חָרָה
cha.rah
to be incensed
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# Analysis of חָרָה (chara.h) - "to be incensed" The Hebrew verb חָרָה appears 91 times throughout the biblical text and carries the core meaning of becoming intensely angry or incensed. The term describes an emotional state rather than merely expressing anger rhetorically—it denotes a condition of being inflamed or burned with rage. The frequency of its occurrence across the biblical corpus (91 instances) indicates that this particular expression of anger held significant importance in biblical discourse and reflected a common human experience that the text's authors found worth documenting repeatedly. The word's definition—"to be incensed"—suggests anger characterized by heat and intensity. The imagery embedded in the term (the root connection to "burning" or "heat") conveys not a cold or calculated displeasure but rather an emotional state that rises rapidly and forcefully. This verb appears to function as a standard way for biblical writers to communicate moments when characters or God experienced heightened emotional reactions, making it a crucial term for understanding how the text portrays human psychology and divine response to circumstances.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
91 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be filled, they were very angry;
2 Chronicles 25:10Then Amaziah separated them, the army that had come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again. Therefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in fierce anger.
2 Chronicles 25:15Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against Amaziah, and he sent to him a prophet, who said to him, “Why have you sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of your hand?”
Nehemiah 3:20After him, Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired another portion, from the turning of the wall to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
Nehemiah 4:1But when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and was very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
Nehemiah 5:6I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
Job 19:11He has also kindled his wrath against me. He counts me among his adversaries.
Job 32:2Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.
Job 32:2Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.
Job 32:3Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
Job 32:5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
Job 42:7It was so, that after Yahweh had spoken these words to Job, Yahweh said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.
Psalms 18:7Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.
Psalms 37:1Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.
Psalms 37:7Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
Psalms 106:40Therefore Yahweh burned with anger against his people. He abhorred his inheritance.
Psalms 124:3then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;
Proverbs 24:19Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;
Song of Solomon 1:6Don’t stare at me because I am dark, because the sun has scorched me. My mother’s sons were angry with me. They made me keeper of the vineyards. I haven’t kept my own vineyard.
Isaiah 5:25Therefore Yahweh’s anger burns against his people, and he has stretched out his hand against them and has struck them. The mountains tremble, and their dead bodies are as refuse in the middle of the streets. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is still stretched out.
Isaiah 41:11Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed and confounded. Those who strive with you will be like nothing, and shall perish.
Isaiah 45:24They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’ ” Even to him will men come. All those who raged against him will be disappointed.
Hosea 8:5Let Samaria throw out his calf idol! My anger burns against them! How long will it be until they are capable of purity?
Jonah 4:1But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.
Jonah 4:4Yahweh said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”
Jonah 4:9God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the vine?” He said, “I am right to be angry, even to death.”
Jonah 4:9God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the vine?” He said, “I am right to be angry, even to death.”
Habakkuk 3:8Was Yahweh displeased with the rivers? Was your anger against the rivers, or your wrath against the sea, that you rode on your horses, on your chariots of salvation?
Zechariah 10:3My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the male goats; For Yahweh of Armies has visited his flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as his majestic horse in the battle.
Psalms 37:8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.
Genesis 4:5but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.
Genesis 4:6Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen?
Genesis 18:30He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak. What if there are thirty found there?” He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
Genesis 18:32He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the ten’s sake.”
Genesis 30:2Jacob’s anger burned against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in God’s place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”
Genesis 31:35She said to her father, “Don’t let my lord be angry that I can’t rise up before you; for I’m having my period.” He searched, but didn’t find the teraphim.
Genesis 31:36Jacob was angry, and argued with Laban. Jacob answered Laban, “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me?
Genesis 34:7The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it. The men were grieved, and they were very angry, because he had done folly in Israel in lying with Jacob’s daughter, a thing ought not to be done.
Genesis 39:19When his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, “This is what your servant did to me,” his wrath was kindled.
Genesis 44:18Then Judah came near to him, and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and don’t let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even as Pharaoh.
Genesis 45:5Now don’t be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
Exodus 4:14Yahweh’s anger burned against Moses, and he said, “What about Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Also, behold, he is coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
Exodus 22:24and my wrath will grow hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
Exodus 32:10Now therefore leave me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them, and that I may consume them; and I will make of you a great nation.”
Exodus 32:11Moses begged Yahweh his God, and said, “Yahweh, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, that you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
Exodus 32:19As soon as he came near to the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing. Then Moses’ anger grew hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mountain.
Exodus 32:22Aaron said, “Don’t let the anger of my lord grow hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.
Numbers 11:1The people were complaining in the ears of Yahweh. When Yahweh heard it, his anger burned; and Yahweh’s fire burned among them, and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.
Numbers 11:10Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent; and Yahweh’s anger burned greatly; and Moses was displeased.
Numbers 11:33While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, Yahweh’s anger burned against the people, and Yahweh struck the people with a very great plague.