παροργισμός

parorgismós

G3950 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A state or outburst of intense anger, provocation, or irritation; especially a heightened or agitated wrath that results from being provoked. The term denotes not just internal anger but a stirred or aroused anger in reaction to an offense, often expressing the idea of exasperation or severe displeasure. In context, it can refer to both human and divine indignation or wrath, with intensity and the concept of provocation particularly stressed.

Semantic Range

provoked anger, exasperation, rage resulting from offense or irritation, state of being incited to anger, violent outburst of wrath

Root / Etymology

From the verb παροργίζω (to provoke to anger, to exasperate), which itself is formed from παρά (beside, beyond, against) and ὀργίζω (to anger, from ὀργή, anger/wrath). Thus, the noun παροργισμός is a resultative or state noun describing the product or state of being provoked to anger.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Παροργισμός occurs rarely in Greek literature, with most attestations in Koine sources, including the New Testament (e.g., Ephesians 4:26: 'be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger'—here, παροργισμός signifies a particular moment of provoked anger that should not be allowed to persist). The term is more intense than ὀργή ('anger' or 'wrath') and more specific than θυμός ('passion' or 'rage'), highlighting the aspect of being incited or stirred up by some external cause. In the Septuagint and other non-biblical Koine texts, it bears a similar sense but is infrequent. While English translations often render it simply as 'wrath' or 'anger', this does not fully capture the nuance of provocation and escalation inherent in the Greek term.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παροργίζω; rage:--wrath.

Root Family

παροργισμός (parorgismos) — provoked anger, wrath, exasperation

Root ὀργ- anger, wrath, provocation

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3950-01 παροργισμῷ parorgismo N DAT M SG anger to provoked wrath provoked wrath 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3950-01 Ephesians 4:26 παροργισμῷ parorgismo N DAT M SG anger to provoked wrath provoked wrath