Psalm 78:31-33
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The "fattest" and "chosen" among them aren't just the physically strong or elite; the text highlights those most indulged and perhaps most arrogant in their desires. God's wrath struck not just randomly, but with a pointed judgment on those reveling in their satisfaction.
the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel. In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe. So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm recounts Israel's history as a lesson, emphasizing how their repeated disobedience and forgetfulness of God's wonders led to His judgment. After detailing God's miraculous provision of quail in the wilderness, this verse describes the swift and severe consequence: God's anger fell upon them, striking down the strongest and most vital among them for their gluttony and lust. The psalm then continues to detail further instances of their faithlessness and God's discipline.
Ever wonder if God's anger is like human anger – uncontrolled and impulsive? This verse gives us a clue, showing that divine wrath is purposeful, not random.
Psalms 78:31 describes God's anger rising against the Israelites. This isn't a picture of God losing control. Instead, it's a sober reminder that God’s anger is a righteous response to sin and rebellion. The context of Psalm 78 tells us that this divine judgment followed a period of intense grumbling and craving by the Israelites, who were deeply unsatisfied with God's provision of manna. Their lust for meat, a stark contrast to their past miracles, led them to 'tempt God' with their demands.
The Cause of His Anger
God's anger, therefore, is not an emotional outburst but a holy reaction to persistent sin, a judgment that brings consequences.
When judgment falls, who is affected? This verse highlights that it’s not just the ‘bad guys’ but the very best who are struck down.
The psalmist doesn't just say that Israelites were killed; he specifies who fell: 'the strongest of them' and 'the young men.' This is significant.
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Who Was Hit?
This imagery shows the totality of the judgment. It wasn't a selective culling but a devastating blow that struck at the heart of Israel's vitality and potential. It underscores that when God judges, the consequences are severe and affect the entire community, not just a select few.
Understand the original words
aph · Hebrew Noun
A display of God’s holiness and justice in response to human rebellion or sin; it is not a capricious emotional outburst but a settled, righteous opposition to evil.
pele · Hebrew Noun
Acts of divine power that exceed natural laws, performed by God to reveal His presence, authority, and purpose to His people and the nations.
aman · Hebrew Verb
The foundational spiritual defect of failing to trust in God's word and character, which leads to disobedience and alienation from His covenant promises.
This psalm vividly recounts the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, highlighting how even during times of God's provision, their persistent grumbling and lust led to severe judgment. The 'wrath of God' described here is a direct consequence of their insatiable desires and lack of trust, showing that God's faithfulness to His people doesn't negate His righteous judgment against sin.
c. 1440 BC
Exodus from Egypt
After centuries of slavery, God dramatically delivers the Israelites from Egypt under Moses' leadership.
c. 1440-1400 BC
Wilderness Wanderings Begin
The Israelites begin their journey to the Promised Land, a period marked by both divine provision and repeated rebellion.
c. 1440 BC— this verse
The Plague at Kibroth-hattaavah
The people lust for meat and complain to God, leading to a plague that kills many of the Israelites, particularly the 'chosen men' or strongest among them, as divine judgment for their gluttony and lack of faith.
c. 1440-1400 BC
Forty Years of Wandering
Due to their persistent disobedience and lack of faith, the Israelites are condemned to wander in the wilderness for forty years, with the generation that left Egypt (except for Joshua and Caleb) perishing before entering the Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC
Entry into the Promised Land
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites finally cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of Canaan.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
David unites the tribes and establishes Jerusalem as the capital, ushering in a golden age for Israel.
This passage directly parallels Psalm 78:31, describing God's anger leading to a plague that killed the Israelites after they lusted after meat, showing the consequences of discontentment.
1 Corinthians 10:6This New Testament passage directly references the event in Numbers and Psalm 78, warning believers not to crave evil things as the Israelites did, highlighting the enduring relevance of this historical judgment.
Psalm 106:14-15This psalm also recounts Israel's wilderness sin of craving and discontent, explicitly stating that God sent leanness into their soul, connecting their lust for meat to spiritual and physical decay.
Deuteronomy 8:3This passage emphasizes God's provision of manna to teach Israel that man does not live by bread alone but by every word from God's mouth, contrasting with their desire for flesh and their subsequent judgment.
pulpitPsalms 78:31: "The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel."
Verse 31. - The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them (comp. Numbers 11:33, "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. And smote down the chosen men…
expositorsPsalms 78:1-72: "Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth."
Psalm 78:1-72 THIS psalm is closely related to Psalm 105:1-45 ; Psalm 106:1-48 ; Psalm 107:1-43 . Like them, it treats the history of Israel, and especially the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, for purposes of edification, rebuke, and encouragement. The past is held up as a mirror to the present generation. It has been one long succession of miracles of mercy met by equally continu…
The "fattest" and "chosen" among them aren't just the physically strong or elite; the text highlights those most indulged and perhaps most arrogant in their desires. God's wrath struck not just randomly, but with a pointed judgment on those reveling in their satisfaction.
This psalm recounts Israel's history as a lesson, emphasizing how their repeated disobedience and forgetfulness of God's wonders led to His judgment. After detailing God's miraculous provision of quail in the wilderness, this verse describes the swift and severe consequence: God's anger fell upon them, striking down the strongest and most vital among them for their gluttony and lust. The psalm then continues to detail further instances of their faithlessness and God's discipline.
This psalm recounts Israel's history as a lesson, emphasizing how their repeated disobedience and forgetfulness of God's wonders led to His judgment. After detailing God's miraculous provision of quail in the wilderness, this verse describes the swift and severe consequence: God's anger fell upon them, striking down the strongest and most vital among them for their gluttony and lust. The psalm then continues to detail further instances of their faithlessness and God's discipline.
"the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel. In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe. So he made their days…" — The "fattest" and "chosen" among them aren't just the physically strong or elite; the text highlights those most indulged and perhaps most arrogant in their desires. God's wrath struck not just rando…
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Last reviewed October 2026
