The Hebrew verb qatsaph means to be angry, to be wrathful, to be furious. The related noun qetseph (H7110) means wrath or anger. The word is used of both human anger and divine wrath, describing intense displeasure that often motivates punitive action.
The divine wrath expressed through qatsaph is consistently connected to covenant violation. When Israel worshipped the golden calf, 'the LORD was angry' (Deuteronomy 9:8). This reveals that divine wrath is not capricious but covenantally structured — the righteous reaction of a faithful God to unfaithfulness.
Isaiah 57:16–17 provides one of Scripture's most tender treatments: 'I was enraged... I was angry and punished them... yet I will heal them.' The God whose wrath burns against sin is the same God who heals — His healing purposes ultimately triumph over His wrath.