Bible Strands
Zechariah 1:15
but I am fiercely angry with the nations that are at ease. For I was a little angry, but they have added to the calamity.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The angel of the Lord relays the LORD of Hosts’ message to Zechariah, contrasting divine jealousy for Zion with judgment on complacent nations, immediately before announcing God’s return with mercy to rebuild Jerusalem.
The words — The Hebrew קֶ֤צֶף (qetsef) literally means “anger,” intensified by גָּדוֹל (gadol) for “great” or “fierce,” while הַ/שַּֽׁאֲנַנִּ֑ים (haššānannîm) denotes those who are “at ease” or complacent.
The thread — This pattern of divine anger against hostile or indifferent nations followed by measured restoration runs through Jeremiah 51:24, Ezekiel 25:12, and Isaiah 54:8.
Why it lands — The text states that God’s brief anger was exceeded by the nations’ own addition to the calamity, demanding the reader recognize that human exploitation of divine discipline does not escape judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 51:24 Before your very eyes I will repay Babylon and all the dwellers of Chaldea for all the evil they have done in Zion,” declares the LORD.
- Ezekiel 25:12 This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt,
- Isaiah 54:8 In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.
- Isaiah 47:6 I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke.
- Psalms 69:26 For they persecute the one You struck and recount the pain of those You wounded.
- Psalms 83:2 See how Your enemies rage, how Your foes have reared their heads.
- Psalms 123:4 We have endured much scorn from the arrogant, much contempt from the proud.
- Isaiah 10:5 Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath.
- Jeremiah 48:11 Moab has been at ease from youth, settled like wine on its dregs; he has not been poured from vessel to vessel or gone into exile. So his flavor has remained the same, and his aroma is unchanged.
- Obadiah 1:10 Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever.