📖 Biblical Definition
"Slow to anger" is the Hebrew erekh appayim, literally "long of nostrils" — a vivid Semitic idiom for delayed flaring. The image is the nose taking a long time to redden. It is YHWH’s recurring self-description in Exodus 34:6: "The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering [erekh appayim], and abundant in goodness and truth" — quoted across the Psalms (86:15; 103:8; 145:8), prophets (Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2), and gospel writers. Wisdom commands the saint to imitate it: "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly" (Proverbs 14:29); "slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God" (James 1:19-20).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
"Long of nostrils" — YHWH's character; saint's discipline.
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Hebrew erekh appayim — literally "long of nostrils" or "long of breath." The image: anger flares in the nose; long-nostrils means anger does not flare quickly. YHWH's recurring self-description in Exodus 34:6 (the Mosaic theophany of mercy), Numbers 14:18 (Moses' intercession-quote), Psalm 86:15, 103:8, 145:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2, Nahum 1:3. The discipline is commanded for the saint: "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding" (Prov 14:29); "slow to wrath" (Jas 1:19). Christian patience is imitation of YHWH's long-of-nostrils character.
📖 Key Scripture
Exodus 34:6 — "And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth."
Proverbs 14:29 — "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."
James 1:19 — "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern anger-culture treats slow-to-anger as suppression; Hebrew imagines it as breath-length and YHWH-imitation.
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Therapy culture sometimes treats slow-to-anger as suppression that causes harm later. Hebrew imagines something different: not suppression of anger but length-of-breath before anger flares. The angry response gets time to be examined; not every offense gets full anger; some get less.
Recover the imitation: YHWH is slow to anger. The saint imitates by lengthening the breath before reacting. Not suppression; calibration.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew erekh appayim.
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['Hebrew', 'H750', 'erekh', 'long, slow']
['Hebrew', 'H639', 'aph', 'nostril, anger']
Usage
"Long of nostrils — YHWH's character."
"Slow to wrath is great understanding."
"Imitation of divine patience."