Psalm 78:21
New International Version
When the LORD heard them, he was furious; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel,

New Living Translation
When the LORD heard them, he was furious. The fire of his wrath burned against Jacob. Yes, his anger rose against Israel,

English Standard Version
Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel,

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

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

New King James Version
Therefore the LORD heard this and was furious; So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel,

New American Standard Bible
Therefore the LORD heard and was full of wrath; And a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also mounted against Israel,

NASB 1995
Therefore the LORD heard and was full of wrath; And a fire was kindled against Jacob And anger also mounted against Israel,

NASB 1977
Therefore the LORD heard and was full of wrath, And a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also mounted against Israel;

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore Yahweh heard and was full of wrath; And a fire was kindled against Jacob And anger also mounted against Israel,

Amplified Bible
Therefore, when the LORD heard, He was full of wrath; A fire was kindled against Jacob, And His anger mounted up against Israel,

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, the LORD heard and became furious; then fire broke out against Jacob, and anger flared up against Israel

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, the LORD heard and became furious; then fire broke out against Jacob, and anger flared up against Israel

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

Contemporary English Version
When the LORD heard this, he was angry and furious with Jacob's descendants, the people of Israel.

English Revised Version
Therefore the LORD heard, and was wroth: and a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also went up against Israel;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the LORD heard this, he became furious. His fire burned against Jacob and his anger flared up at Israel

Good News Translation
And so the LORD was angry when he heard them; he attacked his people with fire, and his anger against them grew,

International Standard Version
Therefore, when the LORD heard this, he was angry, and fire broke out against Jacob. Moreover, his anger flared against Israel,

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

NET Bible
When the LORD heard this, he was furious. A fire broke out against Jacob, and his anger flared up against Israel,

New Heart English Bible
Therefore the LORD heard, and was angry. A fire was kindled against Jacob, anger also went up against Israel,

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

World English Bible
Therefore Yahweh heard, and was angry. A fire was kindled against Jacob, anger also went up against Israel,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore YHWH has heard, "" And He shows Himself angry, "" And fire has been kindled against Jacob, "" And anger has also gone up against Israel,

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore hath Jehovah heard, And He sheweth Himself wroth, And fire hath been kindled against Jacob, And anger also hath gone up against Israel,

Smith's Literal Translation
For this Jehovah heard and he will overflow, and a fire was kindled in Jacob, and also anger came up upon Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore the Lord heard, and was angry: and a fire was kindled against Jacob, and wrath came up against Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, the Lord heard, and he was dismayed, and a fire was kindled within Jacob, and an anger ascended into Israel.

New American Bible
The LORD heard and grew angry; fire blazed up against Jacob; anger flared up against Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of rage; a fire was kindled against Jacob, his anger mounted against Israel,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore the LORD heard this and was angered; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, LORD JEHOVAH heard and he was angry, and a fire seized upon Jacob, also wrath came up in Israel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore the LORD heard, and was wroth; And a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also went up against Israel;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore the Lord heard, and was provoked: and fire was kindled in Jacob, and wrath went up against Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
20When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents raged. But can He also give bread or supply His people with meat?” 21Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel, 22because they did not believe God or rely on His salvation.…

Cross References
Numbers 11:1-3
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.

Numbers 11:33-34
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.

Deuteronomy 9:22
You continued to provoke the LORD at Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah.

Exodus 16:2-3
And there in the desert the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. / “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!”

Exodus 17:2-7
So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?” / But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” / Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What should I do with these people? A little more and they will stone me!” ...

Numbers 14:11-12
And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them? / I will strike them with a plague and destroy them—and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are.”

Numbers 20:12
But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”

Deuteronomy 1:34-35
When the LORD heard your words, He grew angry and swore an oath, saying, / “Not one of the men of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your fathers,

Isaiah 5:25
Therefore the anger of the LORD burns against His people; His hand is raised against them to strike them down. The mountains quake, and the corpses lie like refuse in the streets. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

Isaiah 10:5-6
Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. / I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets.

Hebrews 3:16-19
For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? / And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? ...

Hebrews 4:2-3
For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it. / Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said: “So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’” And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world.

1 Corinthians 10:5-6
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.

1 Corinthians 10:9-11
We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. / And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. / Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

Jude 1:5
Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you that after Jesus had delivered His people out of the land of Egypt, He destroyed those who did not believe.


Treasury of Scripture

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

the Lord

Psalm 78:31
The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.

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.

1 Corinthians 10:5,11
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness…

a fire

Numbers 11:1-3
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…

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.

Hebrews 12:29
For our God is a consuming fire.

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Psalm 78
1. An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God
9. The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient
67. The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.














Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath;
This phrase indicates that God is attentive to the actions and attitudes of His people. The context of Psalm 78 is a recounting of Israel's history, particularly their repeated disobedience and lack of faith despite God's miraculous works. The "wrath" of God is a response to Israel's rebellion and ingratitude. Biblically, God's wrath is not arbitrary but a just response to sin (Romans 1:18). This reflects the covenant relationship where God expects obedience and faithfulness from His people (Deuteronomy 28).

so a fire was kindled against Jacob,
The imagery of fire represents God's judgment and purification. In the wilderness, God manifested His presence as a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21), but here, fire symbolizes His anger. "Jacob" refers to the nation of Israel, descended from Jacob, highlighting their identity and covenantal history. The use of "Jacob" instead of "Israel" can emphasize their human frailty and tendency to sin, as Jacob was known for his struggles and transformation (Genesis 32:28).

and His anger flared against Israel,
This phrase reiterates the intensity of God's displeasure. "Israel" is used to denote the collective people of God, emphasizing their role as His chosen nation (Exodus 19:5-6). The historical context includes Israel's frequent idolatry and failure to trust God, as seen in the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 14:11). Theologically, this reflects the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. It also foreshadows the ultimate need for a savior, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who bears God's wrath on behalf of humanity (Isaiah 53:5).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is portrayed as just and righteous, responding to the disobedience of His people.

2. Jacob
Represents the nation of Israel, as Jacob was the patriarch whose descendants became the twelve tribes of Israel.

3. Israel
The chosen people of God, who were delivered from Egypt but often fell into disobedience and unbelief.

4. Fire
Symbolizes God's judgment and wrath, often used in the Old Testament to depict divine retribution.

5. Wrath of God
A response to the people's lack of faith and rebellion, highlighting God's holiness and justice.
Teaching Points
God's Holiness and Justice
God's response to sin is rooted in His holy nature. He cannot tolerate rebellion and unbelief, which should lead us to a reverent fear of the Lord.

The Consequences of Disobedience
The Israelites' experience serves as a warning that disobedience and lack of faith have serious consequences. We must strive to live in obedience to God's commands.

The Importance of Faith
Faith is crucial in our relationship with God. The Israelites' failure to trust God led to His wrath. We are called to trust in God's provision and promises.

Learning from the Past
The history of Israel is recorded for our instruction. We should learn from their mistakes and seek to live lives that are pleasing to God.

God's Patience and Mercy
Despite His anger, God is patient and merciful, providing opportunities for repentance and restoration. We should be grateful for His grace and seek to align our lives with His will.(21) See references in margin.

Verse 21. - Therefore the Lord heard this. Though these might be unspoken thoughts, yet God would "hear" them, i.e. be aware of them; for "he knoweth the very secrets of the heart." And was wroth (comp. vers. 59, 62; Deuteronomy 3:26). So a fire was kindled against Jacob. Not a material fire, as in Leviticus 10:2; Numbers 11:1-3; and Numbers 16:35; but the fire of God's displeasure. And anger also came up against Israel (comp. vers. 30, 31; Numbers 11:33).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore
לָכֵ֤ן ׀ (lā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

heard
שָׁמַ֥ע (šā·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

and was full of wrath;
וַֽיִּתְעַבָּ֥ר (way·yiṯ·‘ab·bār)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

so a fire
וְ֭אֵשׁ (wə·’êš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

was kindled
נִשְּׂקָ֣ה (niś·śə·qāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5400: To catch fire

against Jacob,
בְיַעֲקֹ֑ב (ḇə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

and
וְגַם־ (wə·ḡam-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

His anger
אַ֝֗ף (’ap̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

flared
עָלָ֥ה (‘ā·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

against Israel
בְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (ḇə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT Poetry: Psalm 78:21 Therefore Yahweh heard and was angry (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 78:20
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