What is the Definition of Indignation?
Indignation is righteous or moral anger. In Scripture indignation often times refers to the Lord's holy anger against sin or sinful activity.
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Scriptures That Define Indignation

What does indignation mean in the Bible?

Meanings of The Word Indignation
A good indignation meaning from the Bible is anger aroused by something unjust, or wrong
Indignation also means anger that brings about justice
Another meaning of Indignation in the Bible is zeal for the things of God.
Indignation is a just displeasure or contempt.
Resentment is also a working definition of indignation.

Early Church Fathers on the Indignation (Wrath) of God

Father & Work	Summary of View	Biblical basis referenced
Augustine – City of God, On Grace and Free Will	God’s wrath is not arbitrary passion but a just and ordered response to sin, meant to uphold righteousness.	Romans 1–2; Psalms
John Chrysostom – Homilies on Romans, Homilies on Genesis	God’s anger functions as discipline, aimed at restraining evil and guiding people back to salvation.	Romans; Isaiah; Psalms
*Origen – On First Principles, Homilies*	Divine indignation is educational, like a father’s chastisement, intended to heal rather than destroy.	Hebrews 12; Prophets
Tertullian – Apology, On Patience	God’s wrath is deserved by the guilty, righteous in its cause, and terrifying to those who resist repentance.	Psalms; Exodus; Romans
Irenaeus – Against Heresies	God’s anger expresses His justice as Judge and is fully consistent with His goodness.	Genesis; Prophets
Athanasius – On the Incarnation	God’s wrath is directed against sin, yet His mercy is revealed in Christ who saves from judgment.	Isaiah; Psalms
*Cyril of Alexandria – Commentaries* (Isaiah, etc.)**	Divine indignation defends the covenant and removes threats that endanger God’s people.	Jeremiah; Ezekiel; Psalms
*Gregory of Nyssa – On God and Man, Homilies*	Wrath serves as a corrective force, instilling fear to lead souls toward repentance and healing.	Hebrews 12; Prophets
Jerome – Commentaries on Isaiah & Jeremiah	God’s threats and wrath in the prophets are solemn warnings that affirm His righteousness.	Isaiah; Jeremiah
*Ambrose – On the Duties of the Clergy, Sermons*	God’s vengeance is real, but His mercy surpasses His wrath, which targets sin rather than human ruin.	Psalms; Isaiah
Cyprian of Carthage – Letters, On the Lord’s Prayer	God’s anger chastens His people in order to produce repentance and restore them.	Hebrews 12; Psalms
Lactantius – Divine Institutes	Divine wrath is the instrument of God’s justice, ensuring the wicked receive their due.	Prophets; Romans
Clement of Alexandria – Stromata, Instructor	God’s indignation is medicinal, correcting vice and leading the soul back to virtue.	Wisdom; Proverbs; Pauline texts
Justin Martyr – Dialogue with Trypho, First Apology	God’s righteous anger is displayed in Israel’s history and prophetic judgments as warnings for all.	Exodus; Prophets
Theodoret / Theodore of Mopsuestia – Commentaries & Ecclesiastical Histories	References to divine wrath should be read in their historical and covenantal context, as corrective actions of God.	Prophets; Psalms

Scriptures That Define Indignation

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Psalm 69:9 Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up,
And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.

Quick Fact: Indignant meaning in the Scriptures- Righteously Angered

Mark 3:5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
John 2:14-17 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

Indignation Definition Cont'd from The Scriptures

Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.
Mark 11:15-18 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He taught, saying to them, 'Is it not written,'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a'den of thieves.'' And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.

Meaning of indignant in the Bible

What is the definition of indignant?

As an adjective, indignant means one who has or embodies indignation. So using the Bible meaning for indignation as righteous or morally persuaded anger, an indignant person is one who is angry for a righteous cause.

General Synonyms of Indignation: