בְּנַס (be.nas)
be.nas
be angry
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb banas is a rare word that simply means to be angry or to show wrath. It appears only once in the entire Old Testament, found in Daniel 2:12. In this context, King Nebuchadnezzar reacts with fury when his wise men cannot reveal and interpret his troubling dream.
Because it is so uncommon, banas does not carry a wide range of nuanced meanings like other Hebrew words for anger. It describes a direct, immediate emotional outburst rather than a prolonged state of resentment. The text uses it to highlight the king’s volatile temper at that specific moment in the narrative.
This single occurrence serves as a crucial plot point, setting the stage for Daniel’s intervention. The word underscores the high stakes of the situation: the king’s anger is not just an emotion but a threat to the lives of all the wise men in Babylon. Its brevity in Scripture emphasizes the suddenness and severity of royal displeasure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word banas captures a sudden, intense flash of anger. It appears only once in Scripture, describing King Nebuchadnezzar’s reaction when his wise men could not interpret his dream. This rare term highlights the raw power of uncontrolled emotion and the real danger it poses to others.
In our own lives, we may not face royal decrees, but we understand the weight of a heated moment. When frustration rises, it can feel overwhelming and dangerous. Recognising this feeling helps us pause before acting on impulse, seeking wisdom instead of reacting in fear or rage.
God’s Word shows us that even powerful leaders struggle with temper. Yet, through Daniel’s calm faith, we see that God provides clarity and peace where human anger seeks destruction. We can trust Him to guide our hearts when emotions run high.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he was angry1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּנַ֖ס1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:12
Because of this, the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed.
This verse uses banas to show how the king’s immediate fury led to a death sentence, highlighting the severe consequences of unchecked anger.