5399. phobeó

Lexical Summary

phobeó: To fear, be afraid, reverence

Original Word: φοβέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: phobeó
Pronunciation: fo-beh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (fob-eh'-o)
KJV: be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence
NASB: afraid, fear, frightened, fearing, feared, am afraid, fearful
Word Origin: [from G5401 (φόβος - fear)]

1. to frighten
2. (passively) to be alarmed
3. (by analogy) to be in awe of, i.e. revere

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

to fear

From phobos; to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere -- be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.

see GREEK phobos

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5399 phobéō – to fear, withdraw (flee) from, avoid. See 5401 (phobos).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from phobos
Definition
to put to flight, to terrify, frighten
NASB Translation
afraid (39), am afraid (2), awestruck (1), fear (27), feared (5), fearful (2), fearing (6), fears (2), frightened (7), have...fear (1), respects (1), terrified (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5399: φοβέω

φοβέω, φόβῳ: passive, present φοβοῦμαι; imperfect ἐφοβούμην; 1 aorist ἐφοβήθην; future φοβηθήσομαι; (φόβος); from Homer down; to terrify, frighten, Wis. 17:9; to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away). Passive:

1. to be put to flight, to flee (Homer).

2. to fear, be afraid; the Sept. very often for יָרֵא; absolutely to be struck with fear, to be seized with alarm: of those who fear harm or injury, Matthew 10:31; Matthew 14:30; Matthew 25:25; Mark 5:33, 36; Mark 10:32; Mark 16:8; Luke 8:50; Luke 12:7, 32; John 12:15; John 19:8; Acts 16:38; Acts 22:29; (Romans 13:4); Hebrews 13:6; 1 John 4:18; opposed to ὑψηλοφρονεῖν, Romans 11:20; of those startled by strange sights or occurrences, Matthew 14:27; Matthew 17:7; Matthew 28:5, 10; Mark 6:50; Luke 1:13, 30; Luke 2:10; Luke 9:34; ( L in brackets); John 6:19, 20; Acts 18:9; Acts 27:24 (but in the last two passages perhaps the exhortation has a wider reference); Revelation 1:17; with σφόδρα added, Matthew 17:6; Matthew 27:54; of those struck with amazement, (Matthew 9:8 L T Tr WH); Mark 5:15; Luke 5:10; Luke 8:25, 35. with an accusative of the contents (cognate accusative) (see ἀγαπάω, under the end): φόβον μέγαν, literally, to 'fear a great fear,' fear exceedingly, Mark 4:41; Luke 2:9 (1 Macc. 10:8); φόβον αὐτῶν, the fear which they inspire (see φόβος, 1), 1 Peter 3:14 (Isaiah 8:12; τοῦ Τανταλου, to be filled with the same fear as Tantalus, Schol. ad Euripides, Or. 6); with the synonymous πτόησιν (which see), 1 Peter 3:6. τινα, to fear one, be afraid of one, lest he do harm, be displeased, etc.: Matthew 10:26; Matthew 14:5; Matthew 21:26, 46; Mark 11:18, 32 (cf. Buttmann, § 151, 11); ; Luke 19:21; Luke 20:19; Luke 22:2; John 9:22; Acts 5:26 (cf. Buttmann, § 139, 48; Winer's Grammar, 505 (471)); ; Romans 13:3; Galatians 2:12; τόν Θεόν, God, the judge and avenger, Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:5; Luke 23:40 (Exodus 1:17, 21; 1 Samuel 12:18); τί, to fear danger from something, Hebrews 11:23, 27; to fear (dread to undergo) some suffering, Revelation 2:10. in imitation of the Hebrew (מִן יָרֵא), followed by ἀπό τίνος (cf. Buttmann, § 147, 3): Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:4 (Jeremiah 1:8, 17; Jeremiah 10:2; Leviticus 26:2; 1 Macc. 2:62 1 Macc. 8:12; Judges 5:23), as in the Greek writings, φοβοῦμαι μή, to fear lest, with the subjunctive aorist: Acts ( L T Tr WH); ; μήπως, lest perchance, Acts 27:29 (here L μήπω (which see 2), others μήπου (which see)); 2 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; φοβηθῶμεν (equivalent to let us take anxious care) μήποτε τίς δοκῇ, lest anyone may seem (see δοκέω, 2 at the end), Hebrews 4:1; φοβοῦμαι ὑμᾶς, μήπως κεκοπίακα, Galatians 4:11 (see μήπως, 1 b.); φοβοῦμαι with an infinitive to fear (i. e. hesitate) to do something (for fear of harm), Matthew 1:20; Matthew 2:22; Mark 9:32; Luke 9:45 (for numerous examples in the Greek writings from Aeschylus down see Passow, under the word, 2, vol. ii., p. 2315{a}; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, Buttmann, II. 4)).

3. to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience: τινα, Mark 6:20; Ephesians 5:33; τόν Θεόν, used of his devout worshippers, Luke 1:50; Luke 18:2, 4; Acts 10:2, 22, 35; (Colossians 3:22 Rec.); 1 Peter 2:17; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 19:5; also τόν κύριον, Colossians 3:22 (G L T Tr WH); Revelation 15:4; τό ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ, Revelation 11:18 (Deuteronomy 4:10; Deuteronomy 5:29; Deuteronomy 6:2, 13, 14; Deuteronomy 13:4; Deuteronomy 14:22(23); Proverbs 3:7; Psalm 33:10 (), and many other passages; very often in Sir., cf. Wahl, Clavis Apocr. V. T., under the word, at the end); οἱ φοβούμενοι τόν Θεόν specifically, of proselytes: Acts 13:16, 26 (see σέβω). Compare: ἐκφοβέω. [SYNONYMS: ἐκπλήσσεσθαι to be astonished, properly, to be struck with terror, of a sudden and startling alarm; but, like our astonish in popular use, often employed on comparatively slight occasions, and even then with strengthening particles (as σφόδρα Matthew 19:25, ὑπερπερισσῶς Mark 7:37); πτόειν to terrify, to agitate with fear; τρέμειν, to tremble, predominantly physical; φόβειν to fear, the general term; often used of a protracted state. Cf. Schmidt, chapter 139.]

Topical Lexicon

Semantic Range and Nuances

Strong’s Greek 5399 (phobeō) moves along a spectrum from healthy reverence to crippling terror. Context determines whether the term conveys (1) worshipful awe toward God, (2) prudent caution, or (3) faith-less dread. The same root can therefore describe the holy fear that produces obedience (Philippians 2:12) and the servile fear that paralyses (Matthew 25:25).

Old Testament and Second Temple Background

In the Septuagint phobeō commonly translates יָרֵא (yārē’), the foundational “fear of the LORD.” This covenant motif joins love and obedience (Deuteronomy 10:12), shaping Israel’s worship. By the first century “God-fearing” (Acts 10:2; 13:16) had become a technical description of Gentiles attracted to Israel’s monotheism and ethics without full proselytism, preparing the soil for gospel proclamation.

Fear as Reverence Toward God

Jesus restores true fear by directing attention to God alone: “But I will show you whom you should fear: fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell” (Luke 12:5). Revelation echoes the call to every nation: “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come” (Revelation 14:7). Such fear is never irrational; it is the sober recognition of divine holiness and sovereignty that nurtures worship (Revelation 15:4) and righteous living (Colossians 3:22).

Fear in Relation to Christ the Messiah

The disciples’ journey exposes misplaced fear and invites faith. When the storm is stilled “they were terrified and asked one another, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!’” (Mark 4:41). Yet moments of dread are answered with messianic assurance: “Do not be afraid; only believe” (Mark 5:36). Post-resurrection appearances carry the same refrain (Matthew 28:5,10), proving that the risen Lord, not hostile powers, commands the believer’s destiny.

Fear as Dread or Cowardice to be Overcome

Herod feared public opinion (Matthew 14:5); Pilate feared Caesar (John 19:8); the council feared the crowds (Acts 5:26). Such fear enslaves, distorts judgment, and opposes the purposes of God. The parable of the talents unmasks this bondage: “So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground” (Matthew 25:25). Scripture consistently contrasts this fruitless fear with courageous obedience born of faith (Hebrews 11:23,27).

Pastoral and Discipleship Implications

Commands in the imperative present—“Stop being afraid” (Matthew 10:28,31; Luke 12:32)—present fearlessness as an ongoing discipline. The pastor equips believers to replace anxiety with reverent confidence through:
• Sound doctrine: grounding hearts in the character of God (Hebrews 13:6).
• Prayer: the antidote to alarm (Philippians 4:6-7; cf. Acts 27:24).
• Mutual encouragement: perfect love within the body “drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).

Evangelistic and Missional Contexts

Luke highlights “God-fearing” Gentiles (Acts 10:2; 13:26) whose awakened conscience responds readily to the gospel. Today the term guides mission strategy toward seekers already sensitised to transcendence. Conversely, Galatians 2:12 warns against compromising truth out of fear of human opinion—an ever-present temptation in cross-cultural ministry.

Eschatological and Worship Dimensions

Reverent fear undergirds apocalyptic vision. Nations that refuse to fear God incur wrath (Revelation 11:18), whereas the heavenly multitude exults: “Praise our God, all you His servants … you who fear Him” (Revelation 19:5). Thus fear becomes eschatological alignment—either joyful submission or rebellious horror.

Illustrative Passages

Luke 12:5 – holy fear directed to God alone.

Acts 10:2 – “God-fearing” Cornelius prepared for salvation.

Mark 5:36 – fear displaced by faith in Christ.

Hebrews 4:1 – a cautionary fear lest any “seem to have fallen short.”

Revelation 14:7 – universal summons to fear God in light of final judgment.

Summary and Theological Reflection

Phobeō uncovers the heart’s object of ultimate concern. Scripture never denies the emotion of fear; it redirects it. Rightly ordered, fear honors God, produces wisdom, and energizes mission. Disordered, it muzzles testimony and spurns grace. The gospel therefore both instills and expels fear: instills awe before the Holy One, expels dread through the perfect love revealed at the cross and guaranteed by the resurrection.

Forms and Transliterations

εφοβείσθε εφοβειτο εφοβείτο ἐφοβεῖτο εφοβηθη εφοβηθή εφοβήθη ἐφοβήθη εφοβήθημεν εφοβήθην εφοβήθης εφοβηθησαν εφοβηθήσαν εφοβήθησαν ἐφοβήθησαν εφοβήθητε εφοβουμην εφοβούμην ἐφοβούμην εφοβουντο εφοβούντο ἐφοβοῦντο πεφόβησθε φοβεισθαι φοβείσθαι φοβείσθαί φοβεῖσθαι φοβείσθε φοβείσθέ φοβεῖσθε φοβείσθω φοβείται φοβη φοβή φοβῇ φοβηθεις φοβηθείς φοβηθεὶς φοβηθεισα φοβηθείσα φοβηθεῖσα φοβηθεντες φοβηθέντες φοβηθη φοβηθή φοβηθῇ φοβηθήναι φοβηθήναί φοβηθης φοβηθής φοβηθῇς φοβηθήσεσθε φοβηθήσεται φοβηθήση φοβήθηση φοβηθησομαι φοβηθήσομαι φοβηθησόμεθα φοβηθήσονται φοβηθήσονταί φοβηθητε φοβηθήτε φοβηθῆτε φοβήθητε φοβηθήτω φοβηθήτωσαν φοβηθώ φοβηθωμεν φοβηθώμεν φοβηθῶμεν φοβηθώσι φοβηθώσιν φοβήσαι φοβήσθε φοβηται φοβήται φοβῆται φοβου φοβού φοβοῦ φόβου φοβουμαι φοβούμαι φοβοῦμαι φοβουμεθα φοβούμεθα φοβουμεναι φοβούμεναι φοβουμενοι φοβούμενοι φοβούμενοί φοβουμενοις φοβουμένοις φοβουμενος φοβούμενος φοβουμένους φοβουμένων φοβούνται φοβώνται φοβώνταί ephobeito ephobeîto ephobethe ephobēthē ephobḗthe ephobḗthē ephobethesan ephobēthēsan ephobḗthesan ephobḗthēsan ephoboumen ephoboumēn ephoboúmen ephoboúmēn ephobounto ephoboûnto phobe phobē phobêi phobē̂i phobeisthai phobeîsthai phobeisthe phobeîsthe phobetai phobêtai phobētai phobē̂tai phobethe phobēthē phobethêi phobēthē̂i phobetheis phobetheìs phobethêis phobētheis phobētheìs phobēthē̂is phobetheisa phobetheîsa phobētheisa phobētheîsa phobethentes phobethéntes phobēthentes phobēthéntes phobethes phobēthēs phobethesomai phobethḗsomai phobēthēsomai phobēthḗsomai phobethete phobethête phobēthēte phobēthē̂te phobḗthete phobḗthēte phobethomen phobethômen phobēthōmen phobēthō̂men phobou phoboû phoboumai phoboûmai phoboumenai phoboúmenai phoboumenoi phoboúmenoi phoboúmenoí phoboumenois phobouménois phoboumenos phoboúmenos phoboumetha phoboúmetha

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 1:20 V-ASP-2S
GRK: Δαυίδ μὴ φοβηθῇς παραλαβεῖν Μαρίαν
NAS: of David, do not be afraid to take
KJV: thou son of David, fear not to take
INT: of David not fear to take to [you] Mary

Matthew 2:22 V-AIP-3S
GRK: αὐτοῦ Ἡρῴδου ἐφοβήθη ἐκεῖ ἀπελθεῖν
NAS: Herod, he was afraid to go
KJV: Herod, he was afraid to go
INT: of him Herod he was afraid there to go

Matthew 9:8 V-AIP-3P
GRK: οἱ ὄχλοι ἐφοβήθησαν καὶ ἐδόξασαν
NAS: saw [this], they were awestruck, and glorified
INT: the crowds marveled and glorified

Matthew 10:26 V-AMP-2P
GRK: μὴ οὖν φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς οὐδὲν
NAS: Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing
KJV: Fear them not
INT: Not therefore you should fear them nothing

Matthew 10:28 V-ASP-2P
GRK: καὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε ἀπὸ τῶν
NAS: Do not fear those who kill
KJV: And fear not them which
INT: And not you should fear because of those who

Matthew 10:28 V-PMM/P-2P
GRK: δυναμένων ἀποκτεῖναι φοβεῖσθε δὲ μᾶλλον
NAS: but rather fear Him who is able
KJV: but rather fear him which is able
INT: are able to kill you should fear moreover rather

Matthew 10:31 V-PMM/P-2P
GRK: μὴ οὖν φοβεῖσθε πολλῶν στρουθίων
NAS: So do not fear; you are more valuable
KJV: Fear ye not therefore,
INT: Not therefore you should fear than many sparrows

Matthew 14:5 V-AIP-3S
GRK: αὐτὸν ἀποκτεῖναι ἐφοβήθη τὸν ὄχλον
NAS: to put him to death, he feared the crowd,
KJV: to death, he feared the multitude,
INT: him to kill he feared the multitude

Matthew 14:27 V-PMM/P-2P
GRK: εἰμι μὴ φοβεῖσθε
NAS: Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.
KJV: be not afraid.
INT: It is not fear

Matthew 14:30 V-AIP-3S
GRK: ἄνεμον ἰσχυρὸν ἐφοβήθη καὶ ἀρξάμενος
NAS: the wind, he became frightened, and beginning
KJV: boisterous, he was afraid; and
INT: wind boisterous he was afraid and having begun

Matthew 17:6 V-AIP-3P
GRK: αὐτῶν καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα
NAS: face down to the ground and were terrified.
KJV: and were sore afraid.
INT: of them and were terrified greatly

Matthew 17:7 V-PMM/P-2P
GRK: καὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε
NAS: Get up, and do not be afraid.
KJV: be not afraid.
INT: and not be terrified

Matthew 21:26 V-PIM/P-1P
GRK: Ἐξ ἀνθρώπων φοβούμεθα τὸν ὄχλον
NAS: From men,' we fear the people;
KJV: Of men; we fear the people; for
INT: From men we fear the multitude

Matthew 21:46 V-AIP-3P
GRK: αὐτὸν κρατῆσαι ἐφοβήθησαν τοὺς ὄχλους
NAS: to seize Him, they feared the people,
KJV: on him, they feared the multitude,
INT: him to lay hold of they feared the crowds

Matthew 25:25 V-APP-NMS
GRK: καὶ φοβηθεὶς ἀπελθὼν ἔκρυψα
NAS: And I was afraid, and went away
KJV: And I was afraid, and went and hid
INT: and having been afraid having gone away I hid

Matthew 27:54 V-AIP-3P
GRK: τὰ γενόμενα ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα λέγοντες
NAS: became very frightened and said,
KJV: those things that were done, they feared greatly,
INT: the things that took place feared greatly saying

Matthew 28:5 V-PMM/P-2P
GRK: γυναιξίν Μὴ φοβεῖσθε ὑμεῖς οἶδα
NAS: to the women, Do not be afraid; for I know
KJV: and said unto the women, Fear not ye:
INT: women not Fear you I know

Matthew 28:10 V-PMM/P-2P
GRK: Ἰησοῦς Μὴ φοβεῖσθε ὑπάγετε ἀπαγγείλατε
NAS: said to them, Do not be afraid; go
KJV: Be not afraid: go tell
INT: Jesus not Fear Go tell

Mark 4:41 V-AIP-3P
GRK: καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν
NAS: They became very much afraid and said
KJV: And they feared exceedingly, and
INT: And they feared [with] fear great

Mark 5:15 V-AIP-3P
GRK: λεγιῶνα καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν
NAS: the legion; and they became frightened.
KJV: and they were afraid.
INT: legion and they were afraid

Mark 5:33 V-APP-NFS
GRK: δὲ γυνὴ φοβηθεῖσα καὶ τρέμουσα
NAS: But the woman fearing and trembling,
KJV: But the woman fearing and trembling,
INT: and [the] woman having been frightened and trembling

Mark 5:36 V-PMM/P-2S
GRK: ἀρχισυναγώγῳ Μὴ φοβοῦ μόνον πίστευε
NAS: to the synagogue official, Do not be afraid [any] [longer], only
KJV: Be not afraid, only believe.
INT: ruler of the synagogue Not fear only believe

Mark 6:20 V-IIM/P-3S
GRK: γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ἐφοβεῖτο τὸν Ἰωάννην
NAS: for Herod was afraid of John, knowing
KJV: For Herod feared John, knowing
INT: indeed Herod feared John

Mark 6:50 V-PMM/P-2P
GRK: εἰμι μὴ φοβεῖσθε
NAS: to them, Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.
KJV: be not afraid.
INT: am [he] not fear

Mark 9:32 V-IIM/P-3P
GRK: ῥῆμα καὶ ἐφοβοῦντο αὐτὸν ἐπερωτῆσαι
NAS: [this] statement, and they were afraid to ask
KJV: and were afraid to ask
INT: saying and were afraid him to ask

Strong's Greek 5399
95 Occurrences

ἐφοβήθη — 5 Occ.
ἐφοβήθησαν — 14 Occ.
ἐφοβεῖτο — 1 Occ.
ἐφοβούμην — 1 Occ.
ἐφοβοῦντο — 10 Occ.
φοβῇ — 1 Occ.
φοβῆται — 1 Occ.
φοβηθῇ — 1 Occ.
φοβηθῇς — 1 Occ.
φοβηθήσομαι — 1 Occ.
φοβηθῆτε — 7 Occ.
φοβηθεὶς — 3 Occ.
φοβηθεῖσα — 1 Occ.
φοβηθέντες — 1 Occ.
φοβηθῶμεν — 1 Occ.
φοβεῖσθαι — 1 Occ.
φοβεῖσθε — 12 Occ.
φοβοῦ — 13 Occ.
φοβοῦμαι — 4 Occ.
φοβούμεναι — 1 Occ.
φοβούμενοι — 6 Occ.
φοβουμένοις — 2 Occ.
φοβούμενος — 6 Occ.
φοβούμεθα — 1 Occ.