Psalms 106:18

KJV

And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.

KJV (with Strong's)

And a fire {H784} was kindled {H1197} in their company {H5712}; the flame {H3852} burned up {H3857} the wicked {H7563}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 106:18 vividly portrays a divine act of swift and decisive judgment, where a consuming fire was supernaturally unleashed upon a rebellious faction within the Israelite community during their wilderness journey. This verse serves as a profound and sobering reminder of the severe and immediate consequences that accompany open defiance against God's established authority and His chosen leadership, underscoring the absolute holiness, unyielding justice, and formidable power of the Almighty in dealing with sin and insubordination.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 106 is a confessional and historical psalm, forming part of a larger collection (Psalms 105-107) that systematically recounts Israel's tumultuous history of rebellion against God, juxtaposed with His enduring faithfulness and steadfast mercy. This particular verse is embedded within a section (verses 16-18) that specifically recalls the infamous rebellion of Dathan and Abiram, along with their co-conspirators, against the divinely appointed leadership of Moses and Aaron during the wilderness wanderings. The psalm's narrative frequently highlights Israel's repeated cycles of sin, God's righteous wrath, and His subsequent compassion, making the judgment described in [Psalms 106:18](/psalms/106-18 "Psalms 106:18 - Fire Consumes the Rebellious") a stark example of divine retribution provoked by severe and direct disobedience. This verse immediately follows the psalmist's description of the rebels' envy and their audacious challenge to Moses and Aaron's leadership in [Psalms 106:16](/psalms/106-16 "Psalms 106:16 - Rebellion Against Moses and Aaron"), setting the immediate stage for the dramatic and divinely orchestrated consequence of their actions.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events recounted in [Psalms 106:18](/psalms/106-18 "Psalms 106:18 - Fire Consumes the Rebellious") are directly drawn from the detailed narrative found in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram"). Dathan and Abiram, from the tribe of Reuben, along with Korah, a Levite, and 250 prominent leaders of the congregation, mounted a significant challenge to Moses's and Aaron's divinely ordained roles. Their rebellion was not merely a political dispute over leadership but a profound theological assault on the unique, sacred priestly office established by God for Aaron and his descendants. The act of offering incense, which was strictly reserved for the Levitical priesthood, constituted a sacrilegious usurpation of divine authority and a direct affront to God's holiness. This grave act of insubordination prompted God's immediate and fiery judgment upon the 250 men who offered the unauthorized incense, as explicitly recorded in [Numbers 16:35](/numbers/16-35 "Numbers 16:35 - Fire Consumes the Incense-Bearers"), while the earth swallowed Dathan and Abiram and their households ([Numbers 16:31-33](/numbers/16-31-33 "Numbers 16:31-33 - The Earth Swallows Dathan and Abiram")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several core theological themes woven throughout the Psalms and the Pentateuch. It prominently highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating God's swift, precise, and decisive action against those who directly oppose His sovereign will and His chosen representatives. It profoundly underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience**, particularly the dangers inherent in pride, envy, and challenging legitimate, divinely ordained authority. The narrative emphasizes that open rebellion against God's established order incurs severe and often immediate repercussions, as vividly seen in [Numbers 16:31-35](/numbers/16-31-35 "Numbers 16:31-35 - The Earth Swallows Dathan and Abiram, Fire Consumes the 250"). Furthermore, the consuming fire vividly symbolizes **God's Absolute Holiness and Unwavering Justice**, portraying Him as utterly righteous, pure, and unyielding in His demand for reverence, obedience, and adherence to His sacred decrees, a truth powerfully echoed in [Deuteronomy 4:24](/deuteronomy/4-24 "Deuteronomy 4:24 - God is a Consuming Fire") and [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Hebrews 12:29 - Our God is a Consuming Fire").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fire (Hebrew, _ʼêsh'_):** The Hebrew word אֵשׁ (`ʼêsh`) for "fire" is a foundational and potent term in the Old Testament, carrying diverse theological implications. While it can signify God's manifest presence (e.g., the burning bush in [Exodus 3:2](/exodus/3-2 "Exodus 3:2 - The Burning Bush")), purification, or divine illumination, in the context of [Psalms 106:18](/psalms/106-18 "Psalms 106:18 - Fire Consumes the Rebellious"), it unequivocally denotes divine judgment and wrath. It is a tangible, supernatural manifestation of God's holy indignation against sin, consuming and obliterating that which directly opposes His righteous nature and established order. Here, it is not merely a natural phenomenon but a direct, punitive act of God's justice.
* **Company (Hebrew, _ʻêdâh'_):** The term עֵדָה (`ʻêdâh`), translated as "company," "assembly," or "congregation," refers to a stated assemblage or a concourse of people. In the specific context of [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram") and [Psalms 106:18](/psalms/106-18 "Psalms 106:18 - Fire Consumes the Rebellious"), it precisely designates the assembly of the 250 men who joined Korah, Dathan, and Abiram in their rebellion and audaciously offered unauthorized incense. This word emphasizes that the judgment was not indiscriminate but precisely targeted at a specific, identifiable group of individuals who collectively participated in the egregious act of defiance against God's ordained authority.
* **Wicked (Hebrew, _râshâʻ'_):** The Hebrew term רָשָׁע (`râshâʻ`), used here in its plural form (`râshâʻîm`), describes those who are morally wrong, guilty, ungodly, or actively rebellious against God's established law and order. It signifies a profound moral and spiritual state of being in direct opposition to God's will and righteous character. By explicitly labeling those consumed by the fire as "the wicked," the psalmist powerfully underscores their profound moral culpability and the inherent justness of the divine retribution that befell them. Their actions were not merely mistaken but fundamentally evil and rebellious in God's holy sight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And a fire was kindled in their company;":** This clause describes the immediate, supernatural, and divinely initiated onset of judgment. The passive voice "was kindled" (from H1197, _bâʻar_, to kindle) strongly implies a divine agent, clearly God Himself, as the source and initiator of this consuming fire. The phrase "in their company" (H5712, _ʻêdâh_) precisely specifies the target of this judgment: the particular group of rebels who had gathered to challenge Moses and Aaron, specifically the 250 men who presumed to offer incense. This highlights the precise, intentional, and targeted nature of God's wrath against those who directly defied His established order and sacred authority.
* **"the flame burned up the wicked.":** This second clause details the devastating and conclusive outcome of the divine fire. The term "flame" (H3852, _lehâbâh_) is an intensified and active manifestation of the fire, emphasizing its consuming power and destructive force. The verb "burned up" (H3857, _lâhaṭ_, to blaze, burn up) signifies complete annihilation and destruction, leaving no doubt about the finality and totality of the judgment. The object of this consumption, "the wicked" (H7563, _râshâʻ_), explicitly identifies the moral character of those upon whom the judgment fell, unequivocally reinforcing that this was a righteous act of justice against individuals who had acted in profound and unrepentant rebellion against the Almighty.

#### Literary Devices
[Psalms 106:18](/psalms/106-18 "Psalms 106:18 - Fire Consumes the Rebellious") employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message of divine judgment. **Symbolism** is paramount, with "fire" serving as a multifaceted symbol not only of divine presence and purification but, most prominently here, of God's holy wrath and righteous judgment. This consuming fire is not merely a natural element but a direct, supernatural manifestation of God's indignation against sin and rebellion, demonstrating His absolute intolerance for unholiness. The succinctness of the verse, describing such a dramatic and devastating event with remarkable brevity, contributes significantly to its **Dramatic Impact**, making the judgment feel immediate, absolute, and unavoidable. Furthermore, the psalmist's explicit choice of "the wicked" provides a clear **Moral Categorization**, leaving no ambiguity about the culpability and moral state of those who faced this severe divine retribution, thus reinforcing the justice of God's action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Psalms 106:18](/psalms/106-18 "Psalms 106:18 - Fire Consumes the Rebellious") stands as a powerful and enduring testament to the unchanging nature of God's holiness and justice. While His mercy endures forever, His character also demands that sin, particularly open rebellion against His divine authority and sacred order, be met with righteous judgment. This specific event in Israel's history serves as a perpetual and solemn warning that the Living God is not to be trifled with, and that His standards of righteousness and reverence are absolute and unyielding. The "fire" described here is a prefigurement of God's ultimate and final judgment against all unrighteousness, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to upholding His covenant, His divine decrees, and the sacred order He has established. It serves as an eternal reminder that while God is boundless love, He is also a consuming fire, and His justice is an intrinsic and non-negotiable aspect of His very being, demanding both awe and obedience from His creation.

* [Numbers 16:35](/numbers/16-35 "Numbers 16:35 - Fire Consumes the Incense-Bearers")
* [Deuteronomy 4:24](/deuteronomy/4-24 "Deuteronomy 4:24 - God is a Consuming Fire")
* [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Hebrews 12:29 - Our God is a Consuming Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Psalms 106:18](/psalms/106-18 "Psalms 106:18 - Fire Consumes the Rebellious"), though rooted in a specific historical judgment, carries profound and timeless relevance for believers today. It calls us to cultivate a deep and abiding reverence for God's absolute holiness and to maintain a sober understanding of the gravity of sin, particularly forms of rebellion against divinely appointed authority, whether within the church, the family, or civil society. While we now live under the new covenant of grace, the fundamental principles of God's unchanging character—His justice, His holiness, and His intolerance for sin—remain eternally true. This verse prompts us to engage in honest self-examination, searching our own hearts for any seeds of pride, envy, or dissent that might subtly lead to challenging God's revealed will or His chosen instruments. It serves as a powerful reminder that true humility and genuine obedience are not merely external acts of conformity but flow from a heart that profoundly acknowledges God's supreme sovereignty, His perfect wisdom, and His righteous authority. We are called to live in reverent awe of Him, trusting implicitly in His perfect plan and submitting wholeheartedly to His righteous ways, rather than seeking to usurp His authority or question His divine appointments.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I be challenging God's authority or His appointed leaders in my life today, whether in the church or other spheres?**
* **How does understanding God as a "consuming fire" against sin deepen my view of His holiness and strengthen my personal commitment to obedience and reverence?**
* **What seeds of pride, envy, or discontent might be present in my heart that, if left unchecked, could potentially lead to rebellion against God's will or His established order?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper sense of reverence, humility, and trust before God and His divinely established order in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**What was the specific rebellion referred to in Psalms 106:18?**

Answer: [Psalms 106:18](/psalms/106-18 "Psalms 106:18 - Fire Consumes the Rebellious") refers to the infamous rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, a pivotal event detailed extensively in [Numbers 16](/numbers/16 "Numbers 16 - The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram"). This was a significant and direct challenge to the divinely appointed leadership of Moses and Aaron during Israel's forty years of wilderness wanderings. Korah, a Levite, along with Dathan and Abiram, from the tribe of Reuben, gathered 250 prominent leaders of the congregation. They accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the rest of the congregation, claiming that all Israelites were equally holy and therefore equally entitled to priestly functions and leadership. The "fire" mentioned in [Psalms 106:18](/psalms/106-18 "Psalms 106:18 - Fire Consumes the Rebellious") specifically consumed the 250 men who, at Korah's instigation, presumed to offer unauthorized incense before the Lord, an act that was a sacred privilege reserved exclusively for the legitimate Aaronic priesthood, as explicitly recorded in [Numbers 16:35](/numbers/16-35 "Numbers 16:35 - Fire Consumes the Incense-Bearers"). In a separate but related judgment, the earth also supernaturally opened up and swallowed Dathan and Abiram and their households alive ([Numbers 16:31-33](/numbers/16-31-33 "Numbers 16:31-33 - The Earth Swallows Dathan and Abiram")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Psalms 106:18](/psalms/106-18 "Psalms 106:18 - Fire Consumes the Rebellious") vividly portrays God's consuming fire of judgment against rebellion and sin in the Old Testament, its ultimate fulfillment and most profound theological meaning are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament judgments, like the fire that consumed the wicked in the wilderness, served as powerful foreshadows of God's absolute holiness, His unwavering demand for justice against sin, and the dire consequences of human rebellion. Yet, in Christ, we witness the ultimate expression of this divine justice perfectly met with boundless mercy. The "fire" of God's righteous wrath, which should justly fall upon all humanity for its pervasive rebellion and sin, was completely absorbed and exhausted by Jesus on the cross. He became the perfect substitute, bearing the full, unmitigated weight of divine judgment, so that all who believe in Him might be spared the consuming fire of God's righteous indignation. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") profoundly declares, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Thus, the solemn warning of [Psalms 106:18](/psalms/106-18 "Psalms 106:18 - Fire Consumes the Rebellious") points us to the profound and indispensable need for a Savior—one who could stand in the gap, perfectly fulfill the law, and satisfy the infinite demands of God's holiness and justice. For the believer in Christ, the "consuming fire" is no longer a threat of condemnation but a refining fire of purification through the indwelling Holy Spirit, preparing us for eternal fellowship and glorification with the One who bore the judgment for us ([1 Peter 1:7](/1_peter/1-7 "1 Peter 1:7 - The Testing of Your Faith")). However, for those who persistently reject Christ and His atoning sacrifice, the warning of a future, eternal judgment by fire remains a terrifying reality, as vividly described in New Testament passages like [Matthew 25:41](/matthew/25-41 "Matthew 25:41 - Eternal Fire for the Unrighteous") and [Revelation 20:14-15](/revelation/20-14-15 "Revelation 20:14-15 - The Lake of Fire").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.