Lexical Summary charah: To be hot, to burn, to be angry, to be kindled Original Word: חָרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be angry, burn, be displeased, earnestly, fret self, grieve, be wax hot, be incensed, A primitive root (compare charar); 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 tacharah. see HEBREW charar see HEBREW tacharah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to burn or be kindled with anger NASB Translation angered (1), angry (18), angry* (5), became (1), became angry (4), became furious (1), became...angry (3), burn (5), burned (29), burns (1), compete (1), competing (1), distressed (1), fret (4), kindled (15), rage (1), very angry (1), zealously (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חָרָה verb burn, be kindled, of anger (Aramaic חרי Pa`el cause, fire to burn (rare); Zinjirli חרא anger, NöZMG 1893, 98. 103; Arabic  burning sensation, in throat, etc., from rage and pain) — Qal Perfect ׳ח Genesis 4:6 20t.; Imperfect יֶחֱרֶה Exodus 32:11 2t.; יִ֫חַר Genesis 18:30 7t.; וַיִּ֫חַר Genesis 4:5 46t.; Infinitive absolute חָרֹה 1 Samuel 20:7; construct חֲרוֺת 2 Samuel 24:1; Psalm 124:3; — 1 of man: a. חרה אף (one's) anger was kindled, burned Genesis 39:19; Numbers 22:27 (J), Exodus 32:19,22 (JE), Judges 9:30; Judges 14:19; 1 Samuel 11:6; Job 32:2,5; with בְּ against Genesis 30:2 (E), Genesis 44:18 (J), 1 Samuel 17:28; 1 Samuel 20:30; 2 Samuel 12:5; 2Chronicles 25:10; Psalm 124:3; Job 32:2,3; with אֶל Numbers 24:10 (E). b. impersonal, אף omitted; חרה לְ it was kindled for (him) he burned with anger Genesis 31:36 (E), Genesis 4:5,6; Genesis 34:7; Numbers 16:15 (J), 1 Samuel 15:11 (read perhaps וַיֵּצֶר, Weir in Dr), 1 Samuel 18:8; 1 Samuel 20:7 (twice in verse); 2 Samuel 3:8; 2 Samuel 6:8 = 1 Chronicles 13:11; 2 Samuel 13:21; 2 Samuel 19:43; Nehemiah 3:33; Nehemiah 4:1; Nehemiah 5:6; Jonah 4:1,4,9 (twice in verse); insert ויחר לדוד 2 Samuel 11:22 ᵐ5 We Dr; בְּעֵינֵי ׳ח Genesis 31:35; Genesis 45:5 (E). 2 of God: a. אף ׳ח Exodus 22:23; Numbers 22:22 (E), Numbers 11:1,10; Numbers 32:10 (J); with בְּ Exodus 4:14; Exodus 32:10; Numbers 12:9; Deuteronomy 31:17 (J), Deuteronomy 6:15; Deuteronomy 7:4; Deuteronomy 11:17; Deuteronomy 29:26; Joshua 23:16 (D), Judges 6:39; 2 Samuel 6:7 = 1 Chronicles 13:10; Hosea 8:5; 2 Kings 23:26; 2Chronicles 25:15; Job 42:7; בְּעַם Exodus 32:11; Numbers 11:33 (J), Isaiah 5:25; Psalm 106:40; בישׂראל Numbers 25:3; Numbers 32:13 (JE); Judges 2:14,20; Judges 3:8; Judges 10:7; 2 Samuel 24:1; 2 Kings 13:3; בבני ישׂראל Joshua 7:1 (R); בנהרים, אף omitted, Habakkuk 3:8; with עַל Zechariah 10:3. b. חרה לְ Genesis 18:30,32 (J) 2 Samuel 22:8 = Psalm 18:8. — Note: חרה not in HP (who use קצף); nor in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isa2, Proverbs or poetry of Job. Niph`al Perfect נִחֲרוּֿ followed by בְּ Songs 1:6 (according to Böii. 379 De Kö1. 551) be angry with; Participle ׳כֹּל הַנֶּחֱרִים בְּ all that are incensed against (thee) Isaiah 41:11, so Isaiah 45:24. Hiph`il Perfect הֶחֱרָה הֶחֱזִיק Nehemiah 3:20 burned with zeal (?) in repairing, but ᵐ5 omit החרה; probably dittograph; Imperfect וַיַּחַר עָלַי אַמּוֺ Job 19:11 and kindled his anger against me. Hithpa`el Imperfect אַל תִּתְחַר Psalm 37:1; Psalm 37:7; Psalm 37:8; Proverbs 24:19 heat oneself in vexation. — The following forms are somewhat dubious: Imperfect2masculine singular אֵיךְ תְּתַחֲרֶה אֶתהַֿסּוּסִים Jeremiah 12:5 how canst thou hotly contend (in a race) with the horses ? Participle כִּי אַתָּה מְתַחֲרֶה בָאָ֑רֶז Jeremiah 22:15 because thou strivest eagerly (to excel) in cedar; explained as Tiph`el by Thes Ges§ 55, 5 Ew§ 122 a Ol§ 255 a Sta§ 159 b Köi. p. 557 and others, and regarded by most as a rare causative stem; but ag. existence of Tiph`el see BaNB § 180 a; ZMG 1894, 20; Ba regards the form as denominative (from a noun formed by ת preform., compare Aramaic Topical Lexicon Scope and DistributionThe verb חָרָה appears roughly ninety times across the Old Testament, spanning every major literary genre. It is especially prominent in Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, Psalms, Job, Jeremiah, and Jonah. Its contexts unify around the imagery of heat that flares up—most often describing anger, but at times pointing more broadly to intense indignation or grief. Divine Anger Expressed 1. Against idolatry and covenant infidelity God’s wrath is never capricious; it erupts when His holiness and covenant love are scorned. The recurring pattern—sin, divine burning, pleading intercession, and merciful restraint—reveals both His justice and His steadfast love. 2. In defense of the oppressed The verb underscores God’s solidarity with the marginalized. His “burning” becomes a warning that social injustice invites judgment. 3. As a pedagogical tool Israel’s wilderness accounts show that God’s anger disciplines His people, aiming at their maturity and obedience. 4. Foreshadowing eschatological judgment Prophets use חָרָה to anticipate the day when divine wrath will consume unrepentant evil, pushing the audience toward repentance and hope. Human Anger: Righteous and Unrighteous 1. Righteous indignation Spirit-energized anger can mobilize God’s people to confront evil. 2. Unchecked or selfish anger When human anger is detached from God’s character, it leads to murder, bitterness, or folly. 3. Transformative lament Nehemiah’s “burning” moves him from indignation to righteous reforms, modeling constructive use of strong emotion. Covenant Contexts Throughout Deuteronomy and the Former Prophets, חָרָה frames the blessings-and-curses structure. Israel’s obedience cools divine wrath (Deuteronomy 13:17); covenant breach ignites it (Joshua 7:1). Thus the verb becomes a barometer of covenant health. Prophetic Literature Prophets employ vivid metaphors—smoke from nostrils (Isaiah 65:5), fire of jealousy (Ezekiel 36:5)—to portray חָרָה. Yet they also announce its reversal through atonement (Isaiah 12:1) and the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:34), preparing hearts for the Messiah who absorbs wrath. Wisdom Literature Job, Psalms, and Proverbs acknowledge divine burning yet counsel restraint for humans. The wise recognize that only God may perfectly exercise burning indignation. Historical Narratives 1. Genesis: Cain (4:5), Abraham’s servant (18:30), and Esau (27:45) illustrate relational fracture. Spiritual Lessons for the Church • God’s wrath is personal, holy, and purposeful—never arbitrary. Christological Fulfillment and New Testament Echoes While חָרָה itself is Hebrew, its thematic substance resonates in the New Testament revelation of God’s wrath poured out on Christ (Romans 3:25) and restrained toward believers. The cross satisfies the “burning” of divine justice, opening the way for peace. Pastoral Application • Preaching: Use narratives of חָרָה to call for repentance and to magnify grace. Key References for Further Study Genesis 4:5; Genesis 18:30; Exodus 4:14; Exodus 32:10-14; Numbers 11:1; Deuteronomy 6:15; Judges 2:14; 1 Samuel 11:6; 2 Samuel 6:8; 1 Kings 11:9; 2 Kings 17:18; Psalm 2:12; Psalm 37:8; Isaiah 5:25; Jeremiah 44:6; Jonah 4:1. Forms and Transliterations בַּחֲר֖וֹת בחרות הֶחֱרָ֧ה הַנֶּחֱרִ֣ים הַנֶּחֱרִ֥ים החרה הנחרים וְחָרָ֣ה וְחָרָ֤ה וְחָרָ֨ה וְיִֽחַר־ וַיִּ֖חַר וַיִּ֙חַר֙ וַיִּ֣חַר וַיִּ֤חַר וַיִּ֥חַר וַיִּ֨חַר וַיִּֽחַר וַיִּֽחַר־ וַיִּחַר֩ וַיַּ֣חַר וחרה ויחר ויחר־ חָ֣רָה חָ֥רָה חָֽרָה־ חָרָ֣ה חָרָ֥ה חָרָ֨ה חָרָ֪ה חָרָֽה־ חָרָה֩ חָרֹ֤ה חרה חרה־ יִ֙חַר֙ יִ֤חַר יִ֥חַר יֶ֠חֱרֶה יֶֽחֱרֶה֙ יֶחֱרֶ֤ה יחר יחרה לַחֲר֖וֹת לחרות תִּ֝תְחַ֗ר תִּ֭תְחַר תִּתְחַ֥ר תתחר ba·ḥă·rō·wṯ bachaRot baḥărōwṯ Charah chaRoh ḥā·rāh ḥā·rāh- ḥā·rōh han·ne·ḥĕ·rîm hannecheRim hanneḥĕrîm ḥārāh ḥārāh- ḥārōh he·ḥĕ·rāh hecheRah heḥĕrāh la·ḥă·rō·wṯ lachaRot laḥărōwṯ tiṯ·ḥar titChar tiṯḥar vaiYachar vaiYichar vechaRah veyichar way·ya·ḥar way·yi·ḥar way·yi·ḥar- wayyaḥar wayyiḥar wayyiḥar- wə·ḥā·rāh wə·yi·ḥar- wəḥārāh wəyiḥar- ye·ḥĕ·reh yecheReh yeḥĕreh yi·ḥar Yichar yiḥarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 4:5 HEB: לֹ֣א שָׁעָ֑ה וַיִּ֤חַר לְקַ֙יִן֙ מְאֹ֔ד NAS: regard. So Cain became very angry KJV: was very wroth, and his countenance INT: no had became Cain very Genesis 4:6 Genesis 18:30 Genesis 18:32 Genesis 30:2 Genesis 31:35 Genesis 31:36 Genesis 34:7 Genesis 39:19 Genesis 44:18 Genesis 45:5 Exodus 4:14 Exodus 22:24 Exodus 32:10 Exodus 32:11 Exodus 32:19 Exodus 32:22 Numbers 11:1 Numbers 11:10 Numbers 11:33 Numbers 12:9 Numbers 16:15 Numbers 22:22 Numbers 22:27 Numbers 24:10 90 Occurrences |
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contention); SS would point as Hithpa`el [compare Syriac 
contend with, 
contention], although meaning of Hithpa`el is different, see above