Original Word: רְגַז
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: rgaz
Pronunciation: reh-GAHZ
Phonetic Spelling: (reg-az')
NASB: provoked, wrath
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H7264 (רָגַז - tremble)]

1. provoke unto wrath

provoke unto wrath

(Aramaic) corresponding to ragaz -- provoke unto wrath.

see HEBREW ragaz

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to ragaz
Definition
to enrage
NASB Translation
provoked (1), wrath (1).

Biblical Occurrence

רְגַז appears once, in Ezra 5:12, within the Aramaic correspondence recorded by Ezra. The Jewish elders recount to Persian officials why the former temple had been destroyed: “But since our fathers angered the God of heaven, He handed them over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried the people away to Babylon” (Ezra 5:12). Here the noun identifies the divine displeasure provoked by covenant-breaking sin.

Historical Setting

The verbatim Aramaic letter (Ezra 4:8–6:18) dates to the early reign of Darius I (circa 520 BC). The returned exiles had resumed temple construction after years of opposition. Persian officials demanded legal justification, prompting the elders to give a concise theological history. By admitting that the exile resulted from חָרוֹן אַף־יְהוָה (“the burning of the Lord’s anger,” compare 2 Kings 25:13–21), they demonstrated covenant awareness: God’s wrath is the righteous outcome of Israel’s persistent idolatry and injustice predicted in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28.

Theological Significance

1. Divine holiness: רְגַז underscores that God’s character is not indifferent to sin. His wrath is neither capricious nor spiteful but an expression of perfect justice.
2. Covenant fidelity: The elders’ confession aligns with the prophetic explanation of the exile (Isaiah 50:1; Jeremiah 25:8–11). Their words show that acknowledgment of guilt is prerequisite to restoration (1 Kings 8:46–50; Daniel 9:4–19).
3. Mercy in judgment: Even while recalling רְגַז, the speakers testify to God’s ongoing grace, for He has stirred Persian kings to authorize the rebuild (Ezra 1:1–4; Haggai 1:13). Wrath does not nullify the divine promises but serves the redemptive plan.

Divine Anger and Covenant Faithfulness

The single use of רְגַז echoes the broader biblical motif that unrepentant rebellion “provokes” God (Deuteronomy 32:16; Psalm 78:58). Yet the same God pledges to “turn from His fierce anger” when His people repent (Jeremiah 18:8). The exile becomes a living sermon: anger lasts “for a moment,” but favor “for a lifetime” (Psalm 30:5).

Application in Personal and Corporate Ministry

• Confession and humility: The elders model transparent acknowledgment of sin. True revival begins with honest appraisal of offenses against God’s holiness (1 John 1:9).
• Teaching on divine attributes: Balanced proclamation must include both love and righteous wrath (Romans 1:18; Hebrews 12:29).
• Motivation for mission: Awareness of God’s anger against sin magnifies the urgency of proclaiming reconciliation through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18–21).

Links to Related Biblical Themes

• Terminology: The Hebrew cognate רָגַז (Strong’s 7264) can denote trembling (Psalm 4:4), agitation (Isaiah 14:9), or rage (2 Kings 19:28), showing the semantic range from inner turmoil to outward wrath.
• Prophetic anticipation: Prophets often connect divine anger with shaking of nations (Haggai 2:6–7) and cosmic disturbance (Joel 2:10).
• Eschatological fulfillment: Revelation portrays consummate judgment on unrepentant wickedness while offering shelter to those “washed in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).

Christological and Redemptive Trajectory

The exile’s רְגַז prefigures the greater judgment borne by Jesus. On the cross He became the propitiation for sins (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2), satisfying divine wrath while upholding divine justice. Thus the one occurrence in Ezra points forward to the gospel remedy: “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

Practical Reflection

God’s anger is neither the random outburst of a tyrant nor a relic of Old Testament severity. It is the consistent, ethical response of the Holy One to covenant violation. Recognizing this equips believers to hate sin, cherish grace, and labor for holiness while awaiting the day when “righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

הַרְגִּ֤זוּ הרגזו har·gi·zū harGizu hargizūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts