προσοχθίζω (prosochthizō)
prosochthizō
be angry
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb prosochthizō describes a deep, visceral reaction of disgust or loathing rather than simple anger. It conveys being vexed by something irksome to the point of repulsion, often with physical overtones of spitting out or rejecting what is offensive. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in Hebrews 3, where it describes God’s response to Israel’s rebellion in the wilderness.
Its usage highlights a profound spiritual rejection. When Hebrews quotes Psalm 95, it uses this word to show that God was not merely annoyed but actively disgusted by their hardened hearts and persistent unbelief. This intensity underscores the seriousness of turning away from faith, framing such apostasy as an offense that provokes divine revulsion rather than just disciplinary correction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word προσοχθίζω carries a weight far heavier than simple irritation. It describes a deep, visceral reaction of disgust or loathing, often with physical overtones of rejection. In Hebrews 3, this term reveals that God’s response to Israel’s rebellion was not merely annoyance but profound spiritual revulsion against their hardened hearts.
This intensity serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of persistent unbelief. It shows that faith is not just about outward compliance but an inner posture of trust and obedience. When we allow doubt or stubbornness to take root, we risk provoking this divine displeasure, which stems from God’s holy nature rejecting what is offensive to Him.
Yet, this warning is also an invitation to examine our own hearts. It calls us to maintain a tender, responsive spirit toward God, ensuring that our faith remains alive and active rather than hardening into indifference. Let this truth encourage you to stay close to Christ, who fulfills the obedience Israel failed to show.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- was He indignant1×
- I was angry1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- προσώχθισεν1×
- προσώχθισα1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 3:10
Therefore I was displeased with that generation, and said, ‘They always err in their heart, but they didn’t know my ways.’
This verse uses the word to describe God’s direct displeasure with a generation that erred in heart, highlighting how persistent inner rebellion provokes divine revulsion.
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Hebrews 3:17
With whom was he displeased forty years? Wasn’t it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
Here the term underscores the consequence of forty years of sinning, linking God’s deep disgust to the ultimate result of bodies falling in the wilderness due to unbelief.