King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.
Complete Jewish Bible:
A fire blazed out against that group, the flames consumed the wicked.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then fire blazed through their company; flames consumed the wicked.
American Standard Version:
And a fire was kindled in their company; The flame burned up the wicked.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And a fire{H784} was kindled{H1197} in their company{H5712}; the flame{H3852} burned up{H3857} the wicked{H7563}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Hebrews 12:29
- For our God [is] a consuming fire.
Numbers 16:46
- And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.
Numbers 16:35
- ¶ And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
Numbers 16:40
- [To be] a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which [is] not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.
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Commentary for Psalms 106:18
Psalm 106:18 is part of a lengthy psalm that recounts the history of Israel, detailing the nation's unfaithfulness to God and His enduring faithfulness to them despite their transgressions. This particular verse refers to an incident where divine judgment was executed against the sinful among the Israelites. The imagery of fire consuming the wicked is symbolic of God's wrath and serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and idolatry.
The historical context of this verse can be linked to various events in Israel's history where fire from God served as a form of punishment. One such event is found in Numbers 11, where the people of Israel complained about their hardships, and as a result, fire from the Lord consumed some of the outlying parts of the camp. Another instance is in Numbers 16, during the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, where fire from God consumed the 250 men who offered incense.
The themes present in Psalm 106:18 include the holiness and justice of God, the seriousness of sin, and the sobering reality of divine retribution. The verse underscores the idea that while God is merciful and forgiving, He is also a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29) against sin and will not leave it unpunished. It serves as a cautionary reminder to the people of Israel, and by extension to all readers, to live righteously and to remain faithful to God's covenant, lest they incur His wrath. The psalm as a whole encourages repentance and reliance on God's steadfast love and redemption, even in the face of judgment.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H784
There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵשׁ
Transliteration: ʼêsh
Pronunciation: aysh
Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. - Strong's Number: H1197
There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּעַר
Transliteration: bâʻar
Pronunciation: baw-ar'
Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַר; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish; be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. - Strong's Number: H5712
There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵדָה
Transliteration: ʻêdâh
Pronunciation: ay-daw'
Description: feminine of עֵד in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd); assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare עֵדָה. - Strong's Number: H3852
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֶהָבָה
Transliteration: lehâbâh
Pronunciation: leh-aw-baw'
Description: or לַהֶבֶת; feminine of לַהַב, and meaning the same; {a flash; figuratively, a sharply polished blade or point of aweapon}; flame(-ming), head (of a spear). - Strong's Number: H3857
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָהַט
Transliteration: lâhaṭ
Pronunciation: law-hat'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to lick, i.e. (by implication) to blaze; burn (up), set on fire, flaming, kindle. - Strong's Number: H7563
There are 249 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָשָׁע
Transliteration: râshâʻ
Pronunciation: raw-shaw'
Description: from רָשַׁע; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.