חָרָה

From the study of Isaiah 41:11

Range of meaning

Basic idea: to burn, be hot, used almost always of anger ('his anger burned'). This rare passive-reflexive form means 'to be incensed, to burn with anger against'. It occurs elsewhere only in Isa 45:24 and Song 1:6.

Against the English

'Rage against' (BSB, NIV), 'incensed against' (KJV, ESV, WEB), 'angered at' (NASB) are all reasonable. Each loses the picture of heat, though 'incensed' (literally 'set on fire') keeps a trace of it.

Used elsewhere in the period

Isa 45:24 uses the identical phrase of God: 'all who were incensed against him (kol hanneḥĕrîm bô) will come and be ashamed (yēbōšû)'. Song 1:6: 'my mother's sons were angry with me'.

From the study of Isaiah 45:24

Range of meaning

From ḥarah, "to burn, become hot", used almost always of anger: "his anger burned". This passive-reflexive participle occurs only here and in Isaiah 41:11. It means "those who are inflamed" or "those who seethe" against someone.

Against the English

BSB: "rage against"; KJV: "are incensed against"; WEB: "raged against"; YLT: "displeased with", which is too weak. The Septuagint has "those who separate themselves" (aphorizontes heautous). This is either an interpretation or a reading of a different Hebrew word.

Used elsewhere in the period

Isaiah 41:11 has the same participle for the nations hostile to Israel, also paired with bosh ("be ashamed"). The deliberate echo ties the enemies of Israel to the enemies of YHWH.

From the study of Numbers 22:22

Range of meaning

'The nose burned': the standard Hebrew idiom for intense anger, human (Gen 30:2; 39:19) or divine (Exod 4:14; Num 11:1, 10; 25:3). ʾAf means nose or nostrils. Its dual form ʾappayim can mean 'face' or the 'long-nosed' patience of Exod 34:6 ('slow to anger').

Against the English

'Anger was kindled' (KJV, BSB) keeps the fire image. 'Burned' (WEB) is closer still. Some modern versions simply say 'was very angry', which loses the heat and breath picture.

Used elsewhere in the period

The idiom is common across the Torah. In Numbers it usually comes before a judgment (11:1, 10, 33; 12:9; 25:3; 32:10, 13). Here, unusually, the anger leads to obstruction and a warning, not death.