Psalms 78:63 — Word Study
WLCבַּחוּרָ֥יו אָֽכְלָה־ אֵ֑שׁ וּ֝בְתוּלֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א הוּלָּֽלוּ׃
BSAFireʼêsh [devouring, consuming] consumedʼâkal■ His young menbâchûwr [chosen, select individuals] and their maidensbᵉthûwlâh [virgins, brides] were left withoutlôʼ [lacking, absent] wedding songshâlal■ [marriage praise, celebration]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בַּחוּרָ֥יו | young men its | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| אָֽכְלָה־ | it consumed | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| אֵ֑שׁ | fire | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| וּ֝בְתוּלֹתָ֗יו | and young women its | Conjunction, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| לֹ֣א | not | Particle |
| הוּלָּֽלוּ׃ | they were praised | Verb, Pual, perfect third person common plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Fire consumed His young men, and their maidens were left without wedding songs. |
| KJV | The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage. |
| ASV | Fire devoured their young men; And their virgins had no marriage-song. |
| YLT | His young men hath fire consumed, And His virgins have not been praised. |
| WEB | Fire devoured their young men. Their virgins had no wedding song. |
| BBE | Their young men were burned in the fire; and their virgins were not praised in the bride-song. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of אָֽכְלָה־ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a conjunction and two subordinate clauses, emphasizing the tragic outcome of the event.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֵשׁ
verbאָכַל
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 78:63
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 — The Consequences of Disobediencegenerated
Psalm 78:63 reflects on a time of judgment when God's anger led to destruction among His people. The fire that consumed the young men symbolizes the severe consequences of turning away from God, while the absence of wedding songs among the maidens highlights the loss of joy and celebration in the community. This passage serves as a reminder of the seriousness of disobedience and its impact on the people of Israel, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 78:21 | Therefore the LORD heard and was filled with wrath; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and His anger flared against Israel, |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 29:20 | The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 32:22 | For a fire has been kindled by My anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol; it consumes the earth and its produce, and scorches the foundations of the mountains. |
| 4 | Isaiah 4:1 | In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own bread and provide our own clothes. Just let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!” |
| 5 | Jeremiah 7:34 | I will remove from the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sounds of joy and gladness and the voices of the bride and bridegroom, for the land will become a wasteland.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בַּחוּרָ֥יו, ba.chu.Ravgenerated
The word בַּחוּרָ֥יו (ba.chu.Rav) is a noun in the plural form, indicating 'young men' and often implying a select group. It emphasizes youthfulness and selection, suggesting these individuals were chosen for a specific purpose or role, such as soldiers in battle.
In this verse, it conveys the tragic loss of these chosen young men due to divine judgment. The context of the psalm indicates that their destruction has significant implications for the community, as they were likely vital members of society.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses consumed for אָֽכְלָה־ and left without for לֹ֣א.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains two main clauses connected by the conjunction 'and'. The finite verb אָֽכְלָה־ (it consumed) governs the first clause, with אֵ֑שׁ (fire) as the subject. The second clause describes the state of the maidens, introduced by וּ֝בְתוּלֹתָ֗יו (and their maidens) and concludes with לֹ֣א (not) and הוּלָּֽלוּ (they were praised).
This structure highlights the contrast between the destruction of the young men and the sorrow of the maidens, emphasizing the overall tragedy of the situation.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אָֽכְלָה־ as κατέφαγεν (katēphagen), which means 'devoured.' This choice reflects a strong emphasis on the totality of destruction, aligning with the Hebrew meaning.
The Greek word אֵשׁ is rendered as πῦρ (pur), which maintains the literal sense of 'fire.' This consistency underscores the severity of the judgment described in the verse.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 78:63 describes how fire consumed the young men of Israel, indicating a time of judgment from God. The maidens were left without wedding songs, signifying a loss of joy and celebration in the community due to this destruction.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The fire symbolizes God's judgment and the destruction that results from disobedience.
The absence of wedding songs indicates a loss of joy and celebration, reflecting the sorrow of the community after the destruction of the young men.
This verse teaches that God's anger can lead to severe consequences, impacting not just individuals but the entire community.
Psalm 78 recounts the history of Israel's disobedience and God's responses, illustrating the cycle of sin and judgment throughout their history.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see the consequences of disobedience in my own life or community?
- How can I cultivate joy and celebration in my life, even in difficult circumstances?
- What does this verse teach me about the seriousness of God's judgment?
- How can I better understand and appreciate the history of God's dealings with His people as described in Psalm 78?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 78:63 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe fire consumed their young men,.... Not Nadab and Abihu, as some of the Jewish Rabbins interpret it, of which Jarchi makes mention; but the young men, the choice, the flower, of the Israelitish
Read John Gill on Psalms 78 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryYet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies: -Israel's unfaithfulness in the time of the Judges caused God to forsake the tabernacle of Shiloh, and brought down other sore judgments. Verse 56.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 78 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBecause the young men who should have married them were slain. Heb. were not praised, to wit, with marriage songs, which was usual at marriage solemnities among the Jews, as appears from 16:9 25:10.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 78 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 78:63 The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.Ver. 63. The fire consumed] The fire of warlike force, which quickly licketh up all, and layeth waste. And their maidens were not given in marriage] Heb. praised, as they were wont to be at their weddings with nuptial songs, and epithalamia , which the Hebrews call Hillulim, and the bridechamber, Beth-halulah, the house of praise.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 78 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(63) Were not given.—See margin. The desolation and misery were marked by the absence of the glad nuptial song.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 78 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 63. Their maidens were not given to marriage.] הוללו hullalu, were not celebrated with marriage songs. It is considered a calamity in the east if a maiden arrives at the age of twelve years without being sought or given in marriage.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 78 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges63. Fire devoured their young men; And their maidens had no marriage song. (R.V.) The fire of war (Numbers 21:28) consumed the young men, so that the maidens remained unmarried.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 78 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe fire consumed their young men - Fire here may be regarded as an image of destructive war, as in Numbers 21:28 : “For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab,” etc.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 78 →The verse in English, compared — 16 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
Fire consumed His young men, and their maidens were left without wedding songs.
Fire devoured their young men. Their virgins had no wedding song.
Fire consumed His young men, and their maidens were left without wedding songs.
Fire consumed their young men, and their virgins remained unmarried.
Tyndale line
The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
Fire devoured their young men; And their virgins had no marriage-song.
Fire devoured their young men; and their maidens had no marriage-song.
The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.
The fire deuoured their chosen men, and their maides were not praised.
Strictly literal
The fire consumed their young men, and their maidens were not praised in [nuptial] song;
His young men hath fire consumed, And His virgins have not been praised.
Fire has consumed His young men, || And His virgins have not been praised.
His young men the fire devoured; and his virgins were not demanded in marriage.
Fire devoured their young men, and their young women had no wedding songs.
Simplified
Their young men were destroyed by fire; their young women had no wedding songs.
Their young men were burned in the fire; and their virgins were not praised in the bride-song.
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 states, "Fire consumed His young men, and their maidens were left without wedding songs," which is rendered in Hebrew as בַּחוּרָ֥יו אָֽכְלָה־ אֵ֑שׁ וּ֝בְתוּלֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א הוּלָּֽלוּ׃. The Septuagint closely aligns with this text, as five of the six words match in their Greek translation, although the exact wording and structure differ due to the nature of the translation. There are no significant differences in meaning between the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint in this verse. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variants for this verse, which further supports the consistency of the text across these witnesses.
בַּחוּרָ֥יו אָֽכְלָה־ אֵ֑שׁ וּ֝בְתוּלֹתָ֗יו לֹ֣א הוּלָּֽלוּ׃
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 78:63
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.
בָּחוּר (bachuwr) refers to a young man or youth, often implying someone who has been selected or chosen. The term appears in contexts that highlight youthfulness, and it is derived from a root meaning 'to select.' It is notably referenced in Isaiah 62:5.
בָּחוּר n.m. young man Is 62:5 7 t.
base
H970 בָּחוּר young man
970 bachuwr baw-khoor'
or bachur {baw-khoor'}; participle passive of 977; properly,
selected, i.e. a youth (often collective):--(choice) young
(man), chosen, X hole.
see HEBREW for 0977
בָּחוּר (ba.chur) — youth.
youth, young man
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
אָכַל (akal) means 'to eat' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including literal consumption by humans and animals, as well as figurative uses like devouring by fire or destruction. It can describe actions such as feeding or causing to eat, and it also appears in contexts of oppression and destruction. The verb has various forms, indicating different subjects and nuances.
אָכַל 806 vb. eat
Qal
eat, human subject
of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour
fig. of fire, devour, consume
of sword, devour, slay
in genl., devour, consume, destroy
fig. of oppression, devour the poor
Niph.
be eaten by man
be devoured by fire, consumed
be wasted, destroyed, of flesh
Pu. be consumed
Hiph.
cause to eat, feed with
cause to devoure, obj. sword
base
H398 אָכַל eat .. eat, human subject
. of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour
. fig. of fire, devour, consume
. of sword, devour, slay
. in genl., devour, consume, destroy
. fig. of oppression, devour the poor
. . be eaten by man
. be devoured by fire, consumed
. be wasted, destroyed, of flesh
. be consumed
. . cause to eat, feed with
. cause to devoure, obj. sword
398 'akal aw-kal'
a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively):--X at
all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up),
feed (with), food, X freely, X in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay)
meat, X quite.
אָכַל (a.khal) — to eat.
1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to eat (human subject)
1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds)
1a3) to devour, consume (of fire)
1a4) to devour, slay (of sword)
1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought)
1a6) to devour (of oppression)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be eaten (by men)
1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire)
1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh)
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to cause to eat, feed with
1c2) to cause to devour
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to feed
1d2) to cause to eat
1e) (Piel)
1e1) consume
Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
אֵשׁ (esh) means 'fire' and encompasses various types, including natural fire, supernatural fire associated with divine appearances, and fire used for cooking or on altars. It can also figuratively represent God's anger. The entries consistently highlight its literal and metaphorical uses, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
אֵשׁ 377 n.f. fire
fire, of conflagration
of supernatural fire
fire for cooking, roasting, parching
esp. of altar fire
fig. of Yahweh's anger
in various combinations
base
H784 אֵשׁ fire . fire, of conflagration
. of supernatural fire
. fire for cooking, roasting, parching
. esp. of altar fire
. fig. of Yahweh's anger
. in various combinations
784 'esh aysh
a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively):--
burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.
אֵשׁ (esh) — fire.
1) fire
1a) fire, flames
1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany)
1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching)
1d) altar-fire
1e) God's anger (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
fir ('esh; pur):
These are the common words for fire, occurring very frequently. 'Ur, "light" (Isa 24:15 the King James Version; compare the Revised Version (British and American); Isa 31:9, and see FIRES), nur (Aramaic) (Da 3:22 ff) are found a few times, also 'eshshah (Jer 6:29), and be`erah (Ex 22:6), once each. Ac 28:2,3 has pura, "pyre," and Mr 14:54; Lu 22:56, phos, "light," the Revised Version (British and American) "in the light (of the fire)." "To set…
Fire
(1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions “fire from heaven” and “fire of the Lord” generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9).
Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called “strange fire” (Lev. 10:1, 2;
is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering, comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many nations of antiquity, and of which the traces are not even now extinct; e.g. the Sabean and Magian systems of worship. (Isaiah 27:9) Fire for sacred purposes obtained elsewhere than from the altar was called "strange fire," and for the use of such Nadab and Abihu were punished…
In Scripture, is often connected with the presence of Jehovah; as in the burning bush, and on Mount Sinai, Ex 3:2 19:18 Ps 18:1-50 Hab 1:1-3:19. The second coming of Christ will be "in flaming fire," 2Th 1:8. In the New Testament it illustrates the enlightening, cheering, and purifying agency of the Holy Spirit, Mt 3:11 Ac 2:3. By sending fire from heaven to consume sacrifices, God often signified his acceptance of them: as in the case of Abel, Ge 4:4; Abraham, Ge…
בְּתוּלָה (bthuwlah) means 'virgin' and is derived from a passive participle of an unused root that suggests separation. It can also refer to a bride and, in a figurative sense, to a city or state. The term appears in contexts related to purity and marital status.
בְּתוּלָה 60 n.f. virgin
base
H1330 בְּתוּלָה virgin
1330 bthuwlah beth-oo-law'
feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to
separate; a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by
continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or
state:--maid, virgin.
בְּתוּלָה (be.tu.lah) — virgin.
virgin
Conj | N-fp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncfpc/Sp3ms
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
The Hebrew word הָלַל (halal) is a primitive root that encompasses meanings related to shining, boasting, and foolishness. It can signify to praise or celebrate, often in a clamorously foolish manner, and includes the idea of making a boast or being made a fool of. The entries indicate a range of uses, from expressing God's favor to acting madly.
[הָלַל] vb. shine
Qal when it, viz. his lamp, shone upon my head, fig. of God’s favour.
Hiph. flash forth light
base
[הָלַל] vb. be boastful, Pi. praise
Qal be boastful
Pi.
praise man or woman
usually praise י׳
appar. boast, make one’s boast
Pu. be praised
Hithpa. glory, boast, make one’s boast
Po‛el make into a fool, make a fool of
Po‛al of laughter I said, It is mad (folly)
Hithpo. act madly, or like a madman
base
H1984a הָלַל shine H1984b הָלַל be boastful, Pi. praise H1984c הָלַל be boastful, Pi. praise .be boastful
. . praise man or woman
. usually praise י׳
. appar. boast, make one’s boast
. be praised
. glory, boast, make one’s boast
.make into a fool, make a fool of
.of laughter I said, It is mad (folly)
. act madly, or like a madman
1984 halal haw-lal'
a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of
color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to
be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate;
also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend,
(deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make,
feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy
of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to shine.
1) to shine
1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour)
1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to boast: praise.
: praise
1) to praise, boast, be boastful
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be boastful
1a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to praise
1b2) to boast, make a boast
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
1d) (Hithpael) to boast, glory, make one's boast
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to be foolish.
1) (Poel) to make a fool of, make into a fool
1f) (Hithpoel) to act madly, act like a madman
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to boast: boast.
: boast
1) to praise, boast, be boastful
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be boastful
1a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to praise
1b2) to boast, make a boast
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
V-Pual-Perf-3cp — Verb · Pual · perfect third person common pluralHVPp3cp
