Psalms 106:29 — Word Study
WLCוַ֭יַּכְעִיסוּ בְּמַֽעַלְלֵיהֶ֑ם וַתִּפְרָץ־ בָּ֝֗ם מַגֵּפָֽה׃
BSASo they provoked [the LORD] to angerkaʻaç▸ [to anger, stirred up, the supreme God, Yehovah, wrath, indignation] with their deedsmaʻălâl [actions, inventions] and a plaguemaggêphâh [divine judgment, pestilence] broke outpârats▸ [burst forth, forced its way]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַ֭יַּכְעִיסוּ | and they provoked to anger | Verb, Hiphil, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| בְּמַֽעַלְלֵיהֶ֑ם | by deeds their | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| וַתִּפְרָץ־ | and it broke out | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine singular |
| בָּ֝֗ם | among them | Preposition, suffix |
| מַגֵּפָֽה׃ | a plague | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. |
| KJV | Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. |
| ASV | Thus they provoked him to anger with their doings; And the plague brake in upon them. |
| YLT | And they provoke to anger by their actions, And a plague breaketh forth upon them, |
| WEB | Thus they provoked him to anger with their deeds. The plague broke in on them. |
| BBE | So they made him angry by their behaviour; and he sent disease on them. |
Translations agree on the key elements of the verse, particularly regarding the actions that provoked the LORD and the resulting plague.
The structure shows a main action followed by a prepositional phrase and a consequence, illustrating the cause-and-effect relationship.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
subjectמַגֵּפָה
verbכָּעַס
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 106:29
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Consequences of Disobediencegenerated
Psalm 106:29 describes how the Israelites provoked the LORD to anger through their deeds, specifically by turning to false gods and engaging in idolatry. This provocation resulted in a plague breaking out among them, serving as a divine judgment for their actions. The context highlights the recurring theme of Israel's unfaithfulness and the consequences that followed, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 106:39 | They defiled themselves by their actions and prostituted themselves by their deeds. |
| 2 | Psalm 99:8 | O LORD our God, You answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, yet an avenger of their misdeeds. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 32:16–21 | They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. |
| 4 | Ecclesiastes 7:29 | Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made men upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” |
| 5 | Romans 1:21–24 | For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כָּעַס, Vai.yakh.'i.sugenerated
The verb כָּעַס (ka`as) is a Hiphil form, indicating that the subject causes someone else to experience anger. This verb is used frequently in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing the act of provoking or making someone angry, particularly in relation to God.
In this verse, it captures the intensity of the Israelites' actions that stirred up God's wrath. The choice of this verb highlights the seriousness of their deeds, which were not merely mistakes but deliberate provocations against the divine.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse uses provoked to anger, which is consistent with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs in the verse are יַּכְעִיסוּ and תִּפְרָץ, which govern the actions described. The structure shows a cause-and-effect relationship: the provoking of the LORD leads directly to the outbreak of the plague.
The sentence is organized with the main action of provoking followed by the consequence of the plague, illustrating the direct link between Israel's disobedience and divine judgment.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates כָּעַס as παρώχυναν, which carries a similar meaning of provoking or stirring up anger. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the emotional weight of the action.
For מַגֵּפָֽה, the Septuagint uses ἐπληθύνθη, indicating an increase or spreading of the plague, which aligns with the idea of divine judgment manifesting among the people.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 106:29 tells us that the Israelites angered the LORD with their actions, leading to a plague among them. This verse highlights the consequences of their disobedience and serves as a reminder of the seriousness of turning away from God.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To provoke the LORD to anger means to act in ways that are contrary to His commands, leading to His displeasure and judgment.
The plague serves as a divine judgment against the Israelites for their disobedience, illustrating the consequences of turning away from God.
The actions of the Israelites remind us of the importance of faithfulness to God and the potential consequences of disobedience.
We can learn about the seriousness of our actions and the importance of remaining faithful to God to avoid provoking Him to anger.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways might I be provoking God through my actions today?
- How can I ensure my deeds align with God's will?
- What steps can I take to avoid the consequences of disobedience seen in this passage?
- How does this verse encourage me to reflect on my relationship with God?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentary on this verse highlights the consequences of provoking God through disobedient actions. Augustine of Hippo reflects on the themes of divine judgment and human responsibility.
"Thus they provoked Him to anger with their own inventions; and destruction was multiplied among them" [Psalms 106:29].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 106 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 106:29 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThus they provoked him to anger with their inventions,.... Sin is an invention of man's: when our first parents sinned, they found out many inventions; and their posterity ever since have been
Read John Gill on Psalms 106 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryYea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: (1) The people's distrust of the Lord's word as to Canaan after hearing the spies' report (Psalms 106:24-27).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 106 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 106:29 Thus they provoked [him] to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.Ver. 29. Thus they provoked him] God cannot brook men’ s devices in matters of religion; he will have no other worship than what himself hath appointed. And the plague brake in upon them] As a deluge, or as an army, very impetuously, to the destroying of twenty-four thousand persons.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 106 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(13-33) These twenty verses cover the desert wanderings, beginning with the discontented spirit mentioned in Exodus 15:23.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 106 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges29. And they provoked (him) to anger with their doings] Again a Deuteronomic expression. Cp. Deuteronomy 4:25; Deuteronomy 9:18; Deuteronomy 31:29; Deuteronomy 32:16; Deuteronomy 32:21. ‘Inventions’ of A.V. reproduces the Vulg. adinventionibus suis. a plague] Lit. smiting; either the slaughter of the guilty Israelites which had been enjoined (Numbers 25:4-5), or, as the word commonly means (Numbers 16:48, &c.), a divinely inflicted pestilence.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 106 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThus they provoked him to anger with their inventions - The word rendered “inventions” means properly “works; deeds;” then it is used in the sense of “evil” deeds, crimes. And the plague brake in upon them - See Numbers 25:8-9.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 106 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them.
Thus they provoked him to anger with their deeds. The plague broke in on them.
So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them.
They made the Lord angry by their actions, and a plague broke out among them.
Tyndale line
Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.
Thus they provoked him to anger with their doings; And the plague brake in upon them.
Thus they provoked him to anger with their doings; and the plague brake in upon them.
Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague broke in upon them.
Thus they prouoked him vnto anger with their owne inuentions, and the plague brake in vpon them.
Strictly literal
And they provoked [him] to anger with their doings; and a plague broke out among them.
And they provoke to anger by their actions, And a plague breaketh forth upon them,
And they provoke to anger by their actions, || And a plague breaks forth on them,
And they provoked him to anger with their deeds: and there broke in among them the plague.
They provoked him to anger with their actions, and a plague broke out among them.
From the Latin
And he turned the storm into a breeze: and its waves were still.
Simplified
They provoked the Lord by what they did, making him angry, so a plague broke out among them.
So they made him angry by their behaviour; and he sent disease on them.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree on the wording of this verse, with four of the five Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation. The differences in word order reflect the distinct grammatical structure of the Greek language.
וַ֭יַּכְעִיסוּ בְּמַֽעַלְלֵיהֶ֑ם וַתִּפְרָץ־ בָּ֝֗ם מַגֵּפָֽה׃
4 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 106:29
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
כָּעַס (ka`as) is a Hebrew verb that conveys a range of emotions related to anger and vexation. It can mean to be angry, vexed, or indignant, and can also imply provoking someone to anger. The word has different forms, including Qal (to be angry), Piel (to provoke to anger), and Hiphil (to vex).
כָּעַס vb. be vexed, angry
Qal
be vexed, indignant
be angry
Piel. provoke to anger
Hiph.
vex
vex, provoke to anger
base
H3707 כָּעַס be vexed, angry
3707 ka`ac kaw-as'
a primitive root; to trouble; by implication, to grieve,
rage, be indignant:--be angry, be grieved, take indignation,
provoke (to anger, unto wrath), have sorrow, vex, be wroth.
כָּעַס (ka.as) — to provoke.
1) to be angry, be vexed, be indignant, be wroth, be grieved, provoke to anger and wrath
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be vexed, be indignant
1a2) to be angry
1b) (Piel) to provoke to anger
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to vex
1c2) to vex, provoke to anger
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vhw3mp
an'-ger: In the Old Testament, the translation of several Hebrew words, especially of 'aph (lit. "nostril," "countenance"), which is used some 45 times of human, 177 times of Divine, anger (OHL). The word occurs rarely in the New Testament (Mr 3:5; Eph 4:31; Col 3:8; Re 14:10), its place being taken by the word "wrath" (see WRATH). As a translation of words denoting God's "anger," the English word is unfortunate so far as it may seem to imply selfish, malicious or vindictive personal feeling. The anger of God is the response of His holiness to outbreaking sin. Particularly when it culminates in action is it rightly called Has "wrath." The Old Testament doctrine of God's anger…
Anger
The emotion of instant displeasure on account of something evil that presents itself to our view. In itself it is an original susceptibility of our nature, just as love is, and is not necessarily sinful. It may, however, become sinful when causeless, or excessive, or protracted (Matt. 5:22; Eph. 4:26; Col. 3:8). As ascribed to God, it merely denotes his displeasure with sin and with sinners (Ps. 7:11).
A violent emotion of a painful nature, sometimes arising spontaneously upon just occasion, but usually characterized in the Bible as a great sin, Mt 5:22 Eph 4:31 Col 3:8. Even when just, our anger should be mitigated by a due consideration of the circumstances of the offence and the state of mind of the offender; of the folly and ill-results of this passion; of the claims of the gospel, and of our own need of forgiveness from others, but especially from God, Mt 6:15. Anger is in Scripture frequently attributed to God, Mt 7:11 28:20; not that he is liable to those violent emotions which this passion produces, but…
מַעֲלָל (ma`alal) refers to a deed or practice, often with a negative connotation. It encompasses actions or works, whether good or bad, and is derived from a root meaning to act. The entries consistently highlight its focus on deeds and practices.
[מַעֲלָל] 41 n.m. deed, practice
base
H4611 מַעֲלָל deed, practice
4611 ma`alal mah-al-awl'
from 5953; an act (good or bad):--doing, endeavour,
invention, work.
see HEBREW for 05953
מַעֲלָל (ma.a.lal) — deed.
1) deed, practice
1a) practice (usually bad)
1b) deeds
1c) acts
Prep | N-mp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp
פָּרַץ (parats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to break through or burst out, with applications that range from literal actions like breaking open to figurative uses such as increasing or spreading. It can describe violent actions, breaches, or the act of breaking away. The entries suggest a variety of contexts, including mining and the dispersion of visions.
פָּרַץ vb. break through
Qal
break or burst out
break through, down (from without)
break into
break open, a mining shaft
break up, break in pieces
break out (violently) upon
use violence
break over [limits], increase
burst open, intrans., of wine vats
spread, i.e. become known
Niph. no vision spread abroad
Hithp. slaves who break away
base
H6555 פָּרַץ break through .. break or burst out
. break through, down (from without)
. break into
. break open, a mining shaft
. break up, break in pieces
. break out (violently) upon
. use violence
. break over [limits], increase
. burst open, intrans., of wine vats
. spread, i.e. become known
. no vision spread abroad
. slaves who break away
6555 parats paw-rats'
a primitive root; to break out (in many applications, direct
and indirect, literal and figurative):--X abroad, (make a)
breach, break (away, down, -er, forth, in, up), burst out,
come (spread) abroad, compel, disperse, grow, increase, open,
press, scatter, urge.
פָּרַץ (pa.rats) — to break through.
1) to break through or down or over, burst, breach
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to break or burst out (from womb or enclosure)
1a2) to break through or down, make a breach in
1a3) to break into
1a4) to break open
1a5) to break up, break in pieces
1a6) to break out (violently) upon
1a7) to break over (limits), increase
1a8) to use violence
1a9) to burst open 1a10) to spread, distribute
1b) (Niphal) to be broken through
1c) (Pual) to be broken down
1d) (Hithpael) to break away
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singularHc/Vqw3fs
הֶם (hem) — them.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural
HR/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3mp
מַגֵּפָה (maggephah) refers to a blow or stroke, often associated with fatal outcomes such as slaughter or pestilence. It encompasses meanings related to divine judgment and defeat, indicating both physical and metaphorical impacts. The term is used in contexts of plague and slaughter, highlighting its significance in discussions of calamity.
מַגֵּפָה n.f. blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence
base
H4046 מַגֵּפָה blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence
4046 maggephah mag-gay-faw'
from 5062; a pestilence; by analogy, defeat:--(X be)
plague(-d), slaughter, stroke.
see HEBREW for 05062
מַגֵּפָה (mag.ge.phah) — plague.
1) blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence, strike, smite
1a) blow (fatal stroke)
1b) slaughter (of battle)
1c) plague, pestilence (divine judgment)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
plag (negha`, makkah, maggephah; mastix, plege): This word which occurs more than 120 times is applied, like pestilence, to such sudden outbursts of disease as are regarded in the light of divine visitations. It is used in the description of leprosy about 60 times in Le 13 and 14, as well as in De 24:8. In the poetical, prophetic and eschatological books it occurs about 20 times in the general sense of a punitive disaster. The Gospel references (Mr 3:10; 5:29,34; Lu 7:21) use the word as a synonym for disease.
The specific disease now named "plague" has been from the earliest historic times a frequent visitant to Palestine and Egypt. Indeed in the Southeast between Gaza and Bubastis it has occurred so frequently that it may…
Plague
A “stroke” of affliction, or disease. Sent as a divine chastisement (Num. 11:33; 14:37; 16:46-49; 2 Sam. 24:21). Painful afflictions or diseases, (Lev. 13:3, 5, 30; 1 Kings 8:37), or severe calamity (Mark 5:29; Luke 7:21), or the judgment of God, so called (Ex. 9:14). Plagues of Egypt were ten in number.
(1.) The river Nile was turned into blood, and the fish died, and the river stank, so that the Egyptians loathed to drink of the river (Ex. 7:14-25).
See PESTILENCE.
→ As a judgment on the Egyptians Ps 105; 135:8,9; Ac 7:36
→ The plague of
Blood Ex 7:14-25
Frogs Ex 8:1-15
Lice Ex 8:16-19
Flies Ex 8:20
→ On cattle Ex 9:1-7
→ Of boils and open sores Ex 9:8-12
→ Hail Ex 9:18-34
→ Locusts Ex 10:1-20
→ Darkness Ex 10:21-23
→ Death of the firstborn Ex 11:4-7; 12:17,29,30