus 34:6-7 and Deuteronomy 32:4, and that He is also a loving God who desires our trust and obedience.

Reflection Questions

How have I recently demanded my own desires and ignored God's will, and what are the potential consequences of such actions?
In what ways can I apply the lesson of Psalms 78:31 to my own life, trusting God's sovereignty and provision instead of relying on my own strength?
What are some areas where I need to surrender my desires and trust God's plan, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11?
How can I balance the fear of God's discipline with the comfort of His love and mercy, as seen in Psalms 103:8-14 and 1 John 4:18?
What does Psalms 78:31 teach me about the importance of humility and dependence on God, as emphasized in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and Philippians 4:13?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 78:31

The wrath of God came upon them,.... Either by causing fire to come down from heaven, or by suffering them to be surfeited by excessive eating, or by sending a plague among them; see Numbers 11:33,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 78:31

Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 78:31

The fattest of them; the most healthy and strong, who probably were most desirous of this food, and fed most eagerly upon it, and grew fatter by it, and least suspected their own danger.

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 78:31

Psalms 78:31 The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen [men] of Israel.Ver. 31. The wrath of God came upon them] Heb. ascended, as a flame, which the bigger it groweth the higher it getteth. And slew the fattest of them] Those that had glutted and stuffed themselves like a woolpack, being nitida et bene curata cute pingues, fat and fair-liking. And smote down the chosen men of Israel] Or, The young men, who by a hasty testament bequeathed that new name, Kibroth-hattaavah, that is, the graves of lust, to the place they lay buried In.

Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 78:31

(31) Slew the fattest.—This may mean either the strongest or the noblest.

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 78:31

31. When the anger of God went up against them, And slew of the lustiest of them, And laid low the young men of Israel. Even before they had been surfeited with the quails—an allusion to Numbers 11:20—the judgement fell upon them (Numbers 11:33), and the plague broke out. God punishes men by answering their prayers, a truth which even heathen moralists recognised.

Barnes' Notes on Psalms 78:31

The wrath of God came upon them - See Numbers 11:33. And slew the fattest of them - literally, “slew among their fat ones.” That is, The most vigorous among them were cut down; the people most

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 78:31

31. The wrath of God—It does not appear that the plague and mortality which broke out were wholly a natural result of their intemperance, but a direct judgment of God, which made their feasting a loathsomeness and terror.