Topical Bible: Provoking

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of the Bible, "provoking" often refers to actions or behaviors that incite anger, irritation, or a strong emotional response. The concept is addressed in various passages, highlighting both the negative consequences of provoking others and the importance of self-control and love in interpersonal relationships.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently addresses the theme of provoking God through disobedience and idolatry. In Deuteronomy 9:7, Moses reminds the Israelites of their rebellious nature: "Remember this and never forget how you provoked the LORD your God to anger in the wilderness. From the day you left the land of Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the LORD." This passage underscores the seriousness of provoking God through disobedience and the need for repentance and faithfulness.

The Israelites' idolatry is another form of provocation. In 1 Kings 14:9, Jeroboam is rebuked for his actions: "You have done more evil than all who came before you. You have made for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me to anger, and you have cast Me behind your back." Here, provoking God is linked to the worship of false gods, which is seen as a direct affront to His holiness and sovereignty.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of provoking is often related to interpersonal relationships and the Christian community. Ephesians 6:4 advises, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse highlights the responsibility of parents to nurture their children in a way that fosters respect and understanding, rather than anger and resentment.

Similarly, Colossians 3:21 echoes this sentiment: "Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged." The emphasis here is on the importance of encouragement and positive reinforcement in parenting, avoiding actions that might lead to discouragement or bitterness.

Theological Implications

Provoking, in a biblical sense, often carries a negative connotation, associated with actions that lead to conflict, anger, or divine displeasure. The Bible encourages believers to avoid provoking others, whether it be God through disobedience or fellow humans through unkindness or insensitivity.

The call to love and self-control is central to the Christian life. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These virtues stand in contrast to provoking behavior and are essential for maintaining harmony within the Christian community and in one's relationship with God.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to examine their actions and attitudes to ensure they are not provoking others unnecessarily. This involves practicing patience, understanding, and forgiveness, as well as seeking reconciliation when conflicts arise. By embodying the love and grace of Christ, Christians can avoid the pitfalls of provocation and foster a spirit of unity and peace.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Provoke.

2. (a.) Having the power or quality of exciting resentment; tending to awaken passion or vexation; as, provoking words or treatment.

Strong's Hebrew

3707. kaas -- to be vexed or angry
... to anger (1), provoked (7), provoked him to anger (2), provoked me to anger (2),
provoked the to anger (1), provoked to anger (1), provoking (7), provoking him ...
/hebrew/3707.htm - 6k

4784. marah -- to be contentious or rebellious
... rebels (2), very rebellious (1). bitter, change, be disobedient, disobey,
grievously, provocation, provoking. A primitive root; to be ...
/hebrew/4784.htm - 6k

Library

Provoking Each Other to Love and Good Works.
... PROVOKING EACH OTHER TO LOVE AND GOOD WORKS. ... Why is this, and whence also the need,
in addition to provoking to love, of special incitements to good works? ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xxiv provoking each other to.htm

Psalm LXVIII.
... they had not. "Likewise men provoking that dwell in the tombs:" that is,
every way dead, taken up with dead works. For these men ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxviii.htm

Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
... to the shame of our age, is now so much in fashion, and with some men in vogue;
the invoking God's name, appealing to His testimony, and provoking His judgment ...
/.../sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/against rash and vain swearing.htm

Secondly, to Assign Some Reasons Why Christians must Make this the ...
... several considerations: 1. The glory of God is much concerned. Heart-evils
are very provoking evils to the Lord. The Schools correctly ...
/.../flavel/on keeping the heart/secondly to assign some reasons.htm

A Kingdom's Epitaph
... Before it, verses 7-12, narrate Israel's sin, which culminates in provoking
the Lord to anger (ver.11). After it, the sins are reiterated ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm

Why are Men Saved?
... the next place, they were an ungrateful people""they remembered not the multitude
of thy mercies." In the third place, they were a provoking people""they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/why are men saved.htm

"And He is the Propitiation,"
... There is a provoking quality in it, fit to alienate the holy heart of God, and to
incense his indignation, which, when once it is kindled who can stand before ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxvii and he is.htm

A Moment's Flashing Glance of Half-Amused Dismay at Angela...
... Now Sylvie, your friend Sylvie"is so distinctly charming that she becomes provoking
and irritating. I am sure she has told you I am a terrible villain . . .". ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xii a moments flashing glance.htm

The Right Understanding of the Law
... It is highly provoking to God to bring any superstitious ceremony into his worship
which he has not prescribed; it is to tax God's wisdom, as if he were not ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/1 4 the right understanding of.htm

How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
... For the cunning adversary wages war against two; that is, by inflaming one to be
the first to offer insults, and provoking the other to return insults under a ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter ix how the impatient.htm

Thesaurus

Provoking (29 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Having the power or quality of exciting resentment; tending to awaken passion
or vexation; as, provoking words or treatment. ...Provoking (29 Occurrences). ...
/p/provoking.htm - 16k

Provocation (20 Occurrences)
... An example of the good sense of the word is in Hebrews 10:24, "Consider one another
to provoke (literally, "to the provoking," here paroxusmos) unto love and ...
/p/provocation.htm - 15k

Provoke (64 Occurrences)
... An example of the good sense of the word is in Hebrews 10:24, "Consider one another
to provoke (literally, "to the provoking," here paroxusmos) unto love and ...
/p/provoke.htm - 31k

Provoketh (7 Occurrences)

/p/provoketh.htm - 8k

Provoked (70 Occurrences)
... Israel out of this good land, which He gave to their fathers, and will scatter them
beyond the River; because they have made their Asherim, provoking the LORD. ...
/p/provoked.htm - 28k

Vainglorious (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Vainglorious (1 Occurrence). Galatians 5:26 Let us not
become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another. (ASV). ...
/v/vainglorious.htm - 6k

Vain-glory (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Vain-glory (3 Occurrences). Galatians 5:26 Let us not
be desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (WBS). ...
/v/vain-glory.htm - 7k

Nabathaeans
... In 47 BC Malchus I assisted Caesar, but in 40 BC refused to assist Herod against
the Parthians, thus provoking both the Idumean Dynasty and the Romans. ...
/n/nabathaeans.htm - 11k

Nabataeans
... In 47 BC Malchus I assisted Caesar, but in 40 BC refused to assist Herod against
the Parthians, thus provoking both the Idumean Dynasty and the Romans. ...
/n/nabataeans.htm - 11k

Odious (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Causing or provoking hatred, repugnance, or disgust; offensive;
disagreeable; repulsive; as, an odious sight; an odious smell. ...
/o/odious.htm - 9k

Resources

Who was Rahab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about sorcery? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian view Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? | GotQuestions.org

Provoking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Provoking (29 Occurrences)

Galatians 5:26
Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another. Paul's Letter to the Philippians
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Hebrews 10:24
and let us consider one another for provoking to love and good works;
(DBY)

Deuteronomy 4:25
When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have been long in the land, and shall deal corruptly, and make a graven image, even the form of any thing, and shall do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke Him;
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 9:18
And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights; I did neither eat bread nor drink water; because of all your sin which ye sinned, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him.
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:29
For I know that after my death ye will in any wise deal corruptly, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the end of days; because ye will do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him through the work of your hands.'
(See NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 32:19
And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.
(KJV JPS DBY WBS)

1 Samuel 1:6
and her adversity hath also provoked her greatly, so as to make her tremble, for Jehovah hath shut up her womb.
(See NIV)

1 Kings 14:9
but hast done evil above all that were before thee, and hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke Me, and hast cast Me behind thy back;
(See RSV)

1 Kings 14:15
For Yahweh will strike Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water; and he will root up Israel out of this good land which he gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the River, because they have made their Asherim, provoking Yahweh to anger.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

1 Kings 16:2
Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel, and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, provoking me to anger with their sins;
(DBY NAS RSV)

1 Kings 16:7
And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.
(KJV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 16:13
For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities.
(KJV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

1 Kings 16:26
And he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sins wherewith he made Israel to sin, provoking Jehovah the God of Israel to anger with their vanities.
(DBY NAS RSV)

2 Kings 17:11
and there they offered in all the high places, as did the nations whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD;
(See NAS RSV)

2 Kings 17:17
and they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and gave themselves over to do that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him;
(See NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 21:6
And he made his son to pass through the fire, and practised soothsaying, and used enchantments, and appointed them that divined by a ghost or a familiar spirit: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 21:15
because that they have done the evil thing in Mine eyes, and are provoking Me to anger from the day that their fathers came out of Egypt, even unto this day.'
(YLT NAS)

2 Kings 23:19
And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el.
(See NAS RSV)

2 Chronicles 28:25
And in every city of Judah he made high places to offer unto other gods, and provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers.
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 33:6
He also made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom; and he practised soothsaying, and used enchantments, and practised sorcery, and appointed them that divined by a ghost or a familiar spirit; he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Job 12:6
At peace are the tents of spoilers, And those provoking God have confidence, He into whose hand God hath brought.
(YLT)

Psalms 78:17
And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Isaiah 65:3
The people who are provoking Me to anger, To My face continually, Sacrificing in gardens, and making perfume on the bricks:
(YLT)

Jeremiah 7:19
Me are they provoking to anger? an affirmation of Jehovah, Is it not themselves, For the shame of their own faces?
(YLT NIV)

Jeremiah 11:17
For Yahweh of Armies, who planted you, has pronounced evil against you, because of the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have worked for themselves in provoking me to anger by offering incense to Baal.
(WEB JPS ASV RSV)

Jeremiah 32:30
For the sons of Israel and the sons of Judah have been only doing evil in Mine eyes, from their youth; for the sons of Israel are only provoking Me with the work of their hands -- an affirmation of Jehovah.
(YLT NAS)

Jeremiah 44:3
because of their wickedness that they have done, by provoking Me to anger, by going to make perfume, by serving other gods, that they knew not, they, ye, and your fathers.
(YLT RSV)

Jeremiah 44:8
provoking me to anger with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye are come to sojourn, that ye should be cut off, and that ye should be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?
(DBY YLT NAS)

Ezekiel 8:17
And he said unto me, Seest thou, son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here, that they yet fill the land with violence, and keep provoking me afresh to anger? And behold, they put the branch to their nose.
(DBY)

Subtopics

Provoking

Related Terms

Provoking (29 Occurrences)

Wishing (25 Occurrences)

Forepart (6 Occurrences)

Figurehead (1 Occurrence)

Ram (96 Occurrences)

Main-sail

Mainsail (1 Occurrence)

Prowl (6 Occurrences)

Phaselis