SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT)

Notes from Genesis 22:12
This term (BDB 431, KB 432) occurs often in the OT in two senses. It can mean “fear”
(cf. Gen. 3:10; 18:15; 20:8; 28:17; 32:7; 42:35; 43:18), but in certain contexts it transitions to “awe,”
“respect,” or “honor” when describing a human’s attitude toward Deity. Note the
following texts: Gen. 42:18; Exod. 1:17; 9:30; 18:21; Lev. 19:14,32; 25:17,36,43; Deut. 6:2,24; 10:12,20;
14:23; 17:19; 25:18; 28:58; 31:12-13; Ps. 33:8. This “fear” should issue in worship and
obedience (cf. Exod. 20:20; Deut. 6:13,24; see
SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP). It
is a lifestyle relationship, not a set of isolated events, places, creeds, or rules. Obedience flows from
respect and love, not fear of reprisal. Disobedience is primarily against love, as well as law! One’s
relationship with God becomes the priority of life! That “Abraham believed God” (Gen. 15:56)
was demonstrated in his life by his actions in Genesis 22!
Notes from Jeremiah 1:8
YHWH saying “fear not” was a frequent message to His servants
1. Abraham, Gen. 15:1
2. Isaac, Gen. 26:24
3. Moses, Num. 21:34; Deut. 3:2,22
4. Joshua, Josh. 1:5-9; 8:1; 10:8
5. Gideon, Jdg. 6:8-10
6. Solomon, 1 Chr. 28:20
7. Isaiah, Isa. 8:12-15
8. national Israel, Isa. 41:10,13,14; 43:1,5; 44:2; 54:4
9. Daniel, Dan. 10:12,19
10. Mary, Luke 1:30
11. Simon, Luke 5:16
12. Paul, Acts 27:24
13. John, Rev. 1:17
Notes from Isaiah 41:10
This is a very common word from YHWH to His people (cf. Isa. 41:13,14; 43:1,5; 44:2,8; 51:7,12;
54:4,14). Notice why they should not fear.
1. YHWH is personally with them (i.e., Ps. 23:4)
2. YHWH is their covenant God (i.e., Gen. 15:1; Exod. 14:13; Jdgs. 6:23; Isa. 41:10)
3. He will strengthen them
4. He will help them (Isa. 41:10,14)
5. He will uphold them (Isa. 41:10,13)
6. all who oppose them will
  1. be shamed
  2. be dishonored
  3. be brought to nothing (Isa. 41:11-12)
  4. perish
Joshua 4:14 “the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of
all Israel.”This VERB (BDB 152, KB 178, Piel PERFECT was used in
Josh. 3:7 to denote this very act.

NASB, JPSOA ”revered”

LXX, NKJV, Peshitta ”feared”

NRSV ”awe”

TEV ”honored”

NJB ”respected”

REB ”exalted”

This is one of the best verses in the Bible to see the meaning of “fear” (BDB 431, KB 432). It
is used in the sense of “reverence” or “respect.” This helps us to understand what it means when
we read that we are to “fear” God.
The phrase, “as they had revered Moses all the days of his life,” is a bit of an overstatement
when one reviews the murmuring and rebellion of the people against Moses’ leadership in Exodus
and Numbers

NASB, JPSOA	”revered”
LXX, NKJV, Peshitta	”feared”
NRSV	”awe”
TEV	”honored”
NJB	”respected”
REB	”exalted”