“Aaron said, “Don’t let the anger of my lord grow hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.”
— Exodus 32:22 WEB
Explore Bible verses about anger, including Ephesians 4:26, and learn how to manage anger wisely. Practical guidance and reflection included.
Verses sourced from the World English Bible (public domain). Selection follows our editorial policy. Last reviewed 2026-04-23. See all sources.
Anger is recognized in the Bible as a natural emotion, but it is emphasized that it should be managed wisely. Ephesians 4:26 advises not to sin in anger and to resolve conflicts promptly. Overall, Scripture encourages self-control, forgiveness, and reconciliation as essential responses to anger.
““Be angry, and don’t sin.”Psalm 4:4 Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath,”
Anger can flare up unexpectedly. It can disrupt our peace and affect our relationships. The Bible acknowledges anger as a powerful emotion. It doesn’t ignore its presence. Instead, it offers guidance on how to handle it. Ephesians 4:26 advises, “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” This verse acknowledges that anger itself isn’t the problem. It’s how we deal with it that matters.
The scriptures remind us that God is slow to anger and rich in love (Numbers 14:18). This serves as a model for us. Emulating His character can help temper our responses. Psalms 37:8 encourages us to “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.” By doing so, we move away from actions that lead to wrongdoing. These verses offer insight into using anger constructively, without letting it control us.
“Aaron said, “Don’t let the anger of my lord grow hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.”
— Exodus 32:22 WEB
“‘Yahweh is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.’”
— Numbers 14:18 WEB
“Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in your wrath.”
— Psalms 6:1 WEB
“For his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”
— Psalms 30:5 WEB
“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing.”
— Psalms 37:8 WEB
“Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.”
— Psalms 38:1 WEB
“Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion?” Selah.”
— Psalms 77:9 WEB
“when the anger of God went up against them, killed some of their fattest, and struck down the young men of Israel.”
— Psalms 78:31 WEB
“But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn’t stir up all his wrath.”
— Psalms 78:38 WEB
“How long, Yahweh? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?”
— Psalms 79:5 WEB
“But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.”
— Psalms 86:15 WEB
“For we are consumed in your anger. We are troubled in your wrath.”
— Psalms 90:7 WEB
“Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.”
— Psalms 103:8 WEB
“Yahweh is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.”
— Psalms 145:8 WEB
“He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.”
— Proverbs 14:29 WEB
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
— Proverbs 15:1 WEB
“A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.”
— Proverbs 15:18 WEB
“One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.”
— Proverbs 16:32 WEB
“An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.”
— Proverbs 29:22 WEB
“Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.”
“I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness, and struck him; I hid myself and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.”
— Isaiah 57:17 WEB
“You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, those who remember you in your ways. Behold, you were angry, and we sinned. We have been in sin for a long time. Shall we be saved?”
— Isaiah 64:5 WEB
“Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Behold, my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, on man, on animal, on the trees of the field, and on the fruit of the ground; and it will burn and will not be quenched.””
— Jeremiah 7:20 WEB
“Yet, Yahweh, you know all their counsel against me to kill me. Don’t forgive their iniquity. Don’t blot out their sin from your sight, Let them be overthrown before you. Deal with them in the time of your anger.”
— Jeremiah 18:23 WEB
“I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation.”
— Jeremiah 21:5 WEB
““‘Thus my anger will be accomplished, and I will cause my wrath toward them to rest, and I will be comforted. They will know that I, Yahweh, have spoken in my zeal, when I have accomplished my wrath on them.”
— Ezekiel 5:13 WEB
“So will I cause my wrath toward you to rest, and my jealousy will depart from you. I will be quiet, and will not be angry any more.”
— Ezekiel 16:42 WEB
“I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One among you; and I will not come in wrath.”
— Hosea 11:9 WEB
“Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his LordThe word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.” will repay his contempt.”
— Hosea 12:14 WEB
““I will heal their waywardness. I will love them freely; for my anger is turned away from him.”
— Hosea 14:4 WEB
“Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity.”
— Joel 2:13 WEB
“Yahweh said, “Is it right for you to be angry?””
— Jonah 4:4 WEB
“God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the vine?” He said, “I am right to be angry, even to death.””
— Jonah 4:9 WEB
“Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness.”
— Micah 7:18 WEB
“Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken apart by him.”
— Nahum 1:6 WEB
““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor Leviticus 19:18 and hate your enemy.’not in the Bible, but see Qumran Manual of Discipline Ix, 21-26”
— Matthew 5:43 WEB
“You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’”Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20”
— Mark 10:19 WEB
“You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20”
— Luke 18:20 WEB
“Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” Deuteronomy 32:35”
— Romans 12:19 WEB
“gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
— Galatians 5:23 WEB
““Be angry, and don’t sin.”Psalm 4:4 Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath,”
— Ephesians 4:26 WEB
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice.”
— Ephesians 4:31 WEB
“You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
— Ephesians 6:4 WEB
“for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.”
— Colossians 3:6 WEB
“but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.”
— Colossians 3:8 WEB
“But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.”
— 1 Timothy 6:11 WEB
“Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
— 2 Timothy 2:22 WEB
“The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,”
— 2 Timothy 2:24 WEB
“So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;”
— James 1:19 WEB
“for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.”
— James 1:20 WEB
Reflect
Reflect on how you respond when anger arises. Do you pause and breathe, or react impulsively? Consider adopting God's patience and love in your reactions.
Pray
Heavenly Father, grant me the wisdom to manage my anger wisely. Help me to reflect Your patience and love in my actions. Amen.
Apply
This week, practice pausing before reacting in anger. Take a deep breath and count to ten. Allow yourself a moment to choose a calm response.
The Bible acknowledges anger as a normal emotion but warns against letting it lead to sin. Ephesians 4:26 says, "Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath." This teaches us to address anger quickly and wisely, without letting it fester. The Bible encourages us to emulate God's character, who is "slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness" (Numbers 14:18).
Anger itself is not a sin, but it can lead to sin if not managed properly. Ephesians 4:26 advises us to "be angry, and do not sin." This implies that anger is a natural emotion, but it becomes sinful when it leads to harmful actions or thoughts. The key is to deal with anger constructively, avoiding wrathful behavior as Psalms 37:8 advises: "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath."
Controlling anger involves self-awareness and practical steps. Psalms 37:8 encourages us to "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath." Begin by acknowledging your anger and taking a moment to pause. Deep breathing and counting to ten can help. Pray for guidance and wisdom (James 1:5). Seek to emulate God's patience and love. Remember, practicing forgiveness and understanding can also aid in managing anger.
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Bible Verses About Forgiveness
Explore Bible verses on forgiveness, including Ephesians 4:32. Find healing and reconciliation through scripture and practical steps.
Bible Verses About Self-Control
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Bible Verses About Words
Explore the power of words in the Bible. Discover verses that guide how we speak, and learn practical ways to use words wisely and kindly.
Bible Verses About Jealousy
Explore Bible verses on jealousy, including Proverbs 14:30, and find guidance for overcoming envy with peace and gratitude.
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