Difference between revisions of "Fear"

<p> '''A. Verb. ''' </p> <p> <em> Yârê' </em> ( '''''יָרֵא''''' , Strong'S #3372), “to be afraid, stand in awe, fear.” This verb occurs in Ugaritic and Hebrew (both biblical and post-biblical). The Bible attests it approximately 330 times and in all periods. </p> <p> Basically, this verb connotes the psychological reaction of “fear.” <em> Yârê' </em> may indicate being afraid of something or someone. Jacob prayed: “Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children” (Gen. 32:11). </p> <p> Used of a person in an exalted position, <em> yârê' </em> connotes “standing in awe.” This is not simple fear, but reverence, whereby an individual recognizes the power and position of the individual revered and renders him proper respect. In this sense, the word may imply submission to a proper ethical relationship to God; the angel of the Lord told Abraham: “… I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me” (Gen. 22:12). The verb can be used absolutely to refer to the heavenly and holy attributes of something or someone. So Jacob said of Bethel: “How [awesome] is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” (Gen. 28:17). The people who were delivered from Egypt saw God’s great power, “feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses” (Exod. 14:31). There is more involved here than mere psychological fear. The people also showed proper “honor” (“reverence”) for God and “stood in awe of” Him and of His servant, as their song demonstrates (Exod. 15). After experiencing the thunder, lightning Flashes, sound of the trumpet, and smoking mountain, they were “afraid” and drew back; but Moses told them not to be afraid, “for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not” (Exod. 20:20). In this passage, the word represents “fear” or “dread” of the Lord. This sense is also found when God says, “fear not” (Gen. 15:1). </p> <p> <em> Yârê' </em> can be used absolutely (with no direct object), meaning “to be afraid.” Adam told God: “… I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Gen. 3:10—the first occurrence). One may be “afraid” to do something, as when [[Lot]] “feared to dwell in Zoar” (Gen. 19:30). </p> <p> '''B. Nouns. ''' </p> <p> <em> Môrâ' </em> ( '''''מֹרָא''''' , Strong'S #4172), “fear.” The noun <em> môrâ' </em> , which appears 12 times, is used exclusively of the fear of being before a superior kind of being. Usually it is used to describe the reaction evoked in men by God’s mighty works of destruction and sovereignty (Deut. 4:24). Hence, the word represents a very strong “fear” or “terror.” In the singular, this word emphasizes the divine acts themselves. Môrâ' may suggest the reaction of animals to men (Gen. 9:2) and of the nations to conquering Israel (Deut. 11:25). </p> <p> <em> Yir'âh </em> ( '''''יִרְאָה''''' , Strong'S #3374), “fear; reverence.” The noun <em> yir'âh </em> appears 45 times in the Old Testament. It may mean “fear” of men (Deut. 2:25), of things (Isa. 7:25), of situations (Jonah 1:10), and of God (Jonah 1:12); it may also mean “reverence” of God (Gen. 20:11). </p>

<p> FEAR, n. See the Verb. </p> 1. A painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger. Fear expresses less apprehension than dread, and dread less than terror and fright. The force of this passion, beginning with the most moderate degree, may be thus expressed, fear, dread, terror, fright. Fear is accompanied with a desire to avoid or ward off the expected evil. Fear is an uneasiness of mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us. <p> Fear is the passion of our nature which excites us to provide for our security, on the approach of evil. </p> 2. [[Anxiety]] solicitude. <p> The principal fear was for the holy temple. </p> 3. The cause of fear. <p> [[Thy]] angel becomes a fear. </p> 4. The object of fear. <p> Except the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me. &nbsp;Genesis 31 . </p> 5. Something set or hung up to terrify wild animals, by its color or noise. &nbsp;Isaiah 24 . &nbsp;Jeremiah 48 . 6. In scripture, fear is used to express a filial or a slavish passion. In good men, the fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and his laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun every thing that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience. This is filial fear. <p> I will put my fear in their hearts. &nbsp;Jeremiah 32 . </p> <p> Slavish fear is the effect or consequence of guilt it is the painful apprehension of merited punishment. &nbsp;Romans 8 . </p> <p> The love of God casteth out fear. &nbsp;1 John 4 . </p> 7. The worship of God. <p> I will teach you the fear of the Lord. &nbsp;Psalms 34 . </p> 8. The law and word of God. <p> The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever. &nbsp;Psalms 19 . </p> 9. [[Reverence]] respect due regard. <p> [[Render]] to all their dues fear to whom fear. &nbsp;Romans 13 . </p> <p> [[Fear, L]]  vereor. </p> 1. To feel a painful apprehension of some impending evil to be afraid of to consider or expect with emotions of alarm or solicitude. We fear the approach of an enemy or of a storm. We have reason to fear the punishment of our sins. <p> I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. &nbsp;Psalms 23 . </p> 2. To reverence to have a reverential awe to venerate. <p> This do, and live: for I fear God. &nbsp;Genesis 42 . </p> 3. To affright to terrify to drive away or prevent approach by fear, or by a scarecrow. This seems to be the primary meaning, but now obsolete. <p> We must not make a scarecrow of the law, setting it up to fear the birds of prey. </p> <p> FEAR, To be in apprehension of evil to be afraid to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil. </p> <p> But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled [[Eve]] through his subtility, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. &nbsp;2 Corinthians 11 . </p> <p> Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Gen. &nbsp;15. </p> <p> FEAR, n. A companion. Not in use. See Peer. </p>

<p> ''''' fēr ''''' ( יראה , <i> ''''' yir'āh ''''' </i> , ירא , <i> ''''' yārē' ''''' </i> ; φόβος , <i> ''''' phóbos ''''' </i> , φοβέω , <i> ''''' phobéō ''''' </i> ): </p> Terms, Etc <p> "Fear" is the translation of many words in the Old Testament; the chief are: <i> ''''' yir'āh ''''' </i> , "fear," "terror," "reverence," "awe," most often "the fear of God," "fear of Yahweh" (&nbsp;Genesis 20:11; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 19:9 , etc.); also of "fear" generally (&nbsp;Job 22:4; &nbsp;Isaiah 7:25; &nbsp;Ezekiel 30:13 , etc.); <i> ''''' yārē' ''''' </i> , "to be afraid," "to fear," "to reverence" (&nbsp;Genesis 15:1; &nbsp;Leviticus 19:3 , &nbsp;Leviticus 19:14; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 6:2 , etc.); <i> ''''' paḥadh ''''' </i> , "fear," "terror," "dread" (&nbsp;Genesis 31:42 , &nbsp;Genesis 31:53; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 11:25; &nbsp;1 Samuel 11:7 the King James Version; &nbsp; Job 4:14; &nbsp;Isaiah 2:10 the King James Version, etc.). </p> <p> "Fearful" (timid) is the translation of <i> ''''' yārē' ''''' </i> (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 20:8; &nbsp;Judges 7:3 ); "to be feared," <i> ''''' yārē' ''''' </i> (&nbsp;Exodus 15:11; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 28:58; compare &nbsp;Psalm 130:4 ); in &nbsp;Isaiah 35:4 , it is the translation of <i> ''''' māhar ''''' </i> , "hasty," "them that are of a fearful heart," margin "Hebrew hasty"; perhaps, ready to flee (for fear). </p> <p> "Fearfully" (&nbsp; Psalm 139:14 ): <i> ''''' yārē' ''''' </i> , "I am fearfully (and) wonderfully made," so the Revised Version (British and American); "and" is not in the text, so that "fearfully" may be equivalent to "extremely," to an awesome degree; compare &nbsp;Psalm 65:5 , "by terrible things ... in righteousness"; &nbsp;Psalm 66:3 , "How terrible are thy works ( <i> ''''' yārē' ''''' </i> "fearful"); the Septuagint, Peshitta, [[Vulgate]] (Jerome's <i> Latin Bible </i> , 390-405 ad) have "Thou art fearfully wonderful." </p> <p> "Fearfulness" occurs In &nbsp; Psalm 55:5 ( <i> ''''' yir'āh ''''' </i> ); &nbsp;Isaiah 21:4 ( <i> ''''' pallācūth ''''' </i> ), the Revised Version (British and American) "horror"; &nbsp;Isaiah 33:14 ( <i> ''''' re‛ādhāh ''''' </i> , "trembling"), "Fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites," the Revised Version (British and American) "Trembling hath seized the godless ones." </p> <p> In the New Testament the chief words are <i> ''''' phobos ''''' </i> , "fear," "terror," "affright" (&nbsp;Matthew 14:26; &nbsp;Matthew 28:4 , &nbsp;Matthew 28:8; &nbsp;Luke 21:26; &nbsp;1 John 4:18 , etc.), and <i> ''''' phobeō ''''' </i> , "to put in fear" (both used of ordinary fear) (&nbsp;Matthew 1:20; &nbsp;Matthew 10:26; &nbsp;Matthew 28:5; &nbsp;2 Corinthians 12:20 , etc.); of the fear of God, the noun (&nbsp;Romans 3:18; &nbsp;2 Corinthians 7:1 ), the verb (&nbsp;Luke 18:4; &nbsp;Luke 23:40 , etc.); <i> ''''' deilı́a ''''' </i> , "timidity," "fear," occurs in &nbsp;2 Timothy 1:7 , "God hath not given us the spirit of fear," the Revised Version (British and American) "a spirit of fearfulness"; <i> ''''' ékphobos ''''' </i> , "frightened out (of one's senses)," "greatly terrified" (&nbsp;Hebrews 12:21; compare &nbsp;Deuteronomy 9:19; The Wisdom of [[Solomon]] 17:9 the King James Version); <i> ''''' apó tḗs eulabeı́as ''''' </i> is translated (&nbsp;Hebrews 5:7 ) "(of Christ) who was heard in that he feared," the Revised Version (British and American) "having been heard for his godly fear"; so all the Greek commentators; <i> ''''' eulábeia ''''' </i> , properly, "caution," "circumspection," is used in the New Testament for godly fear (&nbsp;Hebrews 12:28 , the Revised Version (British and American) "reverence and awe," margin as the King James Version); compare <i> ''''' eulabēs ''''' </i> (&nbsp;Luke 2:25; &nbsp;Acts 2:5; &nbsp;Acts 8:2 ); <i> ''''' eulabéomai ''''' </i> , "to act with caution" (&nbsp;Acts 23:10 ). <i> ''''' Deilós ''''' </i> , "fearful," "timid," occurs in &nbsp;Matthew 8:26; &nbsp;Mark 4:40; &nbsp;Revelation 21:8 , "Their part shall be ... the second death"; <i> ''''' phoberós ''''' </i> , "fearful," "terrible" (&nbsp;Hebrews 10:27 , &nbsp;Hebrews 10:31 ); <i> ''''' phóbētron ''''' </i> , "something fearful," "a terrible sign or portent" (&nbsp;Luke 21:11 , Revised Version (British and American) "terrors"). </p> <p> Fear is a natural and, in its purpose, beneficent feeling, arising in the presence or anticipation of danger, and moving to its avoidance; it is also awakened in the presence of superiors and of striking manifestations of power, etc., taking the form of awe or reverence. Fear has been said to be the source of religion, but religion can never have originated from fear alone, since men are impelled to draw nigh with expectation to the object of worship. </p> <p> "Fear" is certainly a prominent element in Old Testament religion; the "fear of God" or of Yahweh, "the fear of the Lord," is indeed synonymous with religion itself (&nbsp;Psalm 34:11; &nbsp;Proverbs 1:7; &nbsp;Isaiah 11:2 , &nbsp;Isaiah 11:3; &nbsp;Jeremiah 2:19; &nbsp;Ecclesiastes 12:13 , "the whole duty of man," the Revised Version, margin "the duty of all men"). But although the element of dread, or of "fear" in its lower sense, is not always absent and is sometimes prominent in the earlier stages especially, though not exclusively (&nbsp;Exodus 23:27 , <i> ''''' 'ēmāh ''''' </i> ; &nbsp;1 Samuel 11:7; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 20:29; &nbsp;Psalm 119:120; &nbsp;Isaiah 2:10 , &nbsp;Isaiah 2:19 , &nbsp;Isaiah 2:21 ), it is more the feeling of reverent regard for their God, tempered with awe and fear of the punishment of disobedience. As such it is a sentiment commanded and to be cherished toward Yahweh (&nbsp;Exodus 20:20; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 6:13; &nbsp;Joshua 4:24; &nbsp;1 Samuel 12:24; &nbsp;Job 6:14; &nbsp;Psalm 33:8; &nbsp;Psalm 34:9; &nbsp;Proverbs 23:17; &nbsp;Ecclesiastes 5:7 , etc.). It is an essential element in the worship and service of Yahweh (2 Ki 17 often; &nbsp;Psalm 2:11 , etc.); it is a Divine qualification of the [[Messiah]] (&nbsp;Isaiah 11:2 , &nbsp;Isaiah 11:3 ). This "fear of Yahweh" is manifested in keeping God's commandments, walking in His ways, doing His will, avoiding sin, etc. (&nbsp;Exodus 20:20; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 6:13 , &nbsp;Deuteronomy 6:14; &nbsp;2 Samuel 23:3; &nbsp;Psalm 34:4 , &nbsp;Psalm 34:9 parallel &nbsp; Proverbs 8:13; &nbsp;Proverbs 16:6 ). It is the true wisdom (&nbsp;Job 28:28; &nbsp;Psalm 25:14; &nbsp;Proverbs 1:7; &nbsp;Proverbs 15:33 ); it gives life (&nbsp;Proverbs 10:27 , etc.), blessedness (&nbsp;Psalm 128:1 , &nbsp;Psalm 128:4 ), sufficiency (&nbsp;Psalm 34:9 ), Divine friendship (&nbsp;Psalm 25:14 ), protection (&nbsp;Psalm 34:7 ), deliverance (&nbsp;Psalm 85:9 ), forgiveness (&nbsp;Psalm 130:4 ). In &nbsp;Psalm 90:11 the King James Version has "According to thy fear so is thy wrath," the Revised Version (British and American) "and thy wrath according to the fear that is due unto thee"; the meaning probably is "thy wrath is in proportion to thy fear." </p> <p> The "fear of the Lord" is a frequent phrase in Apocrypha, and is highly exalted, e.g. [[Ecclesiasticus]] 1:11-30; the idea of it became gradually more and more elevated; in 2:15, 16 it is joined with the <i> love </i> of God. </p> <p> "Fear" is the natural consequence of sin (&nbsp;Genesis 3:10; &nbsp;Genesis 4:13 , &nbsp;Genesis 4:14; &nbsp;Proverbs 28:1 ); it comes as a punishment (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 28:25 , &nbsp;Deuteronomy 28:28 ). The fear of man and of evils are dangers to be avoided, from which the fear of God delivers (&nbsp;Numbers 14:9; &nbsp;Numbers 21:34; &nbsp;Psalm 23:4; &nbsp;Psalm 31:14 , etc.). </p> <p> "Fear" sometimes stands for the <i> object </i> of fear (&nbsp; Proverbs 10:24; &nbsp;Isaiah 66:4 ); for the object of worship (&nbsp;Genesis 31:42 , &nbsp;Genesis 31:53 , "the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac," <i> ''''' paḥadh ''''' </i> ). </p> <p> In the New Testament dread, or fear of God in the lower sense, is removed; He is revealed as the loving and forgiving Father, who gives to men the spirit of sonship (&nbsp;Romans 8:15; &nbsp;2 Timothy 1:7; &nbsp;1 John 4:18 ); we are invited even to come "with boldness unto the throne of grace," with confidence, assurance ( <i> ''''' parrhēsı́a ''''' </i> ), which, however, may have its literal meaning of free "utterance" (&nbsp;Hebrews 4:16; &nbsp;Hebrews 10:19 ); but there remains a filial fear and sense of awe and of the greatness of the issues involved (&nbsp;Romans 11:20; &nbsp;Ephesians 5:21 , the Revised Version (British and American) "of Christ"; &nbsp;1 Timothy 5:20; &nbsp;Hebrews 4:1 ); all other fears should be dismissed (&nbsp;Matthew 8:26; &nbsp;Matthew 10:26-28 , &nbsp;Matthew 10:31; &nbsp;Luke 12:32 ); in &nbsp;Matthew 10:28; &nbsp;Luke 12:5 , "fear" is used in the sense of "stand in awe of," so perhaps &nbsp;Luke 23:40; to "fear God" is sometimes used in the New Testament as equivalent to religion (&nbsp;Luke 18:4; &nbsp;Acts 10:2 , &nbsp;Acts 10:35; &nbsp;Acts 13:16 , &nbsp;Acts 13:26 , used of proselytes); in &nbsp;Hebrews 10:27 , it is said that if Christ be willfully rejected, nothing remains but "a fearful looking for (the Revised Version (British and American) "expectation") of judgment," and &nbsp;Hebrews 10:31 , "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God," in which places "fearful" means "terrible," something well to be feared. the Revised Version (British and American) gives frequently a more literal rendering of the words translated "fear." </p>