Lexical Summary yachar: To be precious, to be esteemed, to be valuable Original Word: יָחַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tarry longer A primitive root; to delay -- tarry longer. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as achar, q.v. Topical Lexicon Root Meaning and Conceptual Parallels יָחַר (yachar) is an unused verbal root whose core idea is “to grow hot, be incensed, burn with anger.” Although no biblical verse employs the verb itself, Scripture regularly conveys the same “heated” indignation through cognate roots such as חָרָה (charah, “to burn with anger”; e.g., Jonah 4:1) and the noun חֲרוֹן (charon, “burning wrath”; Exodus 32:10). Together these terms paint a vivid picture of anger as a rising internal heat that must either be righteously expressed or restrained lest it consume the offender. Anger in the Divine Character 1. Righteous, measured, and purposeful: “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). God’s anger never boils over capriciously; it is provoked by covenant violation and functions to vindicate holiness and protect the oppressed. Righteous Indignation in the Covenant Community When believers reflect God’s character, anger can be a force for justice. Moses’ anger at Israel’s idolatry (Exodus 32:19) or Nehemiah’s indignation over exploitation (Nehemiah 5:6–7) demonstrate zeal for God’s honor and neighbor’s welfare. Such anger is marked by: Warnings Against Sinful Anger Because fallen hearts easily distort anger, Scripture repeatedly cautions: Unchecked heat leads to murder (Genesis 4:5–8), bitterness (Ephesians 4:31), and alienation (Matthew 5:22). Thus, Exodus 22:24 and Deuteronomy 32:22 link “burning” wrath to consuming judgment, warning that what scorches inside eventually devours outwardly. Christological Fulfillment Jesus embodies perfect indignation. His cleansing of the temple (John 2:13–17) fulfills Psalm 69:9, demonstrating zeal unmarred by sin. At the cross, the righteous heat of God’s wrath against sin is poured out on the Son (Isaiah 53:5–6; Romans 3:25), satisfying justice and opening a path of peace for believers who once were “objects of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). Pastoral and Discipleship Implications • Ephesians 4:26–27: “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Anger itself is not forbidden; sinning in anger is. Believers must process indignation promptly lest the devil gain a foothold. Practical steps include confession, seeking reconciliation (Matthew 5:23–24), and meditating on God’s patience. Eschatological Expectation Revelation portrays a final outpouring of divine heat: “They were scorched by the intense heat, and they cursed the name of God” (Revelation 16:9). The Lake of Fire represents wrath’s climactic expression toward unrepentant wickedness, underscoring the urgent call to “flee from the coming wrath” (Matthew 3:7). Key Related Passages for Study and Preaching Exodus 32:9–14; Numbers 25:11; Deuteronomy 29:24–28; 1 Samuel 11:6; Psalm 7:11; Proverbs 16:32; Jonah 4:1–9; Mark 3:5; Romans 12:19; 1 Peter 2:23. Together these texts reveal how the biblical motif of “burning” anger—inferred from יָחַר—calls God’s people to revere His holiness, emulate His patience, and channel indignation toward righteous ends. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance ye·ḥĕ·maṯ·nî — 1 Occ.yi·ḥam — 1 Occ. wə·yaḥ·mūr — 2 Occ. wə·yaḥ·may — 1 Occ. mî·yā·ḥêp̄ — 1 Occ. wə·yā·ḥêp̄ — 3 Occ. yā·ḥêp̄ — 1 Occ. lə·yaḥ·ṣə·’êl — 1 Occ. yaḥ·ṣə·’êl — 1 Occ. hay·yaḥ·ṣə·’ê·lî — 1 Occ. bə·hiṯ·ya·ḥêś — 1 Occ. ham·miṯ·yaḥ·śîm — 2 Occ. hiṯ·ya·ḥêś — 2 Occ. hiṯ·yaḥ·śām — 3 Occ. hiṯ·yaḥ·śū — 2 Occ. lə·hiṯ·ya·ḥêś — 3 Occ. wə·hiṯ·yaḥ·śām — 5 Occ. hay·ya·ḥaś — 1 Occ. hiṯ·ya·ḥêś — 1 Occ. ū·lə·hiṯ·ya·ḥêś — 1 Occ. |
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