רֶטֶט
terror
Definition
The Hebrew noun רֶטֶט (reṭeṭ) refers to a state of intense fear or terror, specifically the kind that causes trembling or shaking. It describes a paralyzing dread that overwhelms a person or community, often in the context of facing a sudden, catastrophic threat. In its sole biblical occurrence in Jeremiah 49:24, it depicts the profound psychological and emotional collapse of Damascus upon hearing news of an impending disaster, portraying terror so deep it causes weakness and helplessness.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the prophetic book of Jeremiah. It appears in an oracle against Damascus (Jeremiah 49:23-27), where it describes the city's reaction to bad news: 'Damascus has become feeble, she turned to flee, and panic (רֶטֶט) seized her; anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her.' The usage is in a context of divine judgment, where a once-powerful city is utterly overwhelmed by fear at the prospect of its downfall.
Etymology
The noun רֶטֶט (reṭeṭ) is derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to tremble' or 'to shake.' This root connection directly links the word's meaning to the physical manifestation of fear. It is related conceptually to other Hebrew words for trembling, such as רָעַד (raʿad, H7460), though רֶטֶט emphasizes the resulting state of terror more than the action itself.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word contributes to the biblical theme of divine judgment and human fragility. It illustrates that even great cities and powers are ultimately vulnerable and can be reduced to a state of paralyzing terror by the sovereign hand of God (Jeremiah 49:24). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of prophetic literature by highlighting the complete psychological and emotional devastation that accompanies God's acts of judgment, moving beyond mere physical destruction to the internal collapse of the judged.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, a city's strength was tied to its perceived security and the morale of its people and rulers. The terror (רֶטֶט) described here signifies a total breakdown of that social and military confidence. It conveys a loss of courage so complete that it leads to helplessness, which in a warrior culture was a fate worse than death, as it meant the utter failure of leadership and protection.
פַּחַד (pachad, H6343) — a more common general term for fear or dread. יִרְאָה (yirʾah, H3374) — often denotes reverence or awe, especially toward God, but can also mean terror. אֵימָה (ʾêmâh, H367) — terror, dread, often associated with the awesome presence of God.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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