יָרֵא
fearing; morally, reverent
Definition
The Hebrew word יָרֵא (yârêʼ) primarily means 'fearing' or 'reverent,' describing both emotional fear and religious reverence. In its most basic sense, it refers to being afraid or terrified, as when the Israelites were told not to fear the Egyptians (Deuteronomy 7:19). More significantly, it denotes a profound, worshipful fear of God, characterized by awe, obedience, and moral integrity, which is the quality God sought in Abraham (Genesis 22:12). This 'fear of the LORD' is not about terror but about a relationship of respect and devotion that is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).
Biblical Usage
יָרֵא is used 55 times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, legal, and wisdom literature. It describes human fear in military contexts (Deuteronomy 20:8, Judges 7:3) and personal danger (Genesis 32:11). Its most important usage is for the 'fear of God,' a key concept for righteous living and community leadership, as seen in the qualifications for judges (Exodus 18:21) and in Deuteronomy's calls for covenant faithfulness.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb יָרֵא (H3372), meaning 'to fear, to revere.' The noun form יָרֵא describes one who possesses that fear. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Arabic 'wari'a' (to be cautious, pious), showing a shared semantic field linking caution, awe, and religious devotion.
Semantic Range
This word is central to Old Testament theology. The 'fear of the LORD' (יִרְאַת יְהוָה) is a foundational concept for wisdom, ethics, and covenant relationship. It describes the proper human posture before a holy God—a blend of awe, reverence, trust, and obedience that leads to life and blessing (Proverbs 14:27). Understanding this Hebrew term corrects modern misconceptions that equate 'fear' solely with terror, revealing it as the essential, worshipful attitude that shapes a faithful life.
In ancient Israelite culture, 'fear' (יָרֵא) towards God was not a private emotion but a public, communal identity marker. To be one who 'fears God' meant to be integrated into the covenant community, adhering to its laws and social ethics. This stood in contrast to the fear of other gods or human powers, anchoring a person's ultimate loyalty and security in Yahweh alone.
פַּחַד (pachad, H6343) — often a more sudden, intense, or paralyzing terror. יִרְאָה (yir'ah, H3374) — the abstract noun for 'fear' or 'reverence,' often used in the phrase 'fear of the LORD.'
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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