Psalms 106:29

Thus they provoked [him] to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.

Thus they provoked him to anger {H3707} with their inventions {H4611}: and the plague {H4046} brake in {H6555} upon them.

Thus they provoked him to anger with their deeds, so that a plague broke out among them.

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 doings; And the plague brake in upon them.

Psalms 106:29 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's history, highlighting their deep disobedience and the immediate, severe consequences that followed. This verse encapsulates a recurring pattern seen throughout the Old Testament: Israel's tendency to stray from God's commands and invent their own forms of worship or cultural practices, leading to divine judgment.

Context

This verse specifically refers to the infamous incident at Baal-peor, fully detailed in Numbers chapter 25. While encamped in Shittim, the Israelites began to engage in sexual immorality with Moabite women and participated in their idolatrous worship, bowing down to their gods, particularly Baal-peor. These "inventions" were not merely new ideas but corrupt practices and deviations from the covenant God had established with them. Their actions were a direct affront to God's holiness and His command against idolatry, as warned in Deuteronomy 4:3. As a result of this grave sin, a severe plague broke out among the people, leading to the death of 24,000 Israelites.

Key Themes

  • The Danger of Idolatry: The verse powerfully illustrates the severe consequences of turning away from the one true God to worship false deities or adopt ungodly practices. Idolatry is not just about bowing to statues but also prioritizing anything above God.
  • Divine Justice and Wrath: God's response to Israel's "inventions" was swift and decisive. The "plague" serves as a stark reminder of God's righteous anger against sin and His unwavering commitment to justice. This wrath is not arbitrary but a just response to rebellion against His holy character and commands, echoing God's wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.
  • Human Rebellion and Consequences: Psalms 106 consistently recounts Israel's cycle of rebellion, forgetfulness of God's works, and subsequent suffering. Verse 29 is a prime example of how human "inventions" (self-devised ways, sinful practices) directly lead to painful outcomes.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "provoked" comes from the Hebrew ka'as (כָּעַס), which conveys a sense of deep vexation, grief, or anger. It indicates that Israel's actions were not merely an inconvenience but deeply offensive to God.
  • "Inventions" translates the Hebrew ma'asim (מַעֲשִׂים), meaning 'deeds' or 'works'. In this context, it refers to their evil or corrupt practices, particularly those they devised themselves in opposition to God's revealed will.
  • The "plague" (Hebrew magephah, מַגֵּפָה) signifies a 'stroke' or 'slaughter', often referring to a divinely sent pestilence or epidemic as a form of judgment.

Practical Application

Psalms 106:29 remains highly relevant today. It warns against the dangers of spiritual compromise and the temptation to create our own moral or spiritual standards apart from God's word. Just as Israel's "inventions" led to a plague, embracing worldly philosophies or practices that contradict biblical truth can lead to spiritual and even physical consequences. The verse calls believers to a life of faithful obedience, reminding us that God's character has not changed; He is still holy and demands our exclusive devotion. We are admonished to learn from Israel's mistakes, as noted in 1 Corinthians 10:8, and to walk in the wisdom of God rather than our own "inventions."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:8

    Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

  • Deuteronomy 32:16

    They provoked him to jealousy with strange [gods], with abominations provoked they him to anger.

  • Deuteronomy 32:21

    They have moved me to jealousy with [that which is] not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with [those which are] not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

  • Psalms 99:8

    Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

  • Romans 1:21

    Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

  • Romans 1:24

    Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

  • Psalms 106:39

    Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back