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UNDERSTANDING the HEBREW WORDS, "AREK AF ארך אף" - [Sermon Note]

Pastor Deborah




EXODUS 34:6 KJV

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed,

The LORD, The LORD GOD, merciful and gracious,

LONG-SUFFERING, and abundant in goodness and truth,


H750 long-suffering

Original: ארך

Transliteration: 'ÂRÊK

Phonetic: aw-rake'

Strong's Definition: From H748; long:- LONG [-suffering, -winged], patient, SLOW [to ANGER].


H639

Original: אף

Transliteration: 'aph

Phonetic: af

Strong's Definition: From H599 the NOSE or NOSTRIL;

hence the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire:- anger (-gry), + before, countenance, face, + forbearing, forehead, + [long-] suffering, nose, nostril, snout, X worthy, wrath.


The characteristic "slow to anger" is unique because of the covenant betrayal of the golden calf incident and because it highlights God’s reaction to evil.


The biblical meaning of the Hebrew idiom for patience, which can also be translated as “longsuffering” or “slow to anger.”


The phrase is ’erek ’appayim, which is literally translated as “long of nose.”


Anger (in Hebrew) - nose burn hot

When the Israelites build golden calf, God should be very angry, the sins has to be punished.

Yet despite that, God is Arek, slow to anger or “long of nose.”


Exodus 34:6 could be translated like this:

"Yahweh! The LORD!

The God of compassion and mercy!

I am long of nose

and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6)


In Biblical times, they expressed their feeling of anger by using the phrase “their nose burned hot.”


Just like when Potiphar learned that Joseph tried to sleep with his wife, “his nose burned hot” (Genesis 39:19).

Or, in English translation, “his anger burned.”


This is how your face gets hot when you are burning with anger.

So, in Hebrew, the main words for anger are ‘nose’ and ‘heat,’ or ‘hot nose.’


PROVERBS 19:11 AMP

Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].


PROVERBS 19:11 EASY

If someone is wise, he controls his anger.

When anyone hurts him, he is careful to forget it.


Quick to anger - no understanding.

Mercy also means hold his tongue.


PROVERBS 19:11 TPT

An understanding person demonstrates patience, for mercy means holding your tongue.

When you are insulted, be quick to forgive and forget it, for you are virtuous when you overlook an offense.


PROVERBS 19:11 MSG

Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.


God choose to forget our sins.

So, first we receive first His forgiveness.

He choose not to remember our sins, then only we can dispense Grace to others.


In Proverbs 19:11, “A person’s WISDOM is their LONG NOSE.”


Or in English translation, “A person’s WISDOM is their SLOW ANGER.”


Christianity is being implanted; a new heart transplant.


Arek - long nostril

Having patience, slow to anger one with long nose


When Israel cry out to God, God sent help to them.

God is showing mercy to them.


God can be angry because he is a just God.

He hates sin.

But it takes a long time for His nose to get red.


God has promises and love for Israel.


Hebrew Vs. English Meaning


In ENGLISH, having a long nose means you have a habit of lying.


But in HEBREW, it means you have a habit of BEING PATIENT.


That is why when a person is PATIENT, they refer to him as ‘LONG of NOSE.’

It will take a long time before his nose will get hot.


Though GOD’S NATURE is to be patient, he can be provoked.


PSALM 18:8 EASY

He breathed out smoke from his nose.

Fire and hot coals came out from his mouth, to destroy his enemies.


The psalmist evokes the image of flared nostrils and a nose that’s red with rage.


Because God is slow to anger, it takes a long time for his nose to get red.


DEUTERONOMY 29:27-28

They went off and worshiped other gods and bowed down to them, gods they did not know, gods he had not given them.

Therefore the Lord’s anger burned [lit. “his nose burned hot”] against this land, so that he brought on it all the curses written in this book.


In anger [‘ap / “nose”] wrath [khemah / “heat”] and in great anger [qetseph / “anger”] the Lord uprooted them from their land and thrust them into another land, as it is now.”


The King James Version of the Bible translates this characteristic as “long suffering.”

But in Hebrew, the phrase “slow to anger” comes from two Hebrew words.


The first word, ’erek, means “long,” in reference to distance or time.

The second word, ’appayim, is the Hebrew word for nostrils.


PSALM 103:8 KJV

The LORD is merciful (Rachum) and gracious (channûn), slow (ârêk) to anger ('aph), and plenteous in mercy (chêsêd).


Rachum: Womb - for protection and nutrients. For the baby before he/she was even born.

Chen - Grace

Arek - Slow to anger


ECCLESIASTES 7:8 KJV

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the PATIENT (arek) IN SPIRIT is better than the proud in spirit.


PROVERBS 14:29 NKJV

He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.


PROVERBS 14:29 EASY

A patient man shows that he UNDERSTANDS what is RIGHT. But someone who quickly becomes ANGRY shows that he is FOOLISH.


PROVERBS 14:29 TPT

When your heart overflows with understanding you’ll be very slow to get angry.


But if you have a quick temper, your impatience will be quickly seen by all.


Having Patience - will understand first.

King Solomon asked God for Shemma - (listening heart)

Listen to obey.

Having understanding and wisdom.


GALATIANS 5:16-17 EASY

So this is what I say:

Let God's Spirit show you how to live in a good way.

Then you will not do the wrong things that you may want to do, as people who are weak and human.


The things that YOU WANT to do as a weak person are OPPOSITE to the things that GOD'S SPIRIT WANTS.


GALATIANS 5:16-17 EASY

The things that God's Spirit wants are the opposite of what we want as weak people.


Our own THOUGHTS fight against what God's Spirit wants us to do.


As a result, you are not free to do the things that you really want to do.


Human nature is weak.

Adamic nature, it has died.

The old person will not want to do what God wants.


5 senses – Not saved.

Mind - Our own thoughts will oppose God, enemy to God.

God is inside our heart, after we renew this mind, we will begin to do what God wants.


Forgiveness:

- Mind will think someone did harm to us.

- Spirit knows God has forgiveness.

- Will: can choose whether to forgive or not.


In New covenant - Forgive one another as Christ has forgiven you.

New person wants to learn and grow.

Greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world.


Our minds can renew.

Our hearts wants to walk in God’s ways.


GALATIANS 5:18 EASY

But if God's Spirit LEADS you, then the rules of God's Law have no authority over you.


GALATIANS 5:18 TPT

But when you YIELD TO the life of the Spirit, you will no longer be living under the law, but soaring above it!


GALATIANS 5:18 MSG

Why don’t you CHOOSE to be LED by the SPIRIT and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence? * * *


We can choose to let the holy spirit lead us, let the word of God show us the truth.

The rules of God’s law will not have authority over us.


How do we overcome the work of the flesh?

How to live life of the spirit?


Living in the flesh won’t inherit the kingdom of God - which is righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

– cannot enjoy that, our heart knows it is wrong, we feel condemned


Many run away from God when peace is being disturbed.

But we can come to God to receive His Grace, His forgiveness, not dwell in condemnation and shame.

Get up and live again.

Live one day at a time.


GALATIANS 5:19 EASY

Everyone knows the kinds of bad things that weak people want to do.

They have sex with people that they are not married to.

They do things that are bad and disgusting.


GALATIANS 5:20-21 TPT

chasing after things instead of God, manipulating others, hatred of those who get in your way, senseless arguments, resentment when others are favored, TEMPER TANTRUMS, ANGRY QUARRELS, only thinking of Yourself, being in love with your own opinions, being envious of the blessings of others, murder, uncontrolled addictions, wild parties, and all other similar behavior.


Haven’t I already warned you that those who use their “freedom” for these things will not inherit the kingdom realm of God!



GALATIANS 5:22-24 NKJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, LONG-SUFFERING, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, SELF-CONTROL.


Against such there is no law.

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.



G3115 long-suffering

Original: μακροθυμία

Transliteration: makrothumia

Phonetic: mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah

Thayer Definition:

patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance

patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs


Strong's Definition: From the same as G3116; longanimity, that is, forbearance or fortitude: - longsuffering, patience.



When born again, we receive a new heart.

May not understanding fruits of the spirit but have a heart that don’t want to kill, have that nature of God.


Slow to anger, slow to take vengeance

When people do wrong to us, God is the one to bring justice.

He may brings it out in our life time, if not does not matter.


We no need to seek vengeance.

Not losing our peace and joy.

We are children of God, He gives us special protection.


Love – patience, suffers long, having a long nose, slow to anger


It is God’s love.

Human love is not possible.

Jesus came to change our nature.

He took out the old heart, put in a new heart.


Mind - renewed, not reason

Reasoning will go against the heart and go into carnal mind.


If people in our way bring out the flesh, irritating etc...

God’s goodness - He develop what He has put in our hearts.


Realize life is no point getting upset of people.

Most importantly, not losing our peace and joy.

Not worried about people who bully us.


Angry and sin not.


One day we will all be a judge during millennia,

Should not be sueing one another here.


We need wisdom of God.

A listening heart to discern right from wrong.

Most important is to know God.


Jesus said, “Forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

We live a FREE life.

God will restore our years locusts had eaten.

Latter years of Job are better than before.


Integrity - still believe and trusting God all the way.

Not let anyone steal that peace and joy.

Jesus came to give us peace, that shalom will never leave us.


Love suffers long.

Long spirit, don’t loose heart, what God promised will come to pass.


We all have a calling and destiny.

Our whole life is not a coincidence.

Making disciples, help people to grow in Christ.

This year is a year of intimacy with Christ.


Out of the abundance of the heart we will speak.

God will give us the right words.

It is from God, Holy Spirit and God’s word.


When God delays,

His long suffering love - He wanted more people to be saved

Giving man time to repent


1 CORINTHIANS 13:4 NKJV

Love suffers LONG and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;


2 PETER 3:13 TPT

But AS we WAIT, we TRUST in God’s royal proclamation to be fulfilled.

There are coming heavens new in quality, and an earth new in quality, where righteousness will be fully at home.


G3114 long

Original: μακροθυμέω

Transliteration: MAKROTHUMEŌ

Phonetic: mak-roth-oo-meh'-o

Thayer Definition:

to be of a LONG SPIRIT, not to lose heart


to PERSEVERE PATIENTLY and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles


to be PATIENT in bearing the offenses and injuries of others


to be MILD and SLOW in AVENGING


to be longsuffering, SLOW to ANGER, SLOW to PUNISH


Strong's Definition: From the same as G3116; to be LONG SPIRITEDX`, that is, FORBEARING or PATIENT:- bear (suffer) long, be longsuffering, have (long) patience, be patient, patiently endure.


When we get angry our blood pressure can go from normal of 120 to 190 in a few seconds.


This pressure on the small veins of the nose can cause them to break, and because the veins are in a skin called mucus which is rather porous, the blood passes through and begins to drip.



Anger can make our blood pressure go up.

Health problems comes with anger.

Ongoing unmanaged anger can eventually cause harm to many different systems of the body.


Health problems with anger


The constant flood of stress chemicals and associated metabolic changes that go with ongoing unmanaged anger can eventually cause harm to many different systems of the body.


Some of the short and long-term health problems that have been linked to unmanaged anger include: headache, digestion problems, such as abdominal pain, insomnia, increased anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, skin problems, such as eczema, heart attack, stroke.


2 PETER 3:8-9 TPT

So, dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape your notice: a single day counts like a thousand years to the Lord Yahweh, and a thousand years counts as one day.


This means that, contrary to man’s perspective, the Lord is not late with his promise to return, as some measure lateness.


But rather, his “delay” simply reveals his LOVING PATIENCE toward you, because he does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance.


2 PETER 3:10-12 TPT

The day of the Lord will come and take everyone by surprise—as unexpected as a home invasion.


The atmosphere will be set on fire and vanish with a horrific roar,

and the heavenly bodies will melt away as in a tremendous blaze.

The earth and every activity of man will be laid bare.


Since all these things are on the verge of being dismantled, don’t you see how vital it is to live a holy life?


We must be consumed with godliness while we anticipate and help to speed up the coming of the day of God, when the atmosphere will be set on fire and the heavenly bodies consumed in a blaze.


2 PETER 3:13 TPT

But AS we WAIT, we TRUST in God’s royal proclamation to be fulfilled.

There are coming heavens new in quality, and an earth new in quality, where righteousness will be fully at home.


EPHESIANS 4:23-24 EASY

Instead, let God's Spirit make you THINK in a NEW WAY.

Take up the NEW NATURE that God has prepared for you.


That NATURE is like GOD'S OWN NATURE.

Then you will live in a truly good way that pleases God.



We have nature of God. Can we be more patient with people?


EPHESIANS 4:25-27 EASY

So you must stop telling lies.

Each of you must say only true things to one another.

Remember that all of us belong to one another, like parts of the same body.


When you are angry, do not do anything bad as a result.

Once the day comes to an end, do not continue to be angry.


Do not give the Devil a chance to hurt you like that.


G3710 anger

Original: ὀργίζω

Transliteration: orgizō

Phonetic: or-gid'-zo

Thayer Definition:

to PROVOKE, to AROUSE to ANGER



We can get angry.

But don’t let it stay so long it will hurt us or others.

Don’t let it tarnish our state of Righteousness that God gave us.

Angry but sin not.


Anger – just to provoke people to sin

We can say NO.


We can provoke one another to love.


We meant to look beautiful. Not look like this >=[

Continue to build our spirit man

With joy, smile

With long nostril (AREK).


AREK AF ארך אף


JAMES (JACOB) 1:19-21 TPT

My dearest brothers and sisters, take this to heart:

Be quick to listen, but slow to speak.

And be slow to become angry, for human anger is never a legitimate tool to promote God’s righteous purpose.


So this is why we abandon everything morally impure and all forms of wicked conduct.


Instead, with a SENSITIVE SPIRIT we ABSORB GOD’S WORD, which has been IMPLANTED WITHIN our NATURE, for the WORD of LIFE has POWER to continually deliver us.



SLOW to speak

SLOW to become angry


After born again, now we naturally want to please God.

Won’t want to lie.


The more we know Jesus, the more we become like the Him.

By knowing Him. Implanted. Not by our trying.


Even if other person is angry, we can still be calm.


JAMES 1:19-21 MSG

Post this at all the intersections, dear friends:

Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.


God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger.

So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage.


In simple humility, LET our gardener, GOD, landscape you WITH the WORD, making a SALVATION-GARDEN of your LIFE.



A leader LISTENS.


Jesus says,

What I hear my Father say, I say.

What I see my Father do, I do.


Listen first, anger is at the back.


Our beauty comes from the Fruits of the Spirit.

That is the landscape.

People are eating those fruits that are manifested in our lives.

Our garden is beautiful.

The seeds will grow into flowers in our Salvation Garden.



We have long nostrils. Let it out.

We understand what is and what is not in our new nature.

If He has given us, we just need to WILL want to let it come out.


Let God’s words fill our hearts and our mind.

By eating from the Tree of Life, join with Jesus.

Bear fruits of the spirit.


Guard your heart and mind.

Guard the Peace and Joy which is permanent.

Guard the Righteousness which is so precious.

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