Psalms 78:31

Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

فَنَزَلَ غَضَبُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِمْ، وَقَتَلَ حَتَّى أوفَرَهُمْ صِحَّةً، وَأذَلَّ حَتَّى خِيرَةَ جُنُودِ إسْرَائِيلَ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Psalms describes how God's anger affected the Israelites. It says that God punished them by killing their strongest and most chosen men. The speaker is likely Asaph, a psalmist who is recounting Israel's history.

Explained for Children

Imagine if a teacher was really upset with a class and decided to punish the smartest and strongest kids. That's what happened here. God was upset with the Israelites and punished them by taking away their best and strongest people.

Historical Background

The Psalmist Asaph wrote this around 1000 BC. It was written for the Israelites, likely to remind them of God's power and faithfulness. The cultural setting was one of nomadic and then settled life in the Promised Land.

Living It Out Today

In today's context, imagine a company that has to lay off its top performers because of poor leadership. This could be a parallel to how God's wrath can affect a community. It's a reminder to be mindful of our actions and the consequences they can have on our community.

Topics

• punishment
• wrath
• faithfulness
• leadership
• consequences
• community

Related Verses

• Exodus 32:35
• Numbers 16:46
• 1 Corinthians 11:30
• Hebrews 12:29
• Ezekiel 36:21

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God's wrath come upon the Israelites?

God's wrath came upon the Israelites as a consequence of their disobedience and lack of faith in Him, as seen throughout the Old Testament.

Who were the 'fattest' and 'chosen men' mentioned in the verse?

The 'fattest' and 'chosen men' likely refer to the strongest and most important members of the Israelite community who were targeted by God's wrath.

What can we learn from this verse about God's justice?

This verse teaches us that God's justice is real and that there are consequences for disobedience, even for the strongest and most chosen among His people.

How does this verse relate to other parts of the Bible?

This verse relates to other parts of the Bible that speak about God's wrath and the consequences of disobedience, such as Exodus 32:35 and 1 Corinthians 11:30.