Bible Dictionary
Anger
Anger is displeasure arising in response to perceived evil. It is not necessarily sinful, but becomes wrong when it is causeless, excessive, vindictive, or prolonged; God’s anger signifies His holy opposition to sin.
Definition
Anger is the emotion of displeasure aroused by something perceived as evil. In itself it is not necessarily sinful, but it becomes sinful when it is causeless, excessive, vindictive, self-regarding, or prolonged. Divine anger denotes God’s holy displeasure with sin.
Biblical Usage
Scripture warns people against anger, commends being slow to anger, and commands believers to put away vindictive anger and personal revenge. God’s anger is the holy response to outbreaking sin and, when expressed in action, is described as wrath.
Historical Background
The Old Testament uses several Hebrew terms for anger, especially one associated literally with the nostril or countenance. The New Testament uses the word less often, frequently employing “wrath” instead.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The emotion of instant displeasure on account of something evil that presents itself to our view. In itself it is an original susceptibility of our nature, just as love is, and is not necessarily sinful. It may, however, become sinful when causeless, or excessive, or protracted (Matt. 5:22; Eph. 4:26; Col. 3:8). As ascribed to God, it merely denotes his displeasure with sin and with sinners (Ps. 7:11).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>an'-ger: In the Old Testament, the translation of several Hebrew words, especially of 'aph (lit. "nostril," "countenance"), which is used some 45 times of human, 177 times of Divine, anger (OHL). The word occurs rarely in the New Testament (Mr 3:5; Eph 4:31; Col 3:8; Re 14:10), its place being taken by the word "wrath" (see WRATH). As a translation of words denoting God's "anger," the English word is unfortunate so far as it may seem to imply selfish, malicious or vindictive personal feeling. The anger of God is the response of His holiness to outbreaking sin. Particularly when it culminates in action is it rightly called Has "wrath." The Old Testament doctrine of God's anger is contained in many passages in the Pentateuch, Psalms and the Prophets. In Proverbs men are dissuaded from anger (Pr 15:1; 27:4), and the "slow to anger" is commended (Pr 15:18; 16:32; 19:11). Christians axe enjoined to put away the feeling of self-regarding, vindictive anger (Eph 4:31; Col 3:8), and to cherish no desire of personal revenge (Eph 4:26).</p><p>F. K. Farr</p>