Lexical Summary aph: Anger, nostril, face Original Word: אַף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance angry, before, countenance, face, forbearing, forehead, longsuffering, nose, From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire -- anger(-gry), + before, countenance, face, + forebearing, forehead, + (long-)suffering, nose, nostril, snout, X worthy, wrath. see HEBREW 'anaph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anaph Definition a nostril, nose, face, anger NASB Translation anger (205), angry (2), angry* (5), before (2), breath (1), countenance (1), double (1), face (15), faces (4), forbearance* (1), ground (1), nose (10), noses (1), nostril (1), nostrils (13), quick-tempered* (1), snout (1), wrath (8), wrath with his anger (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. אַף277 noun masculineGenesis 30:2 nostril, nose, face, anger (Assyrian appu, face Floodiii. 27, 29 compare Hpt KAT2Gloss, Arabic  , Ethiopic  nose; Aramaic  , אֲנְמִּין face) — absolute Psalm 78:21 +; construct Genesis 27:45 +; suffix אַמּי Exodus 22:23 +, etc.; du אַמַּיִם Proverbs 14:17 +; אַמָּיו Genesis 2:7 + etc.; — In Hexateuch J E (Joshua 7:1 P? Joshua 23:16 D?). 1 nostril, as organ of breathing Genesis 2:7; Genesis 7:22; Job 27:3 compare Numbers 11:20; 2 Samuel 22:9 = Psalm 18:9 compare Isaiah 65:5; Isaiah 2:22; Lamentations 4:20; Ezekiel 38:18 (strike out Co) Amos 4:10; רוּחַ אַמֶּיךָ (of ׳י) i.e. wind Exodus 15:8; compare נִשְׁמַת רוּחַ אַמּוֺ 2 Samuel 22:16 = Psalm 18:16 (see also below 3); nose singular Cant 7:5,9; Ezekiel 8:17; Ezekiel 23:25; Proverbs 30:33 (where play upon different meaning of אַף & אַמַּיִם): (a) as organ of smelling Deuteronomy 33:10; Psalm 115:6; (b) as place of ring for ornament Genesis 24:47; Isaiah 3:21; Ezekiel 16:12; (c) as place of ring or hook for captive 2 Kings 19:28 = Isaiah 37:29; for beasts, e.g. swine Proverbs 11:22; hippopotamus Job 40:24; crocodile Job 40:26. 2 Du face (especially in phrase אַמַּיִם אַרְצָה) Genesis 19:1; Genesis 42:6; Genesis 48:12; Numbers 22:31; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 24:9; 1 Samuel 25:41; 1 Samuel 28:14; 2 Samuel 14:4,33; 2 Samuel 18:28; 2 Samuel 24:20; 1 Kings 1:23,31; Isaiah 49:23; 1 Chronicles 21:21; 2Chronicles 7:3; 20:18; Nehemiah 8:6 also Genesis 3:19; גֹּבַהּ אַמּוֺ pride of his countenance Psalm 10:4; לְאַמֵּי before, local sense (compare לִפְנֵי) 1 Samuel 25:23; אַמָּ֑יִם 1 Samuel 1:5 read אֶפֶס ᵐ5 We Dr (q. v.) 3 mostly anger, human Genesis 27:45; Genesis 49:6,7 + (45 t.); oftener divine Exodus 32:12; Deuteronomy 9:19; 2 Kings 24:20 + (177 t.); often subject חָרָה (וַיִּ֫חַר etc.) his anger was kindled Genesis 30:2; Genesis 39:19; Exodus 4:14; Exodus 22:23; Exodus 32:10,11 +; in various combinations, especially חֲרוֺן אַף fierceness of anger Exodus 32:12; Numbers 25:4; Numbers 32:14 +; compare חֳרִיאָֿף 1 Samuel 20:34; בַּעַלאַֿף Proverbs 22:24 one given to anger, etc.; אֶרֶךְ אַמַּיִם slow to anger Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17 7t. of God; Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 16:32; Proverbs 25:15 of man. I. אַף see below אנף. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 639 (אַף, ʾaph) appears about 276 times across the Old Testament. Literally referring to the “nose” or “nostril,” it comes to denote “anger” by the vivid picture of flaring nostrils. The concrete and the figurative meet in a single term that moves seamlessly from the physical act of breathing to the moral issue of wrath, whether divine or human. Literal Usage: Nose, Breath, and Life 1. Seat of Breath and Life. Genesis 2:7 speaks of the breath of life entering Adam’s “nostrils,” establishing a link between ʾaph and God-given vitality. Genesis 7:22 echoes this in the flood narrative where “everything in whose nostrils was the breath of life died.” Job 27:3 alludes to the same theology of dependence: “as long as my breath is in me and the breath of God remains in my nostrils.” Figurative Usage: Anger, Heat, and Passion The blazing of the nose in anger lies behind nearly every non-literal occurrence. The idiom is applied to both God and mankind, yet Scripture makes a sharp distinction between sinful human rage and the righteous indignation of the Lord. Human Anger • Genesis 27:45: “until your brother’s anger subsides.” These texts present anger as a volatile emotion that must be restrained. Wisdom literature repeatedly warns against hasty nostrils that flare without cause (Proverbs 22:24; Ecclesiastes 7:9). Divine Anger Though sharing the same Hebrew word, the anger of the Lord is never capricious. It is covenantal, purposeful, and ultimately redemptive. Divine anger defends holiness, judges rebellion, and protects the integrity of God’s covenant. Yet it is always measured: “He is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion” (Psalm 103:8). Slow to Anger (ʾerek ʾappayim) The frequent description of the LORD as “slow to anger” (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Jonah 4:2; Nahum 1:3) balances the overwhelming testimony to His wrath. The idiom literally reads “long of nostrils,” portraying a God whose anger is deliberately restrained, giving space for repentance. Covenant Context and Prophetic Warnings Breaking covenant provokes ʾaph, not as arbitrary fury but as covenant lawsuit. Judges 2:14 connects Israel’s idolatry with the Lord’s anger: “The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He handed them over to plunderers.” Prophets pick up the theme—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, and Zephaniah—each warning that persistent sin invites the Day of the LORD’s anger (Zephaniah 2:2). Grace and the Turning Away of Anger Repeatedly Scripture links atonement and intercession to the pacifying of divine anger. Moses intercedes (Exodus 32:11); Phinehas’s zeal “turned My anger away” (Numbers 25:11); Psalm 85:3 rejoices, “You turned from Your burning anger.” The pattern anticipates the ultimate propitiation accomplished at the cross, where wrath and mercy converge. Wisdom and Pastoral Applications Believers are commanded to imitate God’s slowness to anger. Proverbs 16:32: “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty.” Ecclesiastes 7:9 urges restraint, and Psalm 4:4 advises, “Be angry, yet do not sin.” The New Testament upholds the theme: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19), echoing the Hebrew concept. Eschatological Dimension The prophets’ portrayal of a climactic “day of His fierce anger” (Isaiah 13:9) culminates in Revelation’s picture of the “wrath of the Lamb” (Revelation 6:16). The Old Testament usage of ʾaph lays the groundwork for understanding the final judgment as righteous and unavoidable for the unrepentant, yet perfectly consistent with God’s covenantal character. Representative Distribution Joshua–Kings 35 Psalms 34 Major Prophets 64 Minor Prophets 32 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther 13 The recurring concentration in narrative and prophetic books underscores ʾaph as a covenant keyword. Key Theological Observations 1. ʾaph unites anthropology (breath) with theology (wrath), reminding readers that the God who grants life also judges sin. Summary Strong’s Hebrew 639 traces a profound arc from the breath in Adam’s nostrils to the blazing anger of the Day of the LORD. In every occurrence, Scripture affirms both God’s righteous indignation against sin and His longsuffering patience, calling His people to repentance, faith, and a mirrored restraint in their own dealings. Forms and Transliterations אַ֔ף אַ֖ף אַ֗ף אַ֛ף אַ֝֗ף אַ֝פְּךָ֗ אַ֝פַּ֗יִם אַ֣ף אַ֤ף אַ֥ף אַ֧ף אַ֨ף אַ֨ף ׀ אַ֫פּ֥וֹ אַ֭ף אַ֭פַּיִם אַ֭פּוֹ אַף֩ אַף־ אַפְּךָ֖ אַפְּךָ֙ אַפִּ֑י אַפִּ֔י אַפִּ֖י אַפִּ֗י אַפִּ֛י אַפִּ֜י אַפִּ֣י אַפִּ֤י אַפִּ֥י אַפִּי֙ אַפֵּ֔ךְ אַפֵּ֖ךְ אַפֵּ֙ינוּ֙ אַפֵּ֤ךְ אַפֵּךְ֙ אַפֶּ֑ךָ אַפֶּ֔ךָ אַפֶּ֙יךָ֙ אַפֶּ֛יהָ אַפֶּֽךָ׃ אַפַּ֖יִם אַפַּ֗יִם אַפַּ֙יִם֙ אַפַּ֛יִם אַפַּ֣יִם אַפַּ֥יִם אַפַּ֨יִם אַפָּ֑יִם אַפָּ֔הּ אַפָּ֖יו אַפָּ֛יו אַפָּ֣ם אַפָּ֤ם אַפָּֽם׃ אַפָּם֙ אַפּ֑וֹ אַפּ֔וֹ אַפּ֖וֹ אַפּ֗וֹ אַפּ֣וֹ אַפּ֤וֹ אַפּֽוֹ׃ אַפּוֹ֙ אָ֑ף אָ֖ף אָֽף׃ אף אף־ אף׃ אפה אפו אפו׃ אפי אפיה אפיו אפיך אפים אפינו אפך אפך׃ אפם אפם׃ בְּ֝אַ֗ף בְּאַ֖ף בְּאַ֗ף בְּאַ֣ף בְּאַ֤ף בְּאַ֥ף בְּאַ֧ף בְּאַ֫פּ֥וֹ בְּאַף֙ בְּאַפְּךָ֖ בְּאַפְּךָ֥ בְּאַפִּ֔י בְּאַפִּ֖י בְּאַפִּ֣י בְּאַפִּ֥י בְּאַפִּֽי׃ בְּאַפֶּ֔ךָ בְּאַפֶּ֗ךָ בְּאַפָּ֖יו בְּאַפָּ֗יו בְּאַפּ֑וֹ בְּאַפּ֔וֹ בְּאַפּ֖וֹ בְּאַפּ֗וֹ בְּאַפּ֣וֹ בְּאַפּ֤וֹ ׀ בְּאַפּֽוֹ׃ בְּאַפּוֹ֮ בְאַפִּ֑י בְאַפִּ֔י בְאַפִּ֖י בְאַפֶּ֑ךָ בְאַפַּ֖יִם בְאַפָּם֙ בְאַפּ֑וֹ בָאַף֙ באף באפו באפו׃ באפי באפי׃ באפיו באפים באפך באפם הָאַ֥ף הָאַף֙ הָאָֽף׃ האף האף׃ וְאַ֤ף וְאַפִּ֔י וְאַפִּ֖י וְאַפּ֔וֹ וּֽבְאַפְּכֶ֔ם וּבְאַ֥ף ואף ואפו ואפי ובאף ובאפכם כְּאַפְּךָ֙ כְּאַפִּ֖י כאפי כאפך לְאַ֫פּ֥וֹ לְאַפִּ֔י לְאַפֵּ֤י לְאַפָּ֖יו לְאַפָּ֥יו לְאַפָּֽיו׃ לאפו לאפי לאפיו לאפיו׃ מֵ֭אַף מֵֽאַפְּכֶ֔ם מאף מאפכם ’ap̄ ’āp̄ ’ap̄- ’ap·pa·yim ’ap·pā·yim ’ap·pāh ’ap·pām ’ap·pāw ’ap·pe·hā ’ap·pe·ḵā ’ap·pə·ḵā ’ap·pê·nū ’ap·pêḵ ’ap·pî ’ap·pōw ’appāh ’appām ’appāw ’appayim ’appāyim ’appehā ’appêḵ ’appeḵā ’appəḵā ’appênū ’appî ’appōw af apPah apPam apPav apPayim appeCh appeCha apPeicha apPeiha apPeinu apPi apPo ḇā’ap̄ ḇā·’ap̄ bə’ap̄ ḇə’appām bə’appāw ḇə’appayim bə’appeḵā bə’appəḵā ḇə’appeḵā bə’appî ḇə’appî bə’appōw ḇə’appōw bə·’ap̄ ḇə·’ap·pa·yim ḇə·’ap·pām bə·’ap·pāw bə·’ap·pe·ḵā bə·’ap·pə·ḵā ḇə·’ap·pe·ḵā bə·’ap·pî ḇə·’ap·pî bə·’ap·pōw ḇə·’ap·pōw beAf beapPav beapPecha beapPi beapPo hā’ap̄ hā’āp̄ hā·’ap̄ hā·’āp̄ haAf kə’appəḵā kə’appî kə·’ap·pə·ḵā kə·’ap·pî keappeCha keapPi lə’appāw lə’appê lə’appî lə’appōw lə·’ap·pāw lə·’ap·pê lə·’ap·pî lə·’ap·pōw leapPav leapPei leapPi leApPo mê’ap̄ mê’appəḵem mê·’ap̄ mê·’ap·pə·ḵem Meaf meappeChem ū·ḇə·’ap̄ ū·ḇə·’ap·pə·ḵem ūḇə’ap̄ ūḇə’appəḵem uveAf uveappeChem vaAf veAf veapPam veapPayim veapPecha veapPi veapPo wə’ap̄ wə’appî wə’appōw wə·’ap̄ wə·’ap·pî wə·’ap·pōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 2:7 HEB: הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה וַיִּפַּ֥ח בְּאַפָּ֖יו נִשְׁמַ֣ת חַיִּ֑ים NAS: and breathed into his nostrils the breath KJV: and breathed into his nostrils the breath INT: the ground and breathed his nostrils the breath A living Genesis 3:19 Genesis 7:22 Genesis 19:1 Genesis 24:47 Genesis 27:45 Genesis 30:2 Genesis 39:19 Genesis 42:6 Genesis 44:18 Genesis 48:12 Genesis 49:6 Genesis 49:7 Exodus 4:14 Exodus 11:8 Exodus 15:8 Exodus 22:24 Exodus 32:10 Exodus 32:11 Exodus 32:12 Exodus 32:19 Exodus 32:22 Exodus 34:6 Numbers 11:1 Numbers 11:10 276 Occurrences |
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