Strong’s Greek 3710 occurs eight times in the New Testament and always depicts an active surge of anger—whether righteous or unrighteous, divine or human. Each setting clarifies what kind of anger is on display and whether it is approved or condemned.

Occurrences and Narrative Context

• Matthew 5:22—personal anger condemned in the Sermon on the Mount.
• Matthew 18:34—wrath of the unforgiving master against a merciless servant.
• Matthew 22:7—royal indignation in the parable of the wedding banquet.
• Luke 14:21—anger of a host whose invitations were scorned.
• Luke 15:28—resentful anger of the elder brother.
• Ephesians 4:26—apostolic counsel to handle anger without sin.
• Revelation 11:18—rage of the nations at God’s imminent judgment.
• Revelation 12:17—Satan’s fury against the covenant community.

Divine Kingship and Just Retribution

The verb often describes the anger of a figure who represents God’s rightful authority. In Matthew 22:7 “The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city.” The anger is not capricious but judicial, answering persistent rebellion. Similarly, the master’s anger in Matthew 18:34 reaffirms that mercy withheld invites stern discipline.

Human Anger in Moral Instruction

Luke 15:28 portrays the elder brother’s smoldering resentment: “But the older son became angry and refused to go in.” Here anger reveals a graceless heart, indicting self-righteousness. Luke 14:21 shows another form—momentary indignation when generosity is despised—yet it propels the host to extend grace to society’s outcasts. The scenes warn that anger may expose ungodliness or motivate holy action, depending on its object and outcome.

Apostolic Teaching on Sanctified Anger

Ephesians 4:26 quotes Psalm 4:4 (LXX): “‘Be angry, yet do not sin.’ Do not let the sun set upon your anger.” Anger itself is treated as a natural emotion that can serve righteous ends, provided it is promptly resolved and never nursed into bitterness (compare verse 31). The imperative acknowledges that believers may feel indignation at evil, but they must govern it under the Spirit’s control.

Eschatological Wrath and Cosmic Conflict

Revelation uses the verb twice to underline hostility toward God and His people. Revelation 11:18 records: “The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come.” Human and demonic anger culminate in opposition to divine judgment, yet are overwhelmed by God’s superior wrath. Revelation 12:17 shifts the focus to Satan: “The dragon was enraged at the woman,” illustrating how diabolical anger drives persecution but ultimately fails against covenant faithfulness.

Old Testament Background and Septuagint Echoes

The Greek verb frequently translates Hebrew terms such as ḥārâ (“to burn with anger”). The Septuagint of Psalm 4:4, which Paul cites, links controlled anger with reverent awe before God. This continuity underscores Scripture’s unified message: anger is permissible only when aligned with God’s holiness and quickly surrendered to His sovereignty.

Historical Theology

Early Christian writers distinguished righteous zeal from sinful wrath. Chrysostom urged believers to imitate Christ, who was angry at hard-heartedness (Mark 3:5) yet remained sinless. Augustine warned that anger unchecked becomes “incipient murder,” reflecting Matthew 5:22. Reformers like John Calvin emphasized that indignation at blasphemy or injustice can be virtuous, provided it submits to the Word and does not lapse into personal vendetta.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Pastoral Counseling: Help believers discern whether their anger mirrors divine holiness or personal offense.
2. Conflict Resolution: Apply Ephesians 4:26–27, encouraging immediate, gracious dialogue before nightfall.
3. Preaching: Use parables of Matthew 18 and 22 to stress both God’s patience and His readiness to judge unrepentant sin.
4. Spiritual Warfare: Remind congregations that worldly and satanic rage (Revelation 11–12) is expected opposition; perseverance rests in the Lamb’s victory.

Counsel for Believers Today

• Examine motives: Is the anger rooted in love for righteousness or wounded pride?
• Submit emotions to prayer: Hand unresolved indignation to the Lord, trusting His justice.
• Pursue reconciliation promptly: Reflect the Father who goes out to entreat even an angry elder brother (Luke 15:28).
• Maintain eschatological hope: The rage of nations and of the dragon is temporary; Christ’s kingdom endures forever.