AC 5798 - Anger Means Turning Away

AC 5798

And let not your anger be kindled against your servant.
(Genesis 44:18)

That this means in case he turns away,
is evident from the meaning of "anger,"
as being a turning away,
because one who is angry with another turns away,
for in that state he does not think like him, but against him.
That "anger" is a turning away
is plain from many passages in the Word,
especially from those where anger and wrath
are ascribed to Jehovah or the Lord,
by which is meant a turning away --
not that Jehovah or the Lord ever turns away,
but that a person does so;
and when he turns away
it seems to him as if the Lord did so,
for he is not heard.
The Word so speaks
in accordance with the appearance.
And because "anger" is a turning away,
it is also an assault on good and truth
on the part of those who have turned away;
while on the part of those who have not turned away,
there is no assault,
but a repugnance on account of aversion
to what is evil and false.