Psalms 78:31
The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וְאַ֤ף
The wrath
H639
וְאַ֤ף
The wrath
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
אֱלֹהִ֨ים׀
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֨ים׀
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 9
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
עָ֘לָ֤ה
came
H5927
עָ֘לָ֤ה
came
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
3 of 9
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בְּמִשְׁמַנֵּיהֶ֑ם
the fattest
H4924
בְּמִשְׁמַנֵּיהֶ֑ם
the fattest
Strong's:
H4924
Word #:
6 of 9
fat, i.e., (literally and abstractly) fatness; but usually (figuratively and concretely) a rich dish, a fertile field, a robust man
וּבַחוּרֵ֖י
the chosen
H970
וּבַחוּרֵ֖י
the chosen
Strong's:
H970
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
Historical Context
The 'chosen men' likely included tribal leaders and warriors—Israel's elite who should have modeled faith but instead led rebellion. Their deaths at Kibroth-hattaavah ('graves of craving') memorialized that privilege increases accountability.
Questions for Reflection
- How might your strength (health, wealth, talent) become the arena where you're most vulnerable to judgment?
- Does God's discipline of 'chosen' Israel warn you that Christian privilege increases, not decreases, accountability?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel—divine wrath (ḥĕmat 'Ĕlōhîm) targeted specifically the mišmannîm (fattest, most robust) and baḥûrîm (chosen/choice young men). The healthiest died first—those whose strength made them confident in self-sufficiency. Their vigor became vulnerability when misplaced in fleshly appetite rather than spiritual devotion.
This selective judgment parallels Ananias and Sapphira's sudden deaths (Acts 5:1-11)—not the weakest but the presumptuous died as warnings to others. Paul explains: 'For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died' (1 Corinthians 11:30)—divine discipline targets covenant people who treat grace as license. God judges the household first (1 Peter 4:17).