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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 78:31 God's anger flared against them, and He put to death their strongest and subdued the young men of Israel.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/78-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/19_Psa_078_031.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 78:31 - I Will Open My Mouth in Parables" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="God's anger flared against them, and He put to death their strongest and subdued the young men of Israel." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/78-31.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/78-31.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/78.htm">Chapter 78</a> > Verse 31</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/78-30.htm" title="Psalm 78:30">◄</a> Psalm 78:31 <a href="/psalms/78-32.htm" title="Psalm 78:32">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/78.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />God&#8217s anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/78.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />the anger of God rose against them, and he killed their strongest men. He struck down the finest of Israel’s young men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/78.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />God’s anger flared against them, and He put to death their strongest and subdued the young men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/78.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen <i>men</i> of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/78.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The wrath of God came against them, And slew the stoutest of them, And struck down the choice <i>men</i> of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/78.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The anger of God rose against them And killed some of their strongest ones, And subdued the choice men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The anger of God rose against them And killed some of their stoutest ones, And subdued the choice men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The anger of God rose against them, And killed some of their stoutest ones, And subdued the choice men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/78.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The anger of God rose against them And killed some of their stoutest ones, And subdued the choice men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/78.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The wrath of God rose against them And killed some of the strongest of them, And subdued the choice young men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/78.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />God’s anger flared up against them, and he killed some of their best men. He struck down Israel’s fit young men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/78.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />God&#8217s anger flared up against them, and He killed some of their best men. He struck down Israel&#8217s choice young men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/78.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />When the anger of God went up against them, And slew of the fattest of them, And smote down the young men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/78.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God became angry and killed the strongest and best from the families of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/78.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />When the anger of God went up against them, and slew of the fattest of them, and smote down the young men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/78.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />the anger of God flared up against them. He killed their strongest men and slaughtered the best young men in Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/78.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />when God became angry with them and killed their strongest men, the best young men of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/78.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />the anger of God flared against them, and he killed the strongest men and humbled Israel's young men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/78.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />God?s anger flared against them, and He put to death their strongest and subdued the young men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/78.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />when the anger of God flared up against them. He killed some of the strongest of them; he brought the young men of Israel to their knees. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/78.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />when the anger of God went up against them, killed some of the fattest of them, and struck down the young men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/78.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/78.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />when the anger of God went up against them, killed some of their strongest, and struck down the young men of Israel. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/78.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the anger of God has gone up against them, "" And He slays among their fat ones, "" And He caused youths of Israel to bend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/78.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the anger of God hath gone up against them, And He slayeth among their fat ones, And youths of Israel He caused to bend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/78.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the anger of God came up upon them, and he will slay among their fat ones and he bowed down the chosen of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/78.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />and the wrath of God came upon them. And he slew the fat ones amongst them, and brought down the chosen men of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/78.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 77:31>and then the wrath of God came upon them. And he slew the fat ones among them, and he impeded the elect of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/78.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />God’s anger flared up against them, and he made a slaughter of their strongest, laying low the youth of Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/78.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />the anger of God rose against them and he killed the strongest of them, and laid low the flower of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/78.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The anger of God came upon them and slew the richest of them, and made to bow the chosen men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/78.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The wrath of God went up among them and he killed some of their rich and he prostrated the Elect Ones of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/78.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />When the anger of God went up against them, And slew of the lustieth among them, And smote down the young men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/78.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />then the indignation of God rose up against them, and slew the fattest of them, and overthrew the choice men of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/78-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=9669" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">I Will Open My Mouth in Parables</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">30</span>Yet before they had filled their desire, with the food still in their mouths, <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: wə·’ap̄ (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire.">anger</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ā·lāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">flared</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">against them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: way·ya·hă·rōḡ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">and He put to death</a> <a href="/hebrew/4924.htm" title="4924: bə·miš·man·nê·hem (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- From shaman; fat, i.e. fatness; but usually a rich dish, a fertile field, a robust man.">their strongest</a> <a href="/hebrew/3766.htm" title="3766: hiḵ·rî·a‘ (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate.">and subdued</a> <a href="/hebrew/970.htm" title="970: ū·ḇa·ḥū·rê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- A young man. Or bachur; participle passive of bachar; properly, selected, i.e. A youth.">the young men</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel.</a> </span><span class="reftext">32</span>In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; despite His wonderful works, they did not believe.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/11-33.htm">Numbers 11:33-34</a></span><br />But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck them with a severe plague. / So they called that place Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved other food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-5.htm">1 Corinthians 10:5-11</a></span><br />Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness. / These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did. / Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/16-12.htm">Exodus 16:12-15</a></span><br />“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’” / That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. / When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/11-1.htm">Numbers 11:1-3</a></span><br />Soon the people began to complain about their hardship in the hearing of the LORD, and when He heard them, His anger was kindled, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp. / And the people cried out to Moses, and he prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down. / So that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-29.htm">Numbers 14:29-37</a></span><br />Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me. / Surely none of you will enter the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. / But I will bring your children, whom you said would become plunder, into the land you have rejected—and they will enjoy it. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-15.htm">Deuteronomy 32:15-20</a></span><br />But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked—becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation. / They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. / They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-25.htm">1 Samuel 2:25</a></span><br />If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-18.htm">2 Kings 17:18-20</a></span><br />So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained, / and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced. / So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-16.htm">Isaiah 10:16-19</a></span><br />Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts will send a wasting disease among Assyria’s stout warriors, and under his pomp will be kindled a fire like a burning flame. / And the Light of Israel will become a fire, and its Holy One a flame. In a single day it will burn and devour Assyria’s thorns and thistles. / The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-15.htm">Jeremiah 9:15-16</a></span><br />Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will feed this people wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink. / I will scatter them among the nations that neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will send a sword after them until I have finished them off.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-21.htm">Ezekiel 20:21-24</a></span><br />But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness. / But I withheld My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. / However, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-6.htm">Hosea 13:6-8</a></span><br />When they had pasture, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud, and as a result they forgot Me. / So like a lion I will pounce on them; like a leopard I will lurk by the path. / Like a bear robbed of her cubs I will attack them, and I will tear open their chests. There I will devour them like a lion, like a wild beast tearing them apart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-28.htm">Matthew 24:28</a></span><br />Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-37.htm">Luke 17:37</a></span><br />“Where, Lord?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-18.htm">Romans 1:18-32</a></span><br />The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. / For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. / For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The wrath of God came on them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.</p><p class="hdg">smote down.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/78-21.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/job/36-16.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/psalms/47-4.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/psalms/74-5.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/psalms/73-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/77-8.htm">End</a> <a href="/psalms/73-7.htm">Fat</a> <a href="/daniel/11-24.htm">Fattest</a> <a href="/psalms/78-10.htm">God's</a> <a href="/psalms/78-21.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/psalms/60-1.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/psalms/78-25.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/13-17.htm">Picked</a> <a href="/psalms/78-21.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/job/5-2.htm">Slayeth</a> <a href="/job/1-15.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/psalms/78-20.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-2.htm">Strongest</a> <a href="/psalms/78-20.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/psalms/47-3.htm">Subdued</a> <a href="/psalms/78-21.htm">Wrath</a> <a href="/psalms/71-17.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/psalms/141-5.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/psalms/84-10.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/psalms/94-23.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/psalms/78-34.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/78-33.htm">End</a> <a href="/psalms/81-16.htm">Fat</a> <a href="/daniel/11-24.htm">Fattest</a> <a href="/psalms/78-59.htm">God's</a> <a href="/psalms/78-41.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/psalms/78-34.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/psalms/78-71.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-17.htm">Picked</a> <a href="/psalms/104-8.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-32.htm">Slayeth</a> <a href="/psalms/78-34.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/psalms/78-51.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-30.htm">Strongest</a> <a href="/psalms/78-51.htm">Struck</a> <a href="/psalms/81-14.htm">Subdued</a> <a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Wrath</a> <a href="/psalms/78-63.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 78</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-1.htm">An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-9.htm">The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient</a></span><br><span class="reftext">67. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-67.htm">The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/78.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/78.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>God’s anger flared against them</b><br>This phrase indicates a divine response to Israel's disobedience and lack of faith. Throughout the Old Testament, God's anger is often depicted as a reaction to idolatry, rebellion, and covenant unfaithfulness (e.g., <a href="/exodus/32-10.htm">Exodus 32:10</a>, <a href="/numbers/11.htm">Numbers 11:1</a>). The anger of God is not arbitrary but is a just response to sin, reflecting His holiness and righteousness. In the context of <a href="/psalms/78.htm">Psalm 78</a>, this anger is a result of Israel's repeated testing of God despite His continuous provision and miracles, such as the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna.<p><b>and He put to death their strongest</b><br>This phrase suggests a specific judgment upon the most capable or prominent members of the community, possibly referring to warriors or leaders. In the historical context of Israel, strength was often associated with military prowess and leadership (e.g., <a href="/1_samuel/2-4.htm">1 Samuel 2:4</a>). The death of the strongest serves as a severe warning and a demonstration of God's power and authority over life and death. It echoes other instances in Scripture where God directly intervenes to remove those who lead or embody rebellion (e.g., <a href="/numbers/16-31.htm">Numbers 16:31-35</a> with Korah's rebellion).<p><b>and subdued the young men of Israel</b><br>The subduing of the young men indicates a broader impact on the community, affecting the future generation and their potential. Young men in Israelite society were often seen as the hope for the future, responsible for carrying on the legacy and traditions of the people. This subduing could imply a loss of vitality, morale, or even a reduction in numbers due to divine judgment. It reflects the consequences of collective disobedience and serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God. This theme is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as in the warnings given in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a> about the consequences of turning away from God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, whose righteous anger is directed towards the Israelites due to their disobedience and lack of faith.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who are the recipients of His judgment due to their rebellion and ingratitude despite His continuous provision and miracles.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_strongest_and_young_men_of_israel.htm">The Strongest and Young Men of Israel</a></b><br>These individuals represent the prime and strength of the nation, indicating that God's judgment was severe and affected the most capable among them.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of <a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">Psalm 78</a> refers to the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, a period marked by repeated disobedience and testing of God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_anger.htm">God’s Anger</a></b><br>This event is a manifestation of divine judgment, a recurring theme in the history of Israel when they turned away from God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>This verse serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God can lead to severe consequences, even for those who are considered strong and capable.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_righteous_anger.htm">God’s Righteous Anger</a></b><br>Understanding that God's anger is not arbitrary but a response to sin and rebellion helps us appreciate His holiness and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faithfulness.htm">The Importance of Faithfulness</a></b><br>The Israelites' failure to trust and obey God despite His continuous provision highlights the importance of remaining faithful and grateful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_history.htm">Learning from History</a></b><br>Reflecting on the past mistakes of the Israelites can guide us in making better choices and avoiding similar pitfalls in our spiritual journey.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_mercy_and_justice.htm">God’s Mercy and Justice</a></b><br>While this verse focuses on judgment, it is important to remember that God's actions are always balanced by His mercy, calling us to repentance and restoration.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_78.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 78</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_divine_punishment_in_psalm_78_at_odds_with_a_loving_god.htm">Does the repeated theme of divine punishment in Psalm 78 conflict with the concept of a loving God found in other biblical passages?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_78_align_with_archaeology.htm">How do the events recounted in Psalm 78 compare with archaeological findings regarding the Israelites’ wilderness journey?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_psalm_31_7-8_with_suffering.htm">Psalm 31:7-8 affirms divine deliverance, yet history shows numerous faithful people suffering or dying--how do we reconcile this apparent discrepancy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_psalm_83_4_with_genesis_12_3.htm">How do we reconcile Psalm 83:4's call to wipe out Israel with God's promises of protection in other passages like Genesis 12:3?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/78.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) <span class= "bld">Slew the fattest.</span>--This may mean either the <span class= "ital">strongest </span>or the <span class= "ital">noblest.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/78.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them (</span>comp. <a href="/numbers/11-33.htm">Numbers 11:33</a>, "While the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague"). By "the fattest of them," we are to understand the strongest and healthiest. <span class="cmt_word">And smote down the chosen men of Israel;</span> rather, <span class="accented">the young men</span>, as in the margin, "the ripened youths" (Cheyne). Here, again, the author adds touches which he has not obtained from the Pentateuch. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/78-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">God’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֨ים ׀</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">anger</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַ֤ף</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">flared against them,</span><br /><span class="heb">עָ֘לָ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and He put to death</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽ֭יַּהֲרֹג</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·hă·rōḡ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smite with deadly intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their strongest</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמִשְׁמַנֵּיהֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·miš·man·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4924.htm">Strong's 4924: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fat, fatness, a rich dish, a fertile field, a robust man</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and subdued</span><br /><span class="heb">הִכְרִֽיעַ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hiḵ·rî·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3766.htm">Strong's 3766: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the young men</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבַחוּרֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇa·ḥū·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_970.htm">Strong's 970: </a> </span><span class="str2">Selected, a youth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/78-31.htm">Psalm 78:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/78-31.htm">Psalm 78:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/78-31.htm">Psalm 78:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/78-31.htm">Psalm 78:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/78-31.htm">Psalm 78:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/78-31.htm">Psalm 78:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/78-31.htm">Psalm 78:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/78-31.htm">Psalm 78:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/78-31.htm">Psalm 78:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/78-31.htm">Psalm 78:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/78-31.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 78:31 When the anger of God went up (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/78-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 78:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/78-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 78:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:32" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>