What Fear Means in the Bible

In Plain English

Fear of God isn't being scared. It's deep respect and awe that makes us take Him seriously and trust Him.

What It Means

Reverent awe, profound respect mixed with wonder. The fear of the LORD is not terror but appropriate response to His majesty, humble recognition of who He is and who you are.

What We Usually Mean By It

Being afraid of something

Word Origin

From 'yare' meaning 'to fear, be afraid, revere.' In relation to God, it emphasizes awe and reverence rather than terror, though His power certainly warrants healthy fear.

What English Loses

The Hebrew word 'יִרְאָה' (yirah) encompasses a rich semantic range that includes fear, awe, reverence, and respect. Unlike the English word 'fear,' which often implies terror or dread, 'yirah' can denote a profound respect and admiration, especially in the context of one's relationship with God. This reverence is not merely emotional but involves a moral and spiritual response, emphasizing obedience and worship. Understanding 'yirah' in its original context reveals a dynamic interaction between fear and love, deepening one's spiritual insight into the biblical text.

How It Is Used

In biblical Hebrew, 'יִרְאָה' typically functions as a noun and is often accompanied by verbs that denote action or response, such as 'to have' or 'to show.' It can appear with the definite article, 'ה' (ha), emphasizing a specific or heightened sense of reverence. The word order in Hebrew often places 'yirah' close to the subject, underscoring its significance in the sentence, and highlighting the relational aspect between the subject and the object of reverence.

Life in Biblical Times

In the ancient Near Eastern context, 'yirah' was a foundational concept in understanding one's relationship with the divine and authority figures. It was deeply embedded in the social and religious fabric, where reverence for God was intertwined with ethical living. This cultural backdrop highlights that 'yirah' was not merely an emotional response but a holistic approach to life, influencing behavior, societal norms, and one's covenant relationship with God.

Why It Matters

Fear of the LORD is not optional for the believer, it's foundational. It keeps us humble, guards us from sin, and opens us to wisdom. Perfect love casts out tormenting fear but deepens reverential fear.

How to Apply It

Have you lost your awe of God? Has familiarity bred casualness? Take time today to consider His majesty, power, and holiness. Let wonder return to your walk with Him.

Did You Know?

The fear of the LORD is called the 'beginning' of wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10). Everything starts here, without proper reverence for God, you cannot understand anything correctly.

Key Passage

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)

Related Words

Awe (pachad), Terror (emah), Reverence (yare)