Bible Strands
Psalms 106:18
Then fire blazed through their company; flames consumed the wicked.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the gathered community of Israel, recounting the immediate aftermath of the earth swallowing Dathan and Abiram’s assembly. The narrator stands at a moment of historical review, marking the transition from terrestrial judgment to aerial fire.
The words — The Hebrew verb תִּבְעַר (tivʿar) means “it burned,” paired with אֵשׁ (ʾēš) for “fire” and לֶהָבָה (lēhāḇāh) for “flames” to describe the rapid spread of destruction. The phrase תְּלַהֵט רְשָׁעִים (telāhēṯ rəšāʿîm) literally renders “it burned up the wicked,” specifying the complete consumption of the rebellious group.
The thread — This imagery of consuming fire runs through Numbers 16:35, where fire from the LORD destroys the 250 men offering incense, and is referenced in Hebrews 12:29, which declares God a consuming fire. The pattern connects to the altar fire in Numbers 16:46, showing a consistent scriptural link between divine presence and destructive judgment.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that persistent rebellion triggers immediate and total destruction. It demands a clear-eyed acceptance that divine judgment operates with finality against established wickedness.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.
Cross-references
- Numbers 16:35 And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.
- Hebrews 12:29 “For our God is a consuming fire.”
- Numbers 16:46 Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.”