ὀργίζω

I irritate, provoke, am angry

Definition

ὀργίζω primarily means 'to provoke to anger' or 'to be angry.' In the active voice, it describes causing someone to become angry, as when a king is provoked to wrath in the parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:7). In the middle/passive voice, it most commonly means 'to become angry' or 'to be angry,' describing a person's emotional state, such as the elder brother's anger in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:28). A significant nuance is found in Ephesians 4:26, where the imperative 'be angry' (ὀργίζεσθε) is permitted but immediately qualified with the command not to sin, indicating anger itself is not inherently sinful but must be rightly directed and short-lived.

Biblical Usage

The verb is used eight times in the New Testament, appearing in narratives, parables, and direct exhortations. In narratives and parables (Matthew 18:34, 22:7; Luke 14:21, 15:28), it often describes the intense, punitive anger of a wronged authority figure. In direct teaching, it is used in Jesus's warning against unjust anger (Matthew 5:22) and in Paul's careful instruction on righteous anger (Ephesians 4:26). In Revelation, it describes the wrath of God (Revelation 11:18) and the dragon's fury against God's people (Revelation 12:17).

Etymology

Derived from the noun ὀργή (orgē, G3709), meaning 'wrath' or 'passion.' The verb form signifies the activation of that wrath, either by provoking it in another or experiencing it oneself. It belongs to a word family expressing strong emotion, often with a sense of settled, deliberate indignation rather than a fleeting outburst.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant for understanding biblical concepts of anger, both human and divine. It highlights that anger is a real human emotion addressed by Jesus (Matthew 5:22) and regulated by apostolic teaching (Ephesians 4:26). More profoundly, it is used to describe the righteous wrath of God against sin and rebellion (Revelation 11:18), a core aspect of divine justice. Understanding the distinction between its causative and passive senses helps clarify who is angry and why, enriching readings of parables and prophetic texts.

In the Greco-Roman world, anger (ὀργή) was often viewed as a dangerous passion that could overthrow reason, a perspective shared by many philosophical schools. The New Testament's use of the term engages with this understanding but reframes it within a biblical worldview. God's ὀργή is not an irrational fit but a just and settled opposition to evil. The cultural expectation for human anger was generally negative, making the qualified permission for it in Ephesians 4:26 a nuanced and counter-cultural instruction.

θυμός (thymos, G2372) — Often 'fury' or 'passionate outburst,' more impulsive and turbulent than ὀργή. παραζηλόω (parazēloō, G3863) — 'To provoke to jealousy or anger,' with a stronger sense of rivalry or zeal. χολάω (cholaō, G5520) — 'To be enraged,' used only in John 7:23, implying bitter anger.

Word Details

Scripture References