Lexical Summary qetsaph: wrath Original Word: קְצַף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wrath (Aramaic) from qtsaph; rage -- wrath. see HEBREW qtsaph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from qetsaph Definition wrath NASB Translation wrath (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קְצַף noun [masculine] wrath (of God) (only Syriac  sadness, anxiety, in Lexicons); — absolute ׳ק Ezra 7:23. קְצָת see קצא. above Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Narrative Setting The noun קְצַף appears only once in the Old Testament, at Ezra 7:23, where Artaxerxes’ decree urges generous provision for temple worship “so that there will be no wrath against the realm of the king and his sons”. The unique placement highlights the term against the backdrop of post-exilic restoration, linking the Persian monarch’s political stability to Israel’s faithful worship. Historical and Literary Context Ezra 7 recounts the second return from Babylon under Ezra (circa 458 BC). Artaxerxes’ letter (Ezra 7:12-26) authorizes sacred vessels, supplies, and priestly autonomy. In Near-Eastern diplomacy, kings sought to placate local deities; Artaxerxes recognizes “the God of heaven” as a transcendent power whose displeasure could jeopardize imperial well-being. The fear of קְצַף reveals: Divine Wrath and Covenant Theology Throughout Scripture God’s wrath is never capricious but a just reaction to sin and covenant breach (Psalm 78:21-22; Romans 1:18). In Ezra 7 קְצַף functions as a warning that the neglect of temple service invites judgment beyond Israel to include Gentile authorities who obstruct or ignore divine mandates (compare Jeremiah 50:13). The verse thereby underlines the ethical universality of God’s moral order. Intercanonical Resonance 1. Old Testament precedents: Pharaoh (Exodus 15:7), Saul (1 Samuel 28:18), and Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:8) each meet or fear wrath when failing covenant obligations. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Worship Priority: Faithful, diligent worship averts divine displeasure; neglect invites consequences (Hebrews 10:25-31). Practical Theology for Today The solitary appearance of קְצַף in Ezra underscores that God’s wrath, though real, is avoidable through obedience and reverent worship. The passage encourages believers to pursue holiness, trust divine sovereignty over political powers, and engage culture with confidence that God can direct even secular authorities to advance His redemptive purposes. Forms and Transliterations קְצַ֔ף קצף keTzaf qə·ṣap̄ qəṣap̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 7:23 HEB: לְמָ֤ה לֶֽהֱוֵא֙ קְצַ֔ף עַל־ מַלְכ֥וּת NAS: so that there will not be wrath against KJV: should there be wrath against INT: why be will not be wrath against the kingdom 1 Occurrence |
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