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

PSALMS 106:18KJV
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Psalms 106:18 (KJV)

What does Psalms 106:18 mean?

Psalms 106:18 describes how a fire broke out among a group of people, and its flames destroyed those who were considered wicked. The verse is recalling a specific moment of judgment in Israel’s history, emphasizing the seriousness of their wrongdoing.

The psalm is spoken by someone reflecting on Israel’s past failures and God’s responses. This verse refers to the incident in the wilderness when some Israelites rebelled against Moses’ leadership, and God sent fire as a punishment. The verse is part of a larger passage recounting Israel’s repeated disobedience and God’s acts of discipline and mercy.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 106:18

  • fire (אֵשׁ, ’esh): This word means "fire" in Hebrew and is often used in the Old Testament to represent God’s presence or judgment. Here, it signals a direct and powerful act from God.
  • company (עֵדָה, ‘edah): This word refers to an assembly or group, often used for the congregation of Israel. In this context, it points to the specific group that rebelled.
  • wicked (רָשָׁע, rasha‘): This term means "wicked" or "evil person." The verse singles out those who acted in opposition to God’s ways, making clear who was affected by the fire.

Why Psalms 106:18 matters

  • Psalms 106:18 helps clarify that the fire was not a random disaster but a response to a specific act of rebellion, showing the seriousness of turning against God’s instructions.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme of Psalms 106, which is a confession of Israel’s repeated failures and a reminder of the consequences that followed.
  • By recalling this event, the psalmist emphasizes both God’s justice and the importance of remembering past lessons to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Where else these words appear

“up” Hebrew H3857 · used in 11 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
  • Psalms 83:14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
  • Isaiah 42:25 Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.

“flame” Hebrew H3852 · used in 19 verses

  • Numbers 21:28 For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.
  • Isaiah 5:24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
  • Ezekiel 20:47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

“kindled” Hebrew H1197 · used in 90 verses

  • Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
  • 2 Samuel 22:9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
  • Isaiah 30:33 For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

“company” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
  • Numbers 31:13 And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp.