The term "provoketh" is an archaic form of the verb "provoke," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. In the Berean Standard Bible , the concept of provoking is often associated with inciting anger, stirring up emotions, or challenging someone to action. The term is used both in the context of human relationships and in humanity's relationship with God.

Provoking God:

In the Old Testament, the Israelites are frequently described as provoking God through their disobedience and idolatry. This provocation is not merely an emotional response but a serious breach of the covenant relationship between God and His people. For instance, in Deuteronomy 9:7 , Moses reminds the Israelites, "Remember this and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God in the wilderness. From the day you left the land of Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebelling against the LORD." This passage highlights the continuous nature of Israel's rebellion and the resulting divine displeasure.

The prophets also speak of provocation in terms of idolatry and injustice. In Isaiah 65:3 , God describes the people as "a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick." Here, the provocation is linked to false worship and practices that are abominable to God.

Provoking Others:

In human relationships, provoking can have both negative and positive connotations. Negatively, it can refer to actions that incite anger or resentment. Proverbs 15:1 advises, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." This verse underscores the idea that provoking others through harsh words can lead to conflict and discord.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul warns against provoking others to anger, particularly within the family context. Ephesians 6:4 instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This admonition emphasizes the importance of nurturing and guiding children in a manner that fosters respect and understanding rather than resentment.

Provoking to Good Works:

Conversely, provoking can also have a positive aspect when it involves encouraging others to love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 states, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds." In this context, provoking is seen as a means of motivating and inspiring fellow believers to live out their faith actively and positively.

Conclusion:

The concept of "provoketh" in the Bible encompasses a range of interactions, from the negative provocation of anger and rebellion to the positive encouragement of love and good works. Understanding the context and intent behind provocation is crucial for interpreting its implications in both divine and human relationships.

The Testament of Asher Concerning Two Faces of vice and virtue.
... Defrauding his neighbour he provoketh God, and sweareth falsely against the Most
High, and yet pitieth the poor: the Lord who commandeth the law he setteth at ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/x the testament of asher concerning.htm

His Rejection by the Jews Foretold.
... My hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people, to those who walked in a way that
is not good, but follow after their own sins; a people that provoketh Me to ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter xlix his rejection by the.htm

A String of Pearls
... is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not
wise.2. The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a string of pearls.htm

The Christians' Circumcision Far More Excellent.
... own sins. It is a people that provoketh Me to my face.' [2008]. Footnotes:
[2006] Joshua 5:2; Isaiah 26:2, 3. [2007] Isaiah 65:1-3. ...
/.../chapter xxiv the christians circumcision far.htm

Whether Anger Should be Reckoned among the Capital vices?
... Objection 3: Further, a gloss on Prov.29:22, "An angry [Douay: 'passionate'] man
provoketh quarrels," says: "Anger is the door to all vices: if it be closed ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether anger should be reckoned.htm

A Jealous God
... In Ezekiel we find the false god described as "the image of jealousy which provoketh
to jealousy," and the doom on Jerusalem for thus turning from Jehovah runs ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

If You Wish Me to Keep Silence, Cease from Accusing Me. Lay Down ...
... before a fall. [3233] He who closeth his eyes speaketh perverse things,
and provoketh all evil with his lips. [3234] The lips of ...
/.../43 if you wish me.htm

How Shall the Soul Make Use of Christ, as the Life, which is under ...
... And this provoketh God to hide his face, as Psalm 30.p>2. Self-confidence, a
concomitant of pride, supposing themselves to be so well rooted that they cannot ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxiv how shall the.htm

2 Thessalonians iii. 5-Mar
... "He that dishonoreth the poor," it says, "provoketh his Maker." (Proverbs 14:12,
31, Sept.) For tell me, did He suffer him to be poor for thy sake, that thou ...
/.../homily v 2 thessalonians iii.htm

Psalm XCV.
... For this was I with them forty years, to show such a race of men, which alway provoketh
Me, even unto the end of the world: because by those forty years He ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcv.htm

Provoketh (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Provoketh (7 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 1:7 And so
he doth year by year, from the time of her going up into ...
/p/provoketh.htm - 8k

Provoking (29 Occurrences)

/p/provoking.htm - 16k

Windy (3 Occurrences)
... (See JPS DBY NAS RSV). Job 16:3 Shall vain words have an end? Or what provoketh
thee that thou answerest? (See JPS NAS RSV). Psalms ...
/w/windy.htm - 7k

Weepeth (29 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 1:7 And so he doth year by year, from the time of her going up into the
house of Jehovah, so it provoketh her, and she weepeth, and doth not eat. ...
/w/weepeth.htm - 15k

Forfeiteth (1 Occurrence)
... Forfeiteth (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 20:2 The terror of a king is as the roaring
of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life. ...
/f/forfeiteth.htm - 6k

Provocation (20 Occurrences)
... 9:2), "stirred up"; "provoked within" for "stirred in" (Acts 17:16); "provoked"
for "limited" (Psalm 78:41 margin, "limited"); "provoketh" for "emboldeneth ...
/p/provocation.htm - 15k

Provoke (64 Occurrences)
... 9:2), "stirred up"; "provoked within" for "stirred in" (Acts 17:16); "provoked"
for "limited" (Psalm 78:41 margin, "limited"); "provoketh" for "emboldeneth ...
/p/provoke.htm - 31k

Provokes (4 Occurrences)

/p/provokes.htm - 7k

Angers (2 Occurrences)
... DBY). Proverbs 20:2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he
that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life. (See NIV). ...
/a/angers.htm - 6k

Serveth (24 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 1 Kings 22:53 and serveth the Baal, and boweth himself to it, and provoketh
Jehovah, God of Israel, according to all that his father had done. (YLT). ...
/s/serveth.htm - 13k

What is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus