Fear
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Fear in the Bible?
Fear is a natural and beneficent feeling, arising in the presence or anticipation of danger, and moving to its avoidance; it is also awakened in the presence of superiors and of striking manifestations of power, etc., taking the form of awe or reverence.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this concept clarifies that 'the fear of the Lord' in the Old Testament is not merely terror, but a posture of reverent submission and moral accountability that underpins the entire covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Fear. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Fear in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Fear clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Fear." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/fear/