Psalms 124:3 — Word Study
WLCאֲ֭זַי חַיִּ֣ים בְּלָע֑וּנוּ בַּחֲר֖וֹת אַפָּ֣ם בָּֽנוּ׃
BSAwhen their angerʼaph [wrath, fierce emotion] flaredchârâh [was kindled, burned intensely] thenʼăzay they would have swallowed usbâlaʻ■ [consumed, destroyed completely] ◂alivechay [while still living, in the heat of their wrath]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֲ֭זַי | then | Adverb |
| חַיִּ֣ים | alive | Adj |
| בְּלָע֑וּנוּ | they had swallowed up us | Verb qal perfect third person common plural, suffix |
| בַּחֲר֖וֹת | when burned | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| אַפָּ֣ם | anger their | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| בָּֽנוּ׃ | on us | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, |
| KJV | Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: |
| ASV | Then they had swallowed us up alive, When their wrath was kindled against us: |
| YLT | Then alive they had swallowed us up, In the burning of their anger against us, |
| WEB | then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us, |
| BBE | They would have made a meal of us while still living, in the heat of their wrath against us: |
Where they part company is חַיִּ֣ים — see How Translations Differ.
The verse contains a main clause with two adverbial phrases that provide context for the action described.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 124:3
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Song of Ascentsgenerated
Psalm 124:3 reflects on the peril faced by the people of Israel when their enemies rose against them, expressing gratitude for God's intervention. The psalmist emphasizes that without divine aid, they would have been utterly destroyed, highlighting the theme of reliance on God in times of trouble. This psalm is a communal acknowledgment of God's faithfulness and protection, resonating with similar sentiments found in Psalm 27:2 and Psalm 35:25.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 27:2 | When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell. |
| 2 | Psalm 35:25 | Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha, just what we wanted!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up!” |
| 3 | Psalm 56:1–2 | Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. |
| 4 | Psalm 57:3 | He reaches down from heaven and saves me; He rebukes those who trample me. Selah God sends forth His loving devotion and His truth. |
| 5 | Psalm 74:8 | They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely.” They burned down every place where God met us in the land. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 16 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בְּלָע֑וּנוּ, be.la.'U.nugenerated
The verb בָּלַע (bala) means to swallow or engulf completely, conveying a sense of total consumption. It is used here in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action in the past, suggesting that the enemies would have fully devoured the psalmist and the people if not for God's intervention.
This verb is often associated with destruction in the Bible, illustrating the severity of the threat they faced. The imagery of being swallowed alive evokes a vivid picture of danger and urgency, emphasizing the need for divine protection.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the word swallowed, aligning with the KJV and ASV that also convey the sense of being consumed.
Where translations differ is in the rendering of חַיִּ֣ים. The BSB and several other versions keep it simple with alive, while the BBE adds the phrase in the heat of their wrath, which introduces an additional nuance to the context of being alive during the fierce anger of their enemies.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the verb בְּלָע֑וּנוּ, they would have swallowed us, with two adverbial phrases modifying it: one indicating the condition of their anger and the other describing the state of being alive. The structure emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between the enemies' anger and the potential outcome for the psalmist and the people.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the action of swallowing, followed by the conditions of anger and being alive, which highlights the immediacy of the threat faced.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates בְּלָע֑וּנוּ as ἡμᾶς, meaning us, which retains the focus on the people being targeted. This choice shows a direct correspondence to the Hebrew, maintaining the sense of vulnerability in the face of aggression.
The Greek rendering does not elaborate on the act of swallowing but preserves the essence of the threat, emphasizing the collective experience of the community.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 124:3 describes a time when the people faced great anger from their enemies. The psalmist expresses that if the Lord had not been on their side, they would have been completely consumed. This verse highlights the importance of God's protection in times of danger.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This phrase indicates that the enemies posed a serious threat, capable of completely destroying the people, highlighting the intensity of the danger they faced.
The psalmist underscores the importance of God's protection, suggesting that without it, they would have faced utter destruction.
The verse conveys feelings of danger, urgency, and gratitude for divine intervention, reflecting the psalmist's acknowledgment of God's faithfulness.
This verse contributes to the theme of reliance on God, showcasing how His presence protects the community from overwhelming threats.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what situations have I felt the need for God's protection in my own life?
- How can I remind myself of God's faithfulness during difficult times?
- What does it mean for me to rely on God when facing challenges?
- How can I support others who may be feeling overwhelmed by their circumstances?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 124:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThen they had swallowed us up quick,.... Or "alive"; as the earth swallowed up Korah and his company; or as the fish swallowed up Jonah; or rather as ravenous beasts swallow their prey; to which the allusion is.
Read John Gill on Psalms 124 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick - i:e., alive, as in Psalms 55:15; Proverbs 1:12.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 124 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey had swallowed us up quick; they had speedily and utterly destroyed us, as Korah, &c. were, Numbers 16.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 124 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 124:3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:Ver. 3. Then had they swallowed us up quick] As the great fish do the little ones, as hungry lions, or wolves, ravin up their prey. Ptolemy Lathurus, king of Egypt, slew thirty thousand Jews, and compelled the living to feed upon the dead. Adrian the emperor made a decree, that he who had not slain a Jew should himself be slain (Gualth Praef. in Marc. R. Obad. Gaon in Psalms 124:1-8). When their wrath was kindled against us] Heb. in the flagrancies or inflammations of their anger.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 124 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(3) Then.—Critics are at issue both as to the form and meaning of the word—whether it is an archaism or an aramaism, expressing time or logical sequence. Swallowed . . . quick (alive).—No doubt an allusion to the fall of Korah (Numbers 16:32-33), where the same verb and adjective occur together. (See also Psalms 55:15.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 124 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3. Then had they swallowed us up alive, as the earth swallowed Korah (Numbers 16:30); or as Sheol devours its victims (Proverbs 1:12), or a monster its prey (Jeremiah 51:34). Cp. Psalms 55:15; Lamentations 2:16. when their wrath &c.] Cp. Nehemiah 4:1 : Sanballat “was wroth and exceedingly vexed,” Psalms 4:7 “they were exceedingly wroth.”
Read Cambridge on Psalms 124 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThen they had swallowed us up quick - There was no other help, and ruin - utter ruin - would have soon come upon us.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 124 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible3. Swallowed us up quick—Literally, Swallowed us up alive. The allusion seems to be to Korah and his company, (Numbers 16:30,) “If the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth and swallow
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 124 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive,
then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us,
when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive,
they would have swallowed us alive, when their anger raged against us.
Tyndale line
Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
Then they had swallowed us up alive, When their wrath was kindled against us:
Then they had swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us:
Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
They had then swallowed vs vp quicke, when their wrath was kindled against vs.
Strictly literal
Then they had swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us;
Then alive they had swallowed us up, In the burning of their anger against us,
Then they had swallowed us alive, || In the burning of their anger against us,
Then would they have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;
then they would have swallowed us up alive when their anger raged against us.
From the Latin
For the Lord will not leave the rod of sinners upon the lot of the just: that the just may not stretch forth their hands to iniquity.
Simplified
They would have swallowed us alive when their anger raged against us.
They would have made a meal of us while still living, in the heat of their wrath against us:
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in content, with five out of six words matching. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ, but the essential message of the verse remains consistent across both texts.
אֲ֭זַי חַיִּ֣ים בְּלָע֑וּנוּ בַּחֲר֖וֹת אַפָּ֣ם בָּֽנוּ׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 124:3
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֲזַי (azay) is a Hebrew word that means 'then' or 'in that case.' It is likely a dialectical form of אָז and is derived from a root associated with time. The entries consistently emphasize its use in temporal contexts.
אֲזַי = אָז (prob. a dialectic form) then, in that case
base
H233 אֲזַי
233 'azay az-ah'ee
probably from 227; at that time:--then.
see HEBREW for 0227
אֲזַי (a.zay) — in that case.
then, in that case
Adv — AdverbHD
The Hebrew word חַי (*chay*) means 'alive' or 'living' and covers a range of meanings related to life, including living beings, vitality, and freshness. It can refer to God, animals, vegetation, and even concepts like appetite and community. Variants include חַיָּה (*chayyah*), meaning 'living thing' or 'animal,' and חַיִּים (*chayim*), which emphasizes life and sustenance.
חַי adj. alive, living
of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
of man
of animals, alive, living
animals and man
(dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
of water, fresh
(dub.) lively, active
reviving
base
[חַי] n.[m.] kinsfolk, pl. sf. 1 S 18:18
ref
חַיָּה n.f. living thing, animal
animal
in general
wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
living beings, of the cherubic chariot
life, only in late poetry
appetite, activity of hunger
revival, renewal
base
חַיָּה n.f. community
base
חַיִּים n.m. pl. abstr. emph. life
life: physical
life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
sustenance, maintenance
base
H2416a חַי alive, living . . of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
. of man
. of animals, alive, living
. animals and man
. (dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
. of water, fresh
. (dub.) lively, active
. reviving
H2416b חַי kinsfolk H2416c חַיָּה living thing, animal . animal . in general
. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
. living beings, of the cherubic chariot
. life, only in late poetry
. appetite, activity of hunger
. revival, renewal
H2416d חַיָּה community H2416e חַיִּים pl. abstr. emph. life . life: physical
. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
. sustenance, maintenance
2416 chay khah'-ee
from 2421; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water,
year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine
singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether
literally or figuratively:--+ age, alive, appetite, (wild)
beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living
(creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be)
old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.
see HEBREW for 02421
חַי (chay) — alive.
adj
1) living, alive
1a) green (of vegetation)
1b) flowing, fresh (of water)
1c) lively, active (of man)
1d) reviving (of the springtime)
Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
חַי (chay) — kinsfolk.
kinsfolk
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — living thing.
1) living thing, animal
1a) animal
1b) life
1c) appetite
1d) revival, renewal
Aramaic equivalent: che.va (חֵיוָא "beast" H2423)
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — community.
community
חַיִּים (chay.yim) — life.
1) life (abstract emphatic)
1a) life
1b) sustenance, maintenance
Adj — AdjHAampa
a-liv' (chai, "living"; zao, "to live," anazao, "to live again"): These Hebrew and Greek originals are the chief terms for life in both Testaments. They cover all life, including soul and spirit, although primarily referring to physical vitality. Striking examples may be cited: "Is your father yet alive?" (Ge 43:7); "To whom he also showed himself alive" (Ac 1:3). Often used of God: "the living God" (Jos 3:10); also of the resurrection life: "In Christ shall all be made alive" (1Co 15:22); of the soul's regenerate life: "Reckon .... yourselves .... alive unto God," "as those that are alive from the dead" (Ro 6:11:13 the…
בָּלַע (bala) is a Hebrew verb meaning to swallow down or engulf. It encompasses various forms, including actions of devouring and being consumed, as well as figurative uses like squandering. The entries indicate that it can be used in different grammatical aspects, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, and Hithpael, each with slightly different nuances.
בָּלַע vb. swallow down, swallow up, engulf
Qal
swallow down
swallow up, engulf
Niph. swallowed up, i.e. devastated
Pi.
swallow
swallow up, engulf
Pu. be swallowed up
Hithp. their wisdom is all gone, ‘they are at their wit’s end’
base
H1104 בָּלַע swallow down, swallow up, engulf
1104 bala` baw-lah'
a primitive root; to make away with (specifically by
swallowing); generally, to destroy:--cover, destroy, devour,
eat up, be at end, spend up, swallow down (up).
בָּלַע (ba.la) — to swallow up.
1) to swallow down, swallow up, engulf, eat up
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to swallow down
1a2) to swallow up, engulf
1b) (Niphal) to be swallowed up
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to swallow
1c2) to swallow up, engulf
1c3) squandering (fig.)
1d) (Pual) to be swallowed up
1e) (Hithpael) to be ended
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffixHVqp3cp/Sp1bp
US, pronoun objective case of we.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Us , pron. [OE. us, AS. s; akin to OFries. & OS. s, D. ons, G. uns, Icel. & Sw. oss, Dan. os, Goth. uns, L. nos we, us, Gr. we, Skr. nas us. . Cf. Nostrum, Our.] The persons speaking, regarded as an object; ourselves; — the objective case of we. See We. “Tell us a tale.” Chaucer.
Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. vi. 11.
Us, pron. oblique case of we
חָרָה (charah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to burn or be kindled, particularly in the context of anger or zeal. It encompasses various forms, including to glow, grow warm, or become incensed. The entries indicate its use in different stems, such as Qal (to burn), Niphal (to be angry), and Hiphil (to kindle). The lexicons do not present significant disagreement.
חָרָה vb. burn, be kindled, of anger
Qal
of man
of God
Niph. be angry with
Hiph. burned with zeal (?) in repairing; and kindled his anger against me
Hithp. heat oneself in vexation.—The foll. forms are somewhat dub.: how canst thou hotly contend (in a race) with the horses?; because thou strivest eagerly (to excel) in cedar
base
H2734 חָרָה burn, be kindled, of anger
2734 charah khaw-raw'
a primitive root (compare 2787); to glow or grow warm;
figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal,
jealousy:--be angry, burn, be displeased, X earnestly, fret
self, grieve, be (wax) hot, be incensed, kindle, X very, be
wroth. See 8474.
see HEBREW for 02787
see HEBREW for 08474
חָרָה (cha.rah) — to be incensed.
1) to be hot, furious, burn, becomeangry, be kindled
1a) (Qal) to burn, kindle (anger)
1b) (Niphal) to be angry with, be incensed
1c) (Hiphil) to burn, kindle
1d) (Hithpael) to heat oneself in vexation
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
The Hebrew word אַף (aph) primarily means nostril or nose, but it also refers to the face and is often associated with anger. It can denote a person's countenance or expressions of ire. The entries highlight its connection to rapid breathing in passionate states, indicating its use in contexts of anger or wrath.
אַף 277 n.m. nostril, nose, face, anger
nostril, as organ of breathing
Dn. face
mostly anger
base
H639 אַף nostril, nose, face, anger
639 'aph af
from 599; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and
occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in
passion) ire:--anger(-gry), + before, countenance, face, +
forebearing, forehead, + (long-)suffering, nose, nostril,
snout, X worthy, wrath.
see HEBREW for 0599
אַף (aph) — face: anger.
: anger
1) nostril, nose, face
2) anger
אַף (aph) — face: nose.
: nose
1) nostril, nose, face
2) anger
אַף (aph) — face.
: face
1) nostril, nose, face
2) anger
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3mp
נוּ (nu) — us.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person plural
HR/Sp1bp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bp
US, pronoun objective case of we.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Us , pron. [OE. us, AS. s; akin to OFries. & OS. s, D. ons, G. uns, Icel. & Sw. oss, Dan. os, Goth. uns, L. nos we, us, Gr. we, Skr. nas us. . Cf. Nostrum, Our.] The persons speaking, regarded as an object; ourselves; — the objective case of we. See We. “Tell us a tale.” Chaucer.
Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. vi. 11.
Us, pron. oblique case of we