קָצַף (qa.tsaph)
qa.tsaph
be angry
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 29 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb qâtsaph describes anger that bursts forth with sudden force. Its root imagery suggests breaking or cracking, which helps explain why it often portrays rage as an uncontrollable outburst rather than a calm state. In the Old Testament, this word frequently appears when God’s wrath is provoked by human disobedience, such as in Deuteronomy 9:7-8 where Israel’s history is summarized as repeatedly provoking Him to anger.
It is used for both divine and human emotions, though the intensity varies. When applied to Pharaoh’s magicians or King Ahasuerus, it captures a fit of fury that leads to rash decisions (Esther 1:12; 7:8). However, Isaiah offers a crucial distinction in chapter 57:16, noting that while God may be qâtsaph for a moment, His spirit will not remain angry forever. This nuance prevents the word from implying endless vindictiveness.
Translators usually render qâtsaph as "be angry" or "provoke to wrath." The Hiphil stem specifically denotes causing this reaction in another, often God, emphasizing that human actions can trigger divine displeasure. Understanding this term clarifies the tension in passages like Zechariah 1:2-6, where God’s past anger is contrasted with His current call for repentance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qâtsaph describes anger that bursts forth with sudden force. Its root imagery suggests breaking or cracking, which helps explain why it often portrays rage as an uncontrollable outburst rather than a calm state. In the Old Testament, this word frequently appears when God’s wrath is provoked by human disobedience, such as in Deuteronomy 9:7-8 where Israel’s history is summarized as repeatedly provoking Him to anger.
It is used for both divine and human emotions, though the intensity varies. When applied to Pharaoh’s magicians or King Ahasuerus, it captures a fit of fury that leads to rash decisions (Esther 1:12; 7:8). However, Isaiah offers a crucial distinction in chapter 57:16, noting that while God may be qâtsaph for a moment, His spirit will not remain angry forever. This nuance prevents the word from implying endless vindictiveness.
Understanding this term clarifies the tension in passages like Zechariah 1:2-6, where God’s past anger is contrasted with His current call for repentance. Translators usually render qâtsaph as "be angry" or "provoke to wrath." The Hiphil stem specifically denotes causing this reaction in another, often God, emphasizing that human actions can trigger divine displeasure.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 29 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he was angry8×
- he was angry4×
- I was angry3×
- you provoked to anger2×
- he will be angry2×
- and/ they were angry2×
- you are angry1×
- will you be angry?1×
- when/ provoked to anger1×
- provoking to anger1×
- from/ being angry1×
- and/ they provoked to anger1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קָצַ֧ף2×
- קָצַ֣פְתִּי2×
- וַ/יִּקְצֹ֥ף2×
- וַ/יִּקְצֹ֣ף2×
- תִּקְצֹֽף\׃\ \פ1×
- קֹצֵ֔ף1×
- קָצַף֩1×
- קָצַ֥פְתָּ1×
- קָצַ֥פְתִּי1×
- קָצַ֣ף1×
- מַקְצִפִ֥ים1×
- מִ/קְּצֹ֥ף1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 9:7
Remember, and don’t forget, how you provoked Yahweh your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you left the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against Yahweh.
This verse summarizes Israel's history of rebellion as the primary cause of provoking Yahweh to wrath.
-
Isaiah 57:16
For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls whom I have made.
God clarifies that His anger is temporary and He will not contend forever, preserving the life of the human spirit.
-
Esther 1:12
But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him.
King Ahasuerus's sudden fury illustrates how qâtsaph can lead to impulsive decisions driven by wounded pride.
-
Numbers 16:22
They fell on their faces, and said, “God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be angry with all the congregation?”
The leaders appeal to God's justice, asking if He would punish the whole community for the sin of one individual.