BIBLICAL WORD STUDY: “FEAR”

A VERY SHORT BIBLICAL WORD STUDY: “FEAR”

The Bible uses two primary word families for “fear”:

Hebrew (Old Testament):

יָרֵא (yarē) — verb

יִרְאָה (yir’āh) — noun

Greek (New Testament):

φοβέομαι (phobeomai) — verb

φόβος (phobos) — noun

εὐλάβεια (eulabeia) — reverence/holy respect

These words cover a range of meanings from terror to worshipful awe.

The Range of Meaning in the Old Testament (Hebrew)

A. Fear as terror, dread, danger

yare / yirah can mean literal fear:

Adam after sin — “I was afraid” (Gen 3:10)

Israel afraid of Pharaoh’s army (Ex 14:10)

Jacob afraid of Esau (Gen 32:7)

This kind of fear is connected to:

danger

guilt

judgment

enemies

death

B. Fear as reverence, awe, worshipful obedience

This is the positive and theological meaning:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” (Prov 9:10)

“Now I know you fear God…” (Gen 22:12)

“Blessed is the one who fears the LORD.” (Ps 112:1)

This “fear” includes:

reverence

humility

obedience

loyalty

love expressed through honor

Not terror — relationship-based awe.

C. Fear as moral seriousness

In wisdom literature, fear of the LORD means:

acknowledging God’s reality

submitting to His moral order

choosing righteousness over folly

Examples:

Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 14:27

Ecclesiastes 12:13 (“Fear God and keep His commandments…” 

The Range of Meaning in the New Testament (Greek)

A. Fear as terror

Phobos often means literal fear:

The disciples fearing the storm (Matt 8:26)

Guards at the tomb (Matt 28:4)

People afraid of angels / miracles

B. Fear as reverence or awe

This is the key theological meaning:

“Fear God” (1 Peter 2:17)

“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12) — meaning humility and seriousness

“Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18) — meaning God removes terror, not reverence

The Greek εὐλάβεια (eulabeia) specifically means reverence:

Used of Jesus in Hebrews 5:7 — “godly fear” (reverent submission)

C. Fear as worshipful awe in the presence of God

Phobos/phobeomai can also mean awe:

“Fear came upon every soul” after Pentecost (Acts 2:43) — holy awe

Cornelius is described as “a God-fearing man” (Acts 10:2) — a worshiper

TWO MAJOR THEOLOGICAL CATEGORIES

1. Servile fear (Latin: timor servilis)

Fear of punishment, judgment, or wrath.

Adam after sin

Israel at Sinai

Fear of enemies

Fear of death

This kind of fear is removed in Christ:

“Perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18)

2. Filial fear (Latin: timor filialis)

Fear of disappointing or dishonoring God—like a child toward a beloved Father.

This includes:

awe

reverence

obedience

humility

This fear is never removed; it is part of mature faith.

THE FIRST APPEARANCES OF FEAR IN SCRIPTURE

First appearance of fear-as-terror:

Genesis 3:10 — after sin.

First explicit appearance of reverent fear:

Genesis 22:12 — Abraham.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD (Key Themes)

Across the Bible, “fear of the LORD” expresses:

Reverence

Awe

Obedience

Trust

Recognition of God’s holiness

Submission to His authority

It never means terror for those who love God; it means alignment with God’s holiness.

HOW FEAR CHANGES THROUGH REDEMPTION HISTORY

Before sin:

Reverence possible; terror absent.

After the Fall:

Fear-as-terror enters (Gen 3; widespread after).

Under the Law:

Fear-as-reverence emphasized but often mixed with dread (Sinai).

In Christ:

Terror removed; reverence perfected.

Summary Table

Sense of “Fear” / Hebrew / Greek Where Found / Meaning

Terror dread / yir’ah / phobos / Gen 3:10 / Caused by guilt or danger

Respect awe / yir’ah / eulabeia / Gen 22:12 / Worshipful obedience

Moral seriousness  / yir’ah  / Proverbs / Foundation of wisdom

Awe in God’s presence / phobos / Acts 2:43 / Holy amazement

Fear removed by love phobos