King James Version

What Does Psalms 106:18 Mean?

Psalms 106:18 in the King James Version says “And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 106 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 106:18 · KJV

Context

16

They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD.

17

The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

18

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

19

They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.

20

Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse continues describing judgment on Korah's rebellion. 'A fire was kindled in their company' refers to the fire from the LORD that consumed the 250 men offering incense (Numbers 16:35). These men had presumed to offer incense, a privilege reserved for Aaron's priesthood. 'The flame burned up the wicked' emphasizes that this was divine fire executing judgment. Fire is frequently associated with God's holiness and judgment (Hebrews 12:29: 'our God is a consuming fire'). The consuming fire demonstrates that approaching God presumptuously, without authorized access, brings destruction. This prefigures the truth that only through Christ, our great High Priest, can we approach God's holiness safely (Hebrews 4:14-16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The 250 leaders who offered incense were prominent men ('famous in the congregation,' Numbers 16:2), yet their status didn't grant them priestly privileges. Their destruction by fire demonstrated that God's holiness cannot be approached casually or by self-appointed means. Later, Nadab and Abihu (Aaron's sons) were similarly consumed by fire for offering 'strange fire' (Leviticus 10:1-2), showing that even priests must approach God on His terms, not their own.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does judgment by divine fire teach about God's holiness and our approach to worship?
  2. How does the destruction of unauthorized priests prefigure Christ as our only access to God?
  3. In what ways do people today presume unauthorized access to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
וַתִּבְעַר1 of 6

“was kindled”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

אֵ֥שׁ2 of 6

“And a fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

בַּעֲדָתָ֑ם3 of 6

“in their company”

H5712

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

לֶ֝הָבָ֗ה4 of 6

“the flame”

H3852

flame

תְּלַהֵ֥ט5 of 6

“burned up”

H3857

properly, to lick, i.e., (by implication) to blaze

רְשָׁעִֽים׃6 of 6

“the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 106:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 106:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 12:29Numbers 16:46Numbers 16:35-40

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