Fret is a word that’s uncommon in today’s world. However, the word fret is used over and over again in the Old Testament. I remember I thought that it meant to worry about something. Yet, that’s not true at all. It’s a much more heated emotion than worry. Let’s take a look at what the word fret means in Hebrew.
All scriptures are taken from NKJV unless otherwise marked.
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.“
– Psalm 37:7
What Does The Word ‘Fret’ Mean In Hebrew?
charah- to blaze up.
This word means “to get angry, be angry.” In its basic sense, it refers to the “burning of anger” found in the following scripture:
“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry.”
– Jonah 4:1
However, charah can also mean to become heated with work or with a zeal for work.
Related: What Does The Word ‘Evildoer’ Mean In Hebrew and Greek?
qatsaph- to burst out in rage.
As a verb, qatsaph means “to be wroth, angry.” The general meaning of the word is a strong emotional outburst of anger.
This word is used eleven times to describe man’s anger and eighteen times to refer to God’s anger.
“For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which the Lord was angry with you, to destroy you. But the Lord listened to me at that time also.”
– Deuteronomy 9:19
ra’am- to crash thunder; to irritate; to be violently agitated.
Conclusion
“For the indignation of the Lord is against all nations,
And His fury against all their armies;
He has utterly destroyed them,
He has given them over to the slaughter.“
– Isaiah 34:2
Contrary to what I previously thought, the word fret is a wave of burning anger. It can lead to violence and crime. The bible is very clear about us not fretting over evildoers and trusting the Lord for our justice.
That’s what the word fret means in Hebrew. I pray you found this article helpful. If so, please share this content. Also, feel free to share any thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for reading.
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Wow. I saw myself fret at the grocery store yesterday because a woman was saying the “F-word” in the grocery store. She had a violence about her; in hindsight, she was probably housing a demonic spirit. I was shocked by how I responded. Initially, I thought she was an employee, and I wanted her to be written up. Then, I tried to help her. As she left the store, the anger rose within me, and she wanted to “take it outside”. This exchange has been weighing heavily on me. I have never seen that behavior in myself (I’m also going through a divorce, so I’m emotionally unstable. Nevertheless, I know anger already residing in the heart is what comes out.) I’m grateful for your comprehensive yet concise definition of what “fret” means. Thank you.
Wow , I’m amazed at your insight of your own heart. In my own life I’ve come to recognize that this is one of the reasons why God allows these situations to occur . So that we see what is in our own heart and that it can be acknowledged and prayed over and given to the Lord . This is the scripture Psalm 139: 23,24 that the Lord gave me for my own anger once He revealed it .He had led me to pray this for many years before He began to show me it’s meaning . It is a wicked way in our hearts ( anger ) and God desires us to cleansed and go in the way everlasting. Righteous anger has it’s place but even here we are not to sin in it . I was led to share this with you . Hope it is of help at this time. 💕
With all that is going on in the world (Isaiah 5:20) – so much evil behavior seemingly going unchecked – I find myself at times “fretting”. They “don’t know how to blush” (Jeremiah 6:15). I have to stop myself and focus on the One who is Sovereign, truly in charge of it all. I was reading this Scripture this morning and the word “fret” jumped out at me. I needed to know what the Hebrew translation is in context for that word. By fretting I feel I am not trusting in the Lord the way I want to or in the way that would glorify Him. Thank you.