Lexical Summary arek: Long, slow to Original Word: אָרֵךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance longsuffering patient, slow to anger From 'arak; long -- long(-suffering, -winged), patient, slow (to anger). see HEBREW 'arak NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom arak Definition long NASB Translation long (1), patience (2), slow (10), who is slow (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אָרֵךְ] adjective long — only construct אֶרֶךְ Exodus 34:6 14t. — הָאֵבֶר ׳א long of pinion Ezekiel 17:3 ("" גְּדוֺל הַכְּנָפַיִם) of eagle, in metaphor; elsewhere always of feelings, as substantive Ecclesiastes 7:8 רוּחַ ׳א the patient of spirit (opposed to ׳גְּבַהּ ר); אַמַּיִם ׳א one slow to anger Proverbs 14:29 (opposed to קְצַררֿוּחַ), so Proverbs 15:18 (opposed to אִישׁ חֵמָה), Proverbs 16:32 ("" משֵׁל בְּרוּחוֺ); more often of ׳י, אַפַיִם ׳א, Exodus 34:6 אַמַּיִם וְרַבחֶֿסֶד וֶאֱמֶת ׳רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן א compare Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 145:8; so + וְנִחָם עַלהָֿרָעָה Joel 2:13 compare Jonah 4:2 (where אֵל), אַמַּיִם וּגְדוֺל כֹּחַ ׳א Nahum 1:3; לְאֶרֶךְ אַמְּךָ only Jeremiah 15:15, ׳א apparently noun; read אֹרֶךְ ? compare Proverbs 25:15. Topical Lexicon The Attribute of Divine PatienceThe adjective אָרֵךְ is most often paired with אַפַּיִם, “nostrils” or “anger,” to form the celebrated phrase “slow to anger.” In Exodus 34:6 the LORD proclaims His own Name: “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness”. This self-revelation becomes a creed-like refrain echoed throughout Israel’s history (Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Nahum 1:3). Each citation affirms that divine patience is not weakness but restrained power, holding judgment in abeyance so mercy may triumph where repentance appears. Repetition in Israel’s Confessional Formula Moses first records the formula after the golden-calf apostasy. When interceding for the nation a second time (Numbers 14:18), he deliberately quotes the divine words back to God, grounding his appeal in the very character the LORD had announced. Generations later the Levites employ the same language in public worship (Nehemiah 9:17), and the prophets invoke it both to warn and to comfort (Joel 2:13; Nahum 1:3). The refrain therefore functions liturgically and theologically, shaping Israel’s vision of God as patient yet morally resolute. Echoes in the Writings and Wisdom Literature While six occurrences spotlight God, the remaining usages call God’s people to imitate Him. Proverbs repeatedly contrasts the patient person with the quick-tempered: “He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29; cf. 15:18; 16:32). Ecclesiastes 7:8 extends the principle: “Better is the end of a matter than the beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit.” Patience, then, is wisdom in action—governing the heart so that righteous judgment replaces impulsive wrath. The Prophetic Edge Jeremiah 15:15 reveals the cost for a prophet who lives within God’s timetable: “O LORD, You understand; remember me and attend to me. Avenge me against my persecutors. In Your patience do not take me away.” Jeremiah pleads that God’s forbearance with Judah will not entail the prophet’s own extinction. Nahum 1:3, by contrast, sounds the limit of tolerance: “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” Divine patience is never passive; it is the measured interval before decisive intervention. Illustration in Parable and Symbol Ezekiel 17:3’s allegory of the great eagle employs אָרֵךְ in describing the eagle’s “long pinions,” illustrating strength extended over distance. Though not dealing with temper, the image underscores duration and deliberate reach—fitting complements to the moral sense of restrained length in anger. Christological Fulfillment The New Testament does not use the Hebrew term, yet its theological substance permeates the Gospel. Jesus embodies the patience of God, refraining from judgment even when rejected (Luke 9:54-56). Peter identifies the crucifixion era as the supreme display of divine longsuffering (2 Peter 3:9, 15). Thus the attribute first voiced at Sinai finds fullest expression at Calvary, where wrath is deferred so grace may be offered. Pastoral and Discipleship Applications 1. Assurance of Forgiveness: Because God is slow to anger, repentant sinners may approach Him with confidence (Joel 2:13). Intercessory Prayer and Missions Moses’ appeal in Numbers 14 demonstrates how the knowledge of God’s patience fuels bold petition. Missionaries and intercessors likewise argue from this attribute, pleading that the season of grace be extended to unreached peoples while asking for revival within the church. Patience becomes both a reason to pray and a resource for enduring labor. Practical Ministry Implications • Counseling: Encourage counselees struggling with anger to meditate on Proverbs 16:32—“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty.” Eschatological Perspective Patience is eschatological in scope. The apparent delay of judgment is “the riches of His kindness and patience” meant to lead to repentance (Romans 2:4). Yet Scripture affirms a terminus: “For still the vision awaits an appointed time… if it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come” (Habakkuk 2:3). The faithful therefore wait with holy expectation, cultivating endurance while warning the world that the day of reckoning is certain. Summary Across fifteen occurrences, אָרֵךְ portrays patience as deliberate length—God stretching out His nostrils, so to speak, to breathe out mercy before exhaling judgment. This divine quality becomes the template for human conduct, the foundation for intercession, and the backdrop for redemptive history. By studying these passages, believers grow in reverent gratitude for the LORD who is “slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion” and are equipped to display the same gracious restraint in a world desperately in need of it. Forms and Transliterations אֶ֖רֶךְ אֶ֣רֶךְ אֶ֤רֶךְ אֶ֥רֶךְ אֶֽרֶךְ־ ארך ארך־ וְאֶ֥רֶך וארך לְאֶ֥רֶךְ לארך ’e·reḵ ’e·reḵ- ’ereḵ ’ereḵ- Erech lə’ereḵ lə·’e·reḵ leErech veErech wə’ereḵ wə·’e·reḵLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 34:6 HEB: רַח֖וּם וְחַנּ֑וּן אֶ֥רֶךְ אַפַּ֖יִם וְרַב־ NAS: and gracious, slow to anger, INT: compassionate and gracious slow to anger and abounding Numbers 14:18 Nehemiah 9:17 Psalm 86:15 Psalm 103:8 Psalm 145:8 Proverbs 14:29 Proverbs 15:18 Proverbs 16:32 Ecclesiastes 7:8 Jeremiah 15:15 Ezekiel 17:3 Joel 2:13 Jonah 4:2 Nahum 1:3 15 Occurrences |
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