ὀργίζω
orgízō
G3710 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To become angry, to display or experience a state of anger; to be provoked to wrath. The verb denotes entry into a condition or emotion of anger, whether as a sudden outburst or a growing state of displeasure, directed toward a person, act, or situation. In passive and middle forms, it frequently indicates being aroused to anger by an external cause.
Semantic Range
to become angry, to be provoked to anger, to be enraged, to display anger, (in passive) to be angered by another, to flare up, to react in wrath
Root / Etymology
From ὀργή (orgē, anger, wrath), which stems from an older root possibly meaning 'impulse' or 'natural disposition.' Formed with the verbal suffix -ίζω, indicating to cause or become the state of the root noun.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὀργίζω is a denominative verb based on ὀργή ('anger/wrath'). In Classical Greek the verb is attested from the Hellenistic period onward with the specific sense of 'to become angry' or 'to be provoked to anger.' In New Testament usage, the verb can refer to both divine and human anger, often as a reaction to perceived injustice or offense. Passages may use the passive to emphasize being moved to anger by the actions of others. There is a distinction in Greek between ὀργίζω (to become angry, emphasizing the process or transition into anger) and similar verbs such as θυμόω (to provoke to rage) or ἀγανακτέω (to be indignant or annoyed), with ὀργίζω keeping the focus on the emergence of strong, often righteous, emotional reaction. English translations such as 'be angry', 'be wroth', or 'become furious' sometimes narrow or dilute the underlying sense of provocation or transition. In the Septuagint, ὀργίζω frequently translates Hebrew חָרָה (ḥārāh), especially in contexts where anger is a response to misconduct. The verb does not necessarily indicate the external expression of anger (such as rage), but rather the internal experience or the process of becoming angry; the cause can be seen as justified or unjustified depending on context. ὀργίζω is rare outside biblical or Hellenistic-Jewish texts.
Translation Consistency
ὀργίζω primarily denotes entering or displaying a state of anger, often passively or being provoked. 'Be angry' naturally and directly captures the intransitive/passive sense ('to become/ be provoked to anger') and can be inflected for person/tense without changing the base. Alternatives like 'anger' are more transitive and 'rage' is stronger; 'be angry' best fits the typical usage and SILEX range.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ὀργή; to provoke or enrage, i.e. (passively) become exasperated:--be angry (wroth).
Root Family
ὀργίζω (orgizō) — to become angry, to be provoked to wrath, to feel anger
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3710-01 |
ὠργίσθη | orgisthe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
he became angry | he was angered | he was angered | 3 |
G3710-02 |
ὀργισθεὶς | orgistheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
having become angry | having been angered | having been angry | 2 |
G3710-05 |
ὀργιζόμενος | orgizomenos | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
is angry | being angered | being angry | 1 |
G3710-04 |
ὀργίζεσθε | orgizesthe | V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL |
Be angry | Be angered | Be angry | 1 |
G3710-03 |
ὠργίσθησαν | orgisthesan | V AOR PASS IND 3P PL |
were angry | they were provoked to anger | they were provoked to anger | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3710-05 |
Matthew 5:22 | ὀργιζόμενος | orgizomenos | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
is angry | being angered | being angry |
G3710-02 |
Matthew 18:34 | ὀργισθεὶς | orgistheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
having been angry | having been angered | having been angry |
G3710-01 |
Matthew 22:7 | ὠργίσθη | orgisthe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
was enraged | he was angered | he was angered |
G3710-02 |
Luke 14:21 | ὀργισθεὶς | orgistheis | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM M SG |
having become angry | having been angered | having been angry |
G3710-01 |
Luke 15:28 | ὠργίσθη | orgisthe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
he became angry | he was angered | he was angered |
G3710-04 |
Ephesians 4:26 | ὀργίζεσθε | orgizesthe | V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL |
Be angry | Be angered | Be angry |
G3710-03 |
Revelation 11:18 | ὠργίσθησαν | orgisthesan | V AOR PASS IND 3P PL |
were angry | they were provoked to anger | they were provoked to anger |
G3710-01 |
Revelation 12:17 | ὠργίσθη | orgisthe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
was wroth | he was angered | he was angered |