The adjective arek means 'long' in its most literal sense, but its most theologically significant usage is in the compound phrase erek appayim — 'long of nostrils/anger' — which describes divine patience or forbearance. This is one of the key terms used to describe God's character in the famous self-disclosure of Exodus 34:6.
The phrase erek appayim (slow to anger) occurs repeatedly in descriptions of God's character and was a source of profound comfort and challenge in Israel. God's longsuffering patience toward sinners is presented as both grace and a call to repentance. Jonah's frustration (Jonah 4:2) ironically quotes this divine attribute — he knew God would extend mercy to Nineveh. Paul echoes this concept with makrothumia in the New Testament.