The term "indignantly" refers to a feeling of anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment or injustice. In the context of the Bible, this emotion is often associated with a righteous response to sin, hypocrisy, or injustice. The Bible provides several instances where indignation is expressed, both by God and by individuals, as a reaction to unrighteousness or moral failure.

Biblical Instances of Indignation:

1. Jesus' Indignation:
One of the most notable instances of indignation in the New Testament is when Jesus expresses anger at the Pharisees and religious leaders for their hypocrisy and legalism. In Mark 3:5 , Jesus looks around at them "with anger, grieved by the hardness of their hearts," before healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. This indignation is directed at the leaders' lack of compassion and understanding of God's law.

2. God's Indignation:
The Old Testament frequently describes God's indignation against sin and idolatry. In Isaiah 10:5-6 , God expresses His indignation against Assyria, using them as an instrument of His wrath against a "godless nation." Here, indignation is portrayed as a divine response to persistent disobedience and rebellion against God's covenant.

3. Human Indignation:
In the Psalms, the righteous often express indignation towards the wicked. Psalm 119:53 states, "Rage has taken hold of me because of the wicked who reject Your law." This reflects a deep-seated anger towards those who blatantly disregard God's commandments, highlighting a desire for justice and righteousness.

4. Apostolic Indignation:
The Apostle Paul also demonstrates indignation in his letters. In Galatians 2:11-14 , Paul recounts his confrontation with Peter in Antioch, where he opposed him "to his face" for withdrawing from Gentile believers out of fear of the circumcision group. Paul's indignation here is rooted in a defense of the truth of the Gospel and the unity of the Church.

Theological Implications:

Indignation in the Bible is often associated with a zeal for God's holiness and justice. It is not merely an emotional response but is frequently tied to a moral or spiritual principle. Righteous indignation is distinguished from sinful anger by its motivation and purpose. While human indignation can sometimes lead to sin if not controlled (Ephesians 4:26-27), divine indignation is always just and serves to uphold God's righteous standards.

Practical Application:

Believers are called to reflect God's character, including His righteous indignation against sin. However, they must exercise caution to ensure that their anger is aligned with God's will and not driven by personal vendettas or selfish motives. James 1:19-20 advises, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires." This underscores the importance of discernment and self-control in expressing indignation.

In summary, indignation in the biblical sense is a complex emotion that, when aligned with God's purposes, can serve as a powerful catalyst for justice and righteousness.(adv.) In an indignant manner.23. aganakteo -- to grieve much, hence to be indignant
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition to grieve much, hence to be indignant
NASB Word Usage feel indignant (1), indignant (5), indignantly (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/23.htm - 6k

Philip visits St. Nilus
... conduct of Arcadius. And why does he send to me?' he asked indignantly.
'Arsenius is near us, in the Sketic desert. That truly great ...
/.../chapter lxii philip visits st.htm

The Preparations of the Greeks for Defense.
... When Darius invaded Greece some years before, he had summoned Athens and Sparta
as well as the others, but his demands were indignantly rejected. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter vii the preparations of.htm

The Latest Improved.
... what temptations are. These feelings should be immediately and indignantly
resisted. Get after them in earnest. The very exercise ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/the latest improved.htm

The Right to Regulate My Private Affairs as I Wish
... bit of alteration in her wardrobe. All suggestions, however, are indignantly
rejected. She plunges enthusiastically into work with ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 4 the right to.htm

Letter vii. Tact --Unobtrusiveness.
... under discussion in the society, when Mrs. A. arose and said, bluntly: "That is
not true." Everybody was astonished, and listened almost indignantly while Mrs ...
/.../letter vii tactunobtrusiveness.htm

Preparations for the Invasion of Greece.
... by the army."The plane-tree."Artificial honey."Salt lake."Gold and silver
mines."Xerxes summons the Greeks to surrender."They indignantly refuse. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter iv preparations for the.htm

The Exile --Continued.
... Then with a quick turn comes the passionate protestation of his innocence, in hurried
words, broken by feeling, and indignantly turning away from the slanders ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vii the exilecontinued.htm

The Cripple at Lystra
... Such homage these men of God indignantly refuse; they rend their clothes; they beseech
them to do no such thing, for they are nothing but men; yet hardly with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the cripple at lystra.htm

The Gospel According to St. John
... It was when the old man indignantly refused to stay under the roof of the same public
baths as Cerinthus, the heretic who denied that Mary was a virgin when ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter vi the gospel according.htm

The Greek Versions as Aids to Biblical Study.
... interroga quemlibet Hebraeorum cui magis accommodare debeas fidem." Like Origen
he indignantly, and on the whole doubtless with justice, repudiated the charge ...
/.../chapter iv the greek versions.htm

Indignantly (3 Occurrences)
... (adv.) In an indignant manner. Multi-Version Concordance Indignantly (3 Occurrences).
Matthew 26:8 "Why such waste?" indignantly exclaimed the disciples; (WEY). ...
/i/indignantly.htm - 7k

Indignant (22 Occurrences)

/i/indignant.htm - 12k

Notorious (16 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:2 and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying,
"He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals ...
/n/notorious.htm - 11k

Joins (8 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:2 and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying,
"He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals ...
/j/joins.htm - 8k

Exclaimed (45 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:8 "Why such waste?" indignantly exclaimed the disciples; (WEY). Matthew
26:65 Then the High Priest tore his robes and exclaimed, "Impious language! ...
/e/exclaimed.htm - 19k

Complain (19 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:2 and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying,
"He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals ...
/c/complain.htm - 12k

Led (260 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:2 and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying,
"He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals ...
/l/led.htm - 36k

Indignation (56 Occurrences)

/i/indignation.htm - 24k

Thus (1271 Occurrences)
... doors. (DBY). Mark 14:4 But there were some who said indignantly among
themselves, "Why has the ointment been thus wasted? (WEY RSV). ...
/t/thus.htm - 33k

Gives (542 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:2 and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying,
"He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals ...
/g/gives.htm - 35k

Indignantly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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