Psalm 78/Notes/Phrasal.v. 19.896591
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
v. 19 – The function of בְּ in וַֽיְדַבְּר֗וּ בֵּֽאלֹ֫הִ֥ים is one of social contact (BHRG §39.6.1.b.iii), while both וְ֭אֵשׁ נִשְּׂקָ֣ה בְיַעֲקֹ֑ב and אַ֝֗ף עָלָ֥ה בְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל (see v. 21) are material contact (BHRG §39.6.1.b.i), though all malefactive, "against."