Topical Encyclopedia
The term "indignant" refers to a feeling of strong displeasure or anger aroused by something perceived as unjust, offensive, or insulting. In the context of the Bible, indignation is often associated with a righteous response to sin, injustice, or idolatry. It is important to distinguish between human indignation, which can be flawed and self-centered, and divine indignation, which is perfectly just and holy.
Biblical Instances of Indignation1.
Jesus' Indignation: One of the most notable instances of indignation in the New Testament is when Jesus expressed anger at the disciples for hindering children from coming to Him. In
Mark 10:14 , it is recorded, "When Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'" Here, Jesus' indignation is directed at the disciples' misunderstanding of the value and importance of children in the kingdom of God.
2.
God's Indignation: The Old Testament frequently describes God's indignation against sin and idolatry. In
Isaiah 10:5-6 , God expresses His indignation through the prophet Isaiah: "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to seize the spoil and carry off the plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets." Here, God's indignation is portrayed as a righteous response to the sinfulness of nations.
3.
Human Indignation: Human indignation is also depicted in the Bible, though it is often flawed. For example, in
Jonah 4:1 , Jonah becomes indignant when God spares Nineveh: "But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry." Jonah's indignation reveals his struggle with understanding God's mercy and justice.
Theological ImplicationsIndignation in the Bible underscores the importance of aligning one's sense of justice with God's righteousness. While human indignation can be tainted by personal bias and sin, divine indignation is always rooted in holiness and justice. Believers are called to reflect God's character, which includes a righteous anger against sin and injustice, while also exercising grace and mercy.
Practical ApplicationChristians are encouraged to examine their own feelings of indignation to ensure they are motivated by a desire for God's justice rather than personal vendettas or self-righteousness.
Ephesians 4:26 advises, "Be angry, yet do not sin. Do not let the sun set upon your anger." This verse highlights the need for self-control and reconciliation, even when experiencing righteous indignation.
In summary, indignation in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's perfect justice and the call for believers to pursue righteousness while maintaining humility and grace.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Displeased; annoyed; exasperated; affected with indignation; wrathful; passionate; irate; feeling wrath, as when a person is exasperated by unworthy or unjust treatment, by a mean action, or by a degrading accusation.
Greek
23. aganakteo -- to grieve much, hence to be indignant ... to grieve much, hence to be
indignant. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aganakteo
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-an-ak-teh'-o) Short Definition: I am angry, am
... 1690. embrimaomai -- to be moved with anger, to admonish sternly
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: embrimaomai Phonetic Spelling: (em-brim-ah'-
om-ahee) Short Definition: I snort, express indignant displeasure Definition ...
4624. skandalizo -- to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to ...
... Phonetic Spelling: (skan-dal-id'-zo) Short Definition: I cause to stumble Definition:
I cause to stumble, cause to sin, cause to become indignant, shock, offend ...
4360. prosochthizo -- to be angry with
... be grieved at. From pros and a form of ochtheo (to be vexed with something irksome);
to feel indignant at -- be grieved at. see GREEK pros. ...
Strong's Hebrew
2194. zaam -- to be indignant... 2193, 2194. zaam. 2195 . to be
indignant. Transliteration: zaam Phonetic Spelling:
(zaw-am') Short Definition: cursed. Word Origin a prim.
... 1149. benas -- to be angry
... to be angry. Transliteration: benas Phonetic Spelling: (ben-as') Short Definition:
indignant. ... root Definition to be angry NASB Word Usage became indignant (1). ...
8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve
... heed (1), guard (20), guarded (7), guards (4), guardsmen (1), have charge (1), heed
to yourself and keep (1), heeds (1), hoarded (1), indignant (1), keep (156 ...
3707. kaas -- to be vexed or angry
... A primitive root; to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant -- be
angry, be grieved, take indignation, provoke (to anger, unto wrath), have ...
Library
Ep. Lxxvii. I Hear that You are Indignant at the Outrages which ...
... Division III. Miscellaneous Letters. Ep. LXXVII. I hear that you are
indignant at the outrages which have been committed on us? ...
Eutyches is Indignant
... BOOK II CHAPTER XXIX EUTYCHES IS INDIGNANT. ... But such a tornado of brutalities and
insults roused even the gentler spirit of Eutyches to indignant revolt. ...
The Emperor Indignant at the Murder of George, Rebukes the ...
... Book III. Chapter III."The Emperor Indignant at the Murder of George, rebukes
the Alexandrians by Letter. The emperor being highly ...
Indignant Irony Exposing the Valentinian Fable About the Judicial ...
... Chapter XXXII."Indignant Irony Exposing the Valentinian Fable About the Judicial
Treatment of Mankind at the Last Judgment. The Immorality of the Doctrine. ...
Who is on the Lord's Side? Exodus 32:26.
... As they are indignant at sin in themselves, they are just as much so when they see
it in others. They know its horrible nature, and abhor it always. ...
John Chapter v. 19
... 2. Now the Jews were moved and indignant: justly, indeed, because a man dared to
make himself equal with God; but unjustly in this, because in the man they ...
Let Her Pout it Out.
... It will teach her a good lesson.". Louisa spoke with indignant warmth. ... "And you left
the house on the instant?" Louisa said, in an indignant tone. ...
Acts IV
... 1) "And while they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the captain of
the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, (2) being indignant that they ...
The Displeasure of Jesus.
... of the word [Greek: embrimaomai] in pagan use, 'I am moved with anger,' 'I roar
or growl,' 'I snort at,' 'I am vehemently angry or indignant with some one ...
The Massacre
... cleave her head. Indignant at such treatment of an old and well-known figure,
a Roman struck the Goth to the ground. Then the Goths ...
Thesaurus
Indignant (22 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Indignant (22 Occurrences). Matthew 20:24 When the ten
heard it, they were
indignant with the two brothers. (WEB DBY NAS RSV NIV).
...Indignantly (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In an indignant manner. Multi-Version
Concordance Indignantly (3 Occurrences). Matthew 26:8 "Why ...
Pierced (63 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Numbers 23:8 What -- do I pierce? -- God hath not pierced! And what --
am I indignant? -- Jehovah hath not been indignant! (YLT). ...
Pierce (30 Occurrences)
... Numbers 23:8 What -- do I pierce? -- God hath not pierced! And what --
am I indignant? -- Jehovah hath not been indignant! (YLT). ...
Waste (668 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 26:8 But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying,
"Why this waste? (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
Official (45 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:14 The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed
on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, "There are six days in which men ought ...
Ought (130 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:14 The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed
on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, "There are six days in which men ought ...
Ointment (29 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Mark 14:4 But there were some who were indignant
among themselves, saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted? ...
Wasted (106 Occurrences)
... Wasted (106 Occurrences). Mark 14:4 But there were some who were indignant among
themselves, saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted? (WEB WEY BBE NAS RSV). ...
Warden (8 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:14 Then the Warden of the Synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured her
on a Sabbath, said to the crowd, "There are six days in the week on which ...
Resources
What does the Bible say about the evangelization of children? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus loves the little children? | GotQuestions.orgHow did Jesus interact with children? | GotQuestions.orgIndignant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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