Topic Study

• Torah (T): Genesis 20:11
• Prophets (P): 2 Samuel 23:3; Isaiah 11:2
• Writings (W): Psalm 19:9; Proverbs 1:7
• Apostolic (A): 2 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Romans 3:9-19

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• 2 Samuel 23:3
• Isaiah 11:2
• Isaiah 11:3
• Isaiah 33:6
• Psalm 19:9
• Psalm 34:11
• Psalm 111:10
• Proverbs 1:7
• Proverbs 1:29
• Proverbs 2:5
• Proverbs 8:13
• Proverbs 9:10
• Proverbs 10:27
• Proverbs 14:26
• Proverbs 14:27
• Proverbs 15:16
• Proverbs 15:33
• Proverbs 16:6
• Proverbs 19:23
• Proverbs 22:4
• Proverbs 29:25
• 2 Chronicles 14:14*
• 2 Chronicles 17:10*
• 2 Chronicles 19:7*
• 2 Chronicles 19:9
• 2 Chronicles 20:29*
• Romans 3:9-19

---

Out of the 45 times this word is used in the Tanakh (Genesis through 2 Chronicles) יִרְאָה yare (H3374) is translated as “fear” 42 times as in “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.”

Etymology of the English Word Fear

Middle English fere, from Old English fær “calamity, sudden danger, peril, sudden attack,” from Proto-Germanic feraz “danger” (source also of Old Saxon far “ambush,” Old Norse far “harm, distress, deception,” Dutch gevaar, German Gefahr “danger”); The sense of “state of being afraid, uneasiness caused by possible danger” developed by late 12c. Some Old English words for “fear” as we now use it were fyrhto, fyrhto; as a verb, ondrædan; The meaning “feeling of dread and reverence for God” is from c. 1400. To put the fear of God (into someone) “intimidate, cause to cower” is by 1888, from the common religious phrase; the extended use was often at first in colonial contexts.

“The Fear of God” According to Christianity

For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer’s fear is reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.'” This reverence and awe are exactly what the fear of God means for Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe. – “What does it mean to have the fear of God?” GotQuestions Ministries

“The Fear of God” According to Judaism

What is that fear? It may be a simple fear that, “If I do those things He does not like, the consequences will not be good.” Or—for the one sensitive to the love for G‑d innate within his soul—fear is the fear of separation from that love and that oneness, as a small child who is afraid to be separated from his parents. For those who ponder G‑d’s infinite greatness and the wonders of His creation, fear is a sense of awe and amazement, spontaneously affecting all the senses, taking life up to a whole new level. – “Awe of G-d” Chabad.org

It’s His Fear Not Ours

The problem with defining “The Fear of God” this way is that it ignores that the Hebrew structure here is a possessive noun that is Elohim’s and not man’s. For example, if the Bible refers to the “arm of Elohim” (cf. Isaiah 51:9; 53:1) we would not apply that to our own arm. Yet, we apply the “fear of Elohim” back to us and our reaction to it instead of understanding that this is His fear, not our own.

The Hebrew word from which the word “fear” is translated is יָרֵא yare (H3372) a feminine noun which means “to throw or flow” and is concretely represented as “rain” in the sense of how it is “thrown” or “flowing” down from the sky. יָרֵא yare can also refer to the throwing of an arrow. יָרֵא yare also means to “teach” or “direct” in the sense of the throwing of the finger to show a direction to walk or live. This is likely where the concept of “fear” or “dread” comes from since correction in this way can cause a reaction from the receiver, depending on whether they are wise or foolish: “The fear of YHWH (יִרְאַת יהוה yirat YHWH) is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)

Fear God (verb) vs. Fear of God (noun)

Thus, when Scripture uses the word “fear” as a verb in reference to how we are to fear Him, it’s essentially telling us to listen to His teaching and direction in which He is pointing us. This is demonstrated in Ecclesiastes 12:13: “This is the end (conclusion) of the word. All has been heard. Fear (יְרָא yera) Elohim and guard his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.” This same context applies to fearing man as well in the sense that to fear someone means to listen to their teaching and direction in which they are pointing you. Leviticus 19:3 Man shall fear his mother and his father. You shall guard my Sabbaths. I am the YHWH your Elohim.

יִרְאַת יהוה yirat YHWH or יִרְאַת אֱלֹהִים yirat Elohim (H3374 + H3068) is where we get the terms Fear of YHWH or Fear of Elohim. When adding the ת tav suffix to the word יִרְא yira (to make יִרְאַת yirat), it changes the singular feminine noun to the construct form “of”. In Semitic languages, the construct state (or “status constructus”) is a special form of a noun used when it is in a genitive construction with another noun. This construction indicates possession or a close relationship between the two nouns, where the first noun (the possessed) is modified to reflect its relationship with the second noun (the possessor). Thus, the construct of the Hebrew term יִרְאַת יהוה yirat YHWH tells us that the fear indicates possession between the two nouns and should lead us to interpret this fear as YHWH’s and not man’s.

The Torah: How His Fear is Taught

The final proof that the Fear of YHWH is related to His teaching and instruction is in a related word: Torah. תּוֹרָה torah (H8451) is the direction one is to walk in life based on teachings and instructions. The root word of תּוֹרָה torah is יָרָה yarah (H3384) which means to throw, cast, or shoot and obviously shares the same root as the word יָרֵא yare (H3372), a feminine noun which means “to throw or flow”.

Deuteronomy 32:1-2 Give ear, you heavens, and I will speak. Let the earth hear the words of my mouth. My doctrine will drop as the rain. My speech will condense as the dew, as the misty rain on the tender grass, as the showers on the herb.

Which One Makes Sense?

Does the mainstream definition of the Fear of Elohim make sense in this verse? “For the unbeliever, the fear of God is the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God”:

Genesis 20:11 Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely the [the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death] is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife’s sake.’

Does the Hebraic understanding of the word “fear” make sense in this Genesis 20:11?

Genesis 20:11 Abraham said, “Because I thought, ‘Surely the [teaching] of God is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife’s sake.’

The Accurate Word for “Fear”

*The Hebrew word פַּחַד pachad (H6343) is used in some of the verses below and means “to shake in trembling fear”. פַּחַד pachad is not related to the word יָרֵא yare (H3372), but is actually more accurately translated as “fear” while translating יָרֵא yare as “fear” instead of “teaching” or “direction” is not consistent with the context or meaning.

---

Torah (T)

Prophets (P)

2 Samuel 23:3 The Elohim of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear (teaching) of Elohim,

Isaiah 11:2 YHWH’s Spirit will rest on him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear (teaching) of YHWH.

Writings (W)

Psalm 19:9 The fear (teaching) of YHWH is clean, enduring forever. YHWH’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear (teaching) of YHWH is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

Apostolic (A)

2 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Romans 3:9-19

2 Corinthians 5:11 Knowing therefore the fear (teaching) of YHWH, we persuade men, but we are revealed to Elohim, and I hope that we are revealed also in your consciences.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear (teaching) of Elohim.

Romans 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10 As it is written, “There is no one righteous; no, not one. 11 There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after Elohim. 12 They have all turned away. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not so much as one.” (cf. Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20) 13 “Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit.” (cf. Psalms 5:9) “The poison of vipers is under their lips.” (cf. Psalms 140:3) 14 “Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” (cf. Psalms 10:7) 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood. 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways. 17 The way of peace, they haven’t known.” (cf. Isaiah 59:7-8) 18 “There is no fear (teaching) of Elohim before their eyes.” (cf. Psalms 36:1) 19 Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of Elohim.

Related Scriptures

Isaiah 11:3

11:3 His delight will be in the fear (teaching) of YHWH. He will not judge by the sight of his eyes, neither decide by the hearing of his ears;

Isaiah 33:6

33:6 There will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear (teaching) of YHWH is your treasure.

Psalm 34:11

34:11 Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear (teaching) of YHWH.

Psalm 111:10

111:10 The fear (teaching) of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Proverbs 1:29

1:29 because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear (teaching) of YHWH.

Proverbs 2:5

2:5 then you will understand the fear (teaching) of YHWH, and find the knowledge of Elohim.

Proverbs 8:13

8:13 The fear (teaching) of YHWH is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

Proverbs 9:10

9:10 The fear (teaching) of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 10:27

10:27 The fear (teaching) of YHWH prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

Proverbs 14:26

14:26 In the fear (teaching) of YHWH is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.

Proverbs 14:27

14:27 The fear (teaching) of YHWH is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death.

Proverbs 15:16

15:16 Better is little, with the fear (teaching) of YHWH, than great treasure with trouble.

Proverbs 15:33

15:33 The fear (teaching) of YHWH teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.

Proverbs 16:6

16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear (teaching) of YHWH men depart from evil.

Proverbs 19:23

19:23 The fear (teaching) of YHWH leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.

Proverbs 22:4

22:4 The result of humility and the fear (teaching) of YHWH is wealth, honor, and life.

Proverbs 29:25

The fear (teaching) of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in YHWH is kept safe.

2 Chronicles 14:14* פַּחַד pachad

14:14 They struck all the cities around Gerar, for the fear (trembling) of YHWH came on them. They plundered all the cities, for there was much plunder in them.

2 Chronicles 17:10* פַּחַד pachad

17:10 The fear (trembling) of YHWH fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

2 Chronicles 19:7* פַּחַד pachad

19:7 Now therefore let the fear (trembling) of YHWH be on you. Take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with YHWH our Elohim, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.”

2 Chronicles 19:9

19:9 He commanded them, saying, “You shall do this in the fear (teaching) of YHWH, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.

2 Chronicles 20:29* פַּחַד pachad

20:29 The fear (trembling) of Elohim was on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that YHWH fought against the enemies of Israel.