Lexical Summary zaaph: To be angry, to be enraged, to storm Original Word: זַעַף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance indignation, raging, wrath From za'aph; anger -- indignation, rage(-ing), wrath. see HEBREW za'aph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom zaaph Definition a storming, raging, rage NASB Translation enraged (1), fierce (1), indignation (1), rage (1), raging (1), wrath (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs זַ֫עַף noun masculine storming, raging, rage (in poetry and late) — ׳ז absolute 2 Chronicles 16:10; 28:9; construct Isaiah 30:30 2t.; suffix זַעְמּוֺ Jonah 1:15; — 1 rage of king, leading to violence Proverbs 19:12 ("" נַהַם כַּכְּפִיר), 2 Chronicles 16:10 (עִמּוֺ עַלזֿאת ׳בְּ; "" כעס), 2 Chronicles 28:9; אַף ׳ז Isaiah 30:30 raging of anger (of ׳י); ׳י ׳ז Micah 7:9. 2 raging of sea Jonah 1:15. Topical Lexicon Concept Overview זַעַף portrays violent agitation that may surge within human hearts, boil up in nations, roar through natural forces, or blaze forth from the holy presence of God. Scripture presents it as a turbulent force that cannot be ignored; it demands either repentance or relief granted by divine mercy. Occurrences and Narrative Contexts • 2 Chronicles 16:10 – King Asa, confronted by the prophet Hanani, “was enraged at him,” and his unchecked anger resulted in political oppression. זַעַף here exposes how personal pride can escalate into systemic injustice. Divine and Human Anger in Contrast Human זַעַף often stems from selfishness and leads to oppression or violence. In Kings and Chronicles it corrodes leadership; in the Wisdom books it endangers subjects. By contrast, divine זַעַף is perfectly just, always tethered to covenant faithfulness. It protects the oppressed (Isaiah 30) and shepherds the repentant (Micah 7). Storm Imagery and Covenant Warning Isaiah and Jonah link זַעַף with literal storms. The motif recalls Sinai’s thunder and anticipates eschatological judgment: the Sovereign who calms the sea (Jonah) will one day still all cosmic rebellion (Revelation 21:1). Every tempest is a vivid sermon on the need for reconciliation with God. Pastoral and Discipleship Applications 1. Self-examination – Asa’s prison cells warn ministers and congregations alike: indignation against correction betrays hidden idolatry. Christological and Eschatological Resonance At the cross divine זַעַף met divine love; wrath fell on the sin-bearer so that raging hostility between God and humanity might cease (Romans 5:10). When Jesus stilled the Galilean storm, He enacted on a smaller scale the cosmic reconciliation His atonement secures. The final vision of a sea “as smooth as glass” anticipates a consummation in which every manifestation of זַעַף—human or elemental—is forever pacified under the reign of the Lamb. Summary for Ministry זַעַף challenges leaders to govern humbly, calls sinners to swift repentance, comforts the afflicted with the promise of vindication, and magnifies the gospel by highlighting the greatness of the salvation that delivers from wrath to peace. Forms and Transliterations בְּזַ֣עַף בְזַ֔עַף בְזַ֥עַף בזעף זַ֣עַף זַ֤עַף זעף מִזַּעְפּֽוֹ׃ מזעפו׃ bə·za·‘ap̄ ḇə·za·‘ap̄ bəza‘ap̄ ḇəza‘ap̄ beZaaf miz·za‘·pōw mizza‘pōw mizzaPo veZaaf za‘ap̄ za·‘ap̄ ZaafLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 16:10 HEB: הַמַּהְפֶּ֔כֶת כִּֽי־ בְזַ֥עַף עִמּ֖וֹ עַל־ NAS: him in prison, for he was enraged at him for this. KJV: house; for [he was] in a rage with him because of this [thing]. And Asa INT: A prison for was enraged with and 2 Chronicles 28:9 Proverbs 19:12 Isaiah 30:30 Jonah 1:15 Micah 7:9 6 Occurrences |
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