English · KJV
G3949

παροργίζω

parorgízō /par-org-id'-zo/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom παρά and ὀργίζω
Meaningto anger alongside, i.e. enrage
KJV usageanger, provoke to wrath.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of parorgízō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word parorgízō, represented by G3949, is defined as to anger alongside, i.e. enrage. It is formed from the words παρά and ὀργίζω. According to the scriptural record, it appears 3 times across 2 unique verses.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The term G3949 is used in two distinct contexts. In a familial setting, fathers G3962 are explicitly commanded not to provoke their children G5043 to wrath Ephesians 6:4. In a national context, the word is used in a quotation of Moses where God states He will anger Israel by means of a "foolish G801 nation" Romans 10:19. This action is set in parallel with provoking them to jealousy.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and application of G3949:

  • G3863 parazēlóō (to stimulate alongside, i.e. excite to rivalry): This term is used in direct parallel with G3949 in Romans 10:19, where God plans to provoke Israel to jealousy and anger them through another people.
  • G3809 paideía (tutorage, i.e. education or training; by implication, disciplinary correction): In Ephesians 6:4, this is presented as the constructive alternative to provoking children to wrath. Fathers are to bring children up in the nurture of the Lord.
  • G3962 patḗr (a "father"): This word identifies the specific group being addressed in the command not to provoke children to wrath, highlighting a key area of parental responsibility Ephesians 6:4.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G3949 is demonstrated in its specific applications.

  • Parental Conduct: The command in Ephesians 6:4 establishes a clear standard for fatherhood. Provoking a child to wrath stands in direct opposition to the godly alternative of raising them in the nurture G3809 and admonition G3559 of the Lord G2962.
  • Divine Action: Romans 10:19 reveals that God can use the provocation of anger as a tool. He declares His intention to anger Israel through another nation, linking it to a plan to incite jealousy and rivalry.
  • A Counterpoint to Godly Training: By contrasting G3949 with positive terms like paideía (nurture) and nouthesía (admonition), scripture frames this type of provocation as detrimental to proper spiritual and relational development within the family.

Summary

In summary, G3949 is a specific term for enraging or provoking to wrath. It is used to deliver a direct prohibition to fathers regarding their children and is also employed to describe God's sovereign action toward the nation of Israel. The word highlights a powerful, negative response that is contrasted with the positive, constructive results of godly training and admonition.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Future Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
  • Present Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future
Action yet to take place.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G3962 πατήρ apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent. G5043 τέκνον from the base of τίκτω; a child (as produced):--child, daughter, son. G801 ἀσύνετος from Α (as a negative particle) and συνετός; unintelligent; by implication, wicked:--foolish, without understanding. G3863 παραζηλόω from παρά and ζηλόω; to stimulate alongside, i.e. excite to rivalry:--provoke to emulation (jealousy). G3809 παιδεία from παιδεύω; tutorage, i.e. education or training; by implication, disciplinary correction:--chastening, chastisement, G3559 νουθεσία from νοῦς and a derivative of τίθημι; calling attention to, i.e. (by implication) mild rebuke or warning:--admonition.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Romans and Ephesians (1 verse each); never once in the other 25.

1
Romans
1
Ephesians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.