to stir up
ga.rah describes provoking conflict, stirring up strife, or rousing oneself for hostile action.
The term most often marks entering into or provoking hostile conflict, whether forbidden against neighboring peoples, warned against in pride, or directed against an opponent. It also describes causing strife and, in Daniel’s military scenes, rousing forces or power for action.
Senses in use
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Engaging or provoking hostile conflict · dominant
In Deuteronomy 2:5, Deuteronomy 2:9, and Deuteronomy 2:19, Hithpael jussive forms prohibit hostile action against the named peoples; the APB renders the clauses with “provoke,” “attack,” and “harass.” In Deuteronomy 2:24 the Hithpael imperative accompanies crossing the Arnon and beginning possession against Sihon, while 2 Kings 14:10 warns a victorious ruler not to bring trouble upon himself and Judah.
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Causing strife between people · common
The Piel imperfect form occurs in sayings about anger and conduct: Proverbs 15:18 and Proverbs 29:22 place it with a man of rage and strife, and Proverbs 28:25 contrasts the person who stirs strife with one who trusts in the LORD. The APB consistently presents these clauses as stirring up strife.
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Rousing military strength for action · occasional
Daniel 11:10 describes sons assembling a great army and then stirring themselves up again as far as a fortress. In Daniel 11:25, a singular Hithpael imperfect stands in a clause about rousing power and heart against the king of the Negeb with a great army; the APB renders both contexts with “stir themselves up” or “stir up.”
In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the verses, the APB uses “provoke,” “harass,” “attack,” “stir themselves up,” and “stirs strife” in the relevant clauses. Because it is a whole-verse translation, these renderings show the contexts rather than fixed English equivalents.