Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry (אַל־תְּבַהֵל בְּרוּחֲךָ לִכְעוֹס, al-tevahal be'ruchakha likhos)—'Hasty' (tevahal) means to rush recklessly or act impulsively. The command warns against giving in to immediate emotional reactions. 'Spirit' (ruach) here is the seat of emotions and will, while 'anger' (ka'as) denotes vexation, frustration, or rage.
For anger resteth in the bosom of fools (כִּי כַעַס בְּחֵיק כְּסִילִים יָנוּחַ, ki kha'as becheq kesilim yanuach)—The verb 'resteth' (yanuach) means 'settles down' or 'dwells permanently.' The 'bosom' (cheq) is the chest or heart, where one harbors emotions. 'Fools' (kesilim) are not merely ignorant but morally deficient—those who reject wisdom. While righteous indignation has its place (Ephesians 4:26), nursing anger reveals foolishness. James 1:19-20 echoes this: 'Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.'
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom literature across cultures valued emotional self-control as a mark of maturity. Proverbs repeatedly contrasts the quick-tempered fool with the wise person who restrains anger (Proverbs 14:17, 29; 15:18; 19:11). In Mediterranean honor-shame cultures, public displays of anger were common as means of asserting honor or responding to perceived slights. Yet biblical wisdom consistently elevates self-control above reactivity. The rabbis later developed extensive teaching on controlling the yetzer hara (evil inclination), especially regarding anger. This verse anticipates Jesus's teaching that anger itself can be sinful (Matthew 5:22) and Paul's command to 'put off' anger (Colossians 3:8).
Questions for Reflection
What situations or people trigger your immediate anger? How might you cultivate 'slowness to anger' in those contexts?
Is there anger you've allowed to 'rest in your bosom' rather than quickly resolving? What steps toward forgiveness and release do you need to take?
Analysis & Commentary
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry (אַל־תְּבַהֵל בְּרוּחֲךָ לִכְעוֹס, al-tevahal be'ruchakha likhos)—'Hasty' (tevahal) means to rush recklessly or act impulsively. The command warns against giving in to immediate emotional reactions. 'Spirit' (ruach) here is the seat of emotions and will, while 'anger' (ka'as) denotes vexation, frustration, or rage.
For anger resteth in the bosom of fools (כִּי כַעַס בְּחֵיק כְּסִילִים יָנוּחַ, ki kha'as becheq kesilim yanuach)—The verb 'resteth' (yanuach) means 'settles down' or 'dwells permanently.' The 'bosom' (cheq) is the chest or heart, where one harbors emotions. 'Fools' (kesilim) are not merely ignorant but morally deficient—those who reject wisdom. While righteous indignation has its place (Ephesians 4:26), nursing anger reveals foolishness. James 1:19-20 echoes this: 'Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.'