The Hebrew word chŏrîy, represented by H2750, describes a burning or intense anger. Derived from the root for "to glow or grow warm" H2734, it conveys a sense of heat and fierceness. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses, and is translated as fierce, great, or heat, always modifying the word for anger.
In biblical narratives, H2750 is used to describe the profound anger of both God and man. It characterizes the "fierce anger" of God that leads to judgment against Israel, where He "hath cut off... all the horn of Israel" Lamentations 2:3 and the "heat of this great anger" that explains the desolation of the land Deuteronomy 29:24. The term also captures intense human emotion, such as Moses leaving Pharaoh in "a great anger" Exodus 11:8 and Jonathan rising from his father's table in "fierce anger" over the shame done to David 1 Samuel 20:34.
Several related words provide a fuller picture of the concept of burning anger:
- H2734 chârâh: The root word from which chŏrîy is derived, it means "to glow or grow warm" and figuratively "to blaze up, of anger." It is used when the anger of the LORD is "kindled" against His people Isaiah 5:25.
- H639 'aph: Often translated as anger or wrath, this word is frequently paired with chŏrîy to form phrases like "fierce anger" 1 Samuel 20:34 or "great anger" Exodus 11:8, with chŏrîy acting as an intensifier.
- H1197 bâʻar: Meaning to "kindle" or "consume by fire," this word connects the figurative heat of chŏrîy to literal destruction. In God's anger, He "burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about" Lamentations 2:3.
The theological weight of H2750 is significant, highlighting the nature of both divine and human wrath.
- Divine Judgment: The term expresses the intensity of God's response to sin and rebellion. The "heat of this great anger" from the LORD H3068 is presented as a direct and devastating consequence of covenant disobedience Deuteronomy 29:24.
- Righteous Human Anger: H2750 is used to describe anger that stems from a righteous cause, such as Moses' response to Pharaoh's hard-heartedness Exodus 11:8 or Jonathan's grief over the injustice shown to David 1 Samuel 20:34.
- Contemptible Fury: In a prophetic context, the "fierce anger" of human kings like Rezin H7526 is diminished and described as coming from mere "smoking firebrands" H181, counseling God's people not to fear it Isaiah 7:4.
In summary, H2750 chŏrîy is a powerful descriptor that intensifies the concept of anger into a "burning" or "fierce" wrath. It is used to illustrate the formidable power of God's judgment, the depth of righteous human indignation, and the ultimate futility of human rage when set against the purposes of God. Its limited but potent use emphasizes the consuming nature of anger in pivotal scriptural moments.
TRV