קֶ֫צֶף (qe.tseph)
qe.tseph
wrath; splinter
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qeṣep primarily denotes intense anger or wrath, appearing twenty-four times in the Old Testament. It describes a fierce, often destructive emotion that can belong to humans or, more frequently, to God. In prophetic literature such as Jeremiah and Zechariah, it captures the divine response to covenant unfaithfulness, portraying a heat of judgment that is both serious and purposeful.
While its dominant sense is emotional fury, the word has a secondary, obscure meaning related to physical fragments. Brown-Driver-Briggs notes a rare usage in Hosea 10:7 where it may mean "splinter" or "broken twig," though this definition remains uncertain. This dual nature suggests a root idea of something broken off by force, whether that be a piece of wood snapped under pressure or the breaking point of human restraint.
Translators typically render qeṣep as "wrath" to distinguish it from other Hebrew words for anger that imply mere irritation. The sources highlight its weight in theological contexts, where it signifies a decisive, powerful outburst rather than a fleeting mood. Its occurrence in Chronicles further emphasizes the historical consequences of this divine displeasure on the nation of Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qeṣep describes a fierce, decisive outburst rather than a fleeting mood of irritation. In the Old Testament, it often captures God’s serious response to covenant unfaithfulness. This is not a loss of control, but a purposeful heat of judgment that addresses deep spiritual brokenness.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God takes sin seriously because He loves His people. When Scripture speaks of divine wrath, it highlights the cost of turning away from Him. Yet, even in these strong passages, we see a God who acts to restore what is broken, not merely to destroy.
Consider Isaiah 54:8, where God says He hid His face for a moment but will show everlasting kindness. This balance helps us understand that judgment is never the final word. Instead, it is part of a larger story of redemption and mercy that invites us back to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- wrath12×
- anger2×
- and/ in/ wrath2×
- and/ anger2×
- [the] wrath of2×
- like/ a twig1×
- in/ wrath/ my1×
- from/ wrath/ his1×
- from/ [the] wrath of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קֶ֣צֶף3×
- קֶ֔צֶף3×
- קֶ֗צֶף2×
- קֶ֖צֶף2×
- קֶּ֔צֶף1×
- קָֽצֶף\׃1×
- קָ֑צֶף1×
- קֶצֶף\־1×
- קֶ֥צֶף1×
- קֶ֤צֶף1×
- מִ/קֶּ֤צֶף1×
- מִ/קִּצְפּ/וֹ֙1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 54:8
In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you,” says Yahweh your Redeemer.
This verse shows that God’s wrath is temporary, serving as a brief pause before He restores His everlasting loving kindness to His people.
-
Numbers 1:53
But the Levites shall encamp around the Tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the children of Israel. The Levites shall be responsible for the Tabernacle of the Testimony.”
Here the word highlights the protective role of the Levites, who stand between the holy sanctuary and the congregation to prevent destructive wrath from touching the people.
-
Jeremiah 32:37
“Behold, I will gather them out of all the countries where I have driven them in my anger, and in my wrath, and in great indignation; and I will bring them again to this place. I will cause them to dwell safely.
This passage demonstrates that even when God gathers His people out of anger and wrath, His ultimate goal is to bring them back to dwell safely in their land.
-
II Chronicles 19:10
Whenever any controversy comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you must warn them, that they not be guilty toward Yahweh, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you will not be guilty.
The warning to leaders shows that neglecting justice invites wrath, emphasizing the serious consequences of failing to uphold God’s statutes among His people.