Psalms 78:21

Therefore the LORD heard [this], and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

Therefore the LORD {H3068} heard {H8085}{H8804)} this, and was wroth {H5674}{H8691)}: so a fire {H784} was kindled {H5400}{H8738)} against Jacob {H3290}, and anger {H639} also came up {H5927}{H8804)} against Israel {H3478};

Therefore, when ADONAI heard, he was angry; fire blazed up against Ya'akov; his anger mounted against Isra'el;

Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel,

Therefore Jehovah heard, and was wroth; And a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also went up against Israel;

Commentary

Context

Psalm 78 is a didactic psalm, meaning it is designed to teach. It recounts the history of Israel from the Exodus through the establishment of the Davidic covenant, highlighting the nation's repeated cycles of rebellion and God's consistent faithfulness. Verse 21 directly follows the people's grumbling and demanding food in the wilderness (Psalms 78:18-20), explicitly questioning God's ability to provide meat. They had seen God's miraculous provision of manna and water from the rock (as mentioned in Psalms 78:16), yet their hearts remained unbelieving and rebellious, provoking the Lord's anger.

Key Themes

  • Divine Wrath and Justice: The verse starkly illustrates God's righteous anger when His people test Him and show persistent unbelief. This is not capricious anger, but a just response to their provocation and lack of trust, despite His covenantal love and abundant provision.
  • Consequences of Unbelief: The "fire" against Jacob and "anger" against Israel demonstrate the immediate and severe repercussions of their faithlessness. This judgment served as a powerful, albeit painful, lesson about the seriousness of doubting and defying God.
  • God's Hearing and Response: "The LORD heard [this]" emphasizes that God is not distant or unaware of His people's attitudes and words. He listens to their complaints, and His response, whether blessing or judgment, is always just and appropriate.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wroth" is charah (Χ—ΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ”), which conveys a burning, intense anger, often associated with a hot nose or fury. It signifies a strong displeasure. The phrase "fire was kindled" uses the verb ba'ar (Χ‘ΦΌΦΈΧ’Φ·Χ¨), which describes a consuming, blazing fire, emphasizing the destructive and immediate nature of God's judgment.

Related Scriptures

The specific event of fire consuming the outskirts of the Israelite camp, mentioned here, is vividly recorded in Numbers 11:1-3, where the place was named Taberah ("burning"). This incident occurred because of their complaining and lusting after other food, even after God provided manna. This judgment also highlights a recurring theme in scripture: God's patience has limits, and persistent rebellion leads to consequences, a concept echoed in passages concerning judgment for ungodliness, such as Romans 1:18.

Practical Application

Psalm 78:21 serves as a sober warning for believers today:

  • Beware of Complaining and Testing God: This verse cautions against doubting God's power and provision, especially after experiencing His faithfulness. Our complaints can be a form of testing Him, challenging His character and trustworthiness.
  • Cultivate Trust and Faith: Instead of murmuring, we are called to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and trust in God's wisdom and provision, even in challenging circumstances. True faith acknowledges God's sovereignty and goodness.
  • God's Holiness and Justice: It reminds us that while God is loving and merciful, He is also holy and just. He does not tolerate persistent rebellion and unbelief indefinitely. Understanding this aspect of His character fosters reverence and encourages obedience.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 11:1

    ΒΆ And [when] the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard [it]; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed [them that were] in the uttermost parts of the camp.

  • Numbers 11:3

    And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.

  • Jude 1:5

    I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:11

    Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

  • Hebrews 12:29

    For our God [is] a consuming fire.

  • Numbers 11:10

    Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased.

  • Psalms 78:31

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