The term "fearest" is an archaic form of the verb "fear," often found in older translations of the Bible. It is used to describe the act of fearing or showing reverence, particularly in relation to God. In the context of the Bible, fear can denote both a sense of terror or dread and a profound respect or awe, especially towards the divine.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Fear of the Lord: The concept of fearing God is central to biblical teaching. It encompasses both reverence and awe for God's majesty and holiness, as well as a recognition of His power and justice. This fear is not merely about being afraid but involves a deep respect and commitment to obeying God's commandments. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" . Here, "fear" is synonymous with a foundational respect that leads to wisdom and understanding.

2. Fear in Worship and Obedience: The fear of God is often linked to worship and obedience. In Deuteronomy 10:12, Moses instructs the Israelites, "And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul" . This passage highlights that fearing God involves a holistic devotion that includes love, service, and adherence to His ways.

3. Fear as a Response to God's Presence: Throughout the Bible, individuals often respond with fear when encountering God's presence or His messengers. In Exodus 20:18-20, after witnessing the thunder and lightning on Mount Sinai, the Israelites trembled with fear. Moses reassured them, saying, "Do not be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning" . This illustrates how fear serves as a deterrent against sin and a motivator for righteous living.

4. Fear and Faith: The New Testament continues to explore the relationship between fear and faith. In the Gospels, Jesus frequently addresses fear, encouraging His followers to trust in God. In Matthew 10:28, Jesus advises, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell" . This teaching emphasizes the importance of fearing God above all earthly threats, reinforcing the eternal perspective of faith.

5. Fear in the Early Church: The early Christian community also grappled with fear, particularly in the face of persecution. Acts 9:31 describes the church as "walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers" . This passage suggests that a healthy fear of God, coupled with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, contributed to the growth and resilience of the early church.

Theological Implications

The fear of the Lord is a multifaceted concept that plays a crucial role in the believer's relationship with God. It is both a response to His holiness and a guiding principle for ethical and spiritual conduct. While fear can imply dread, in the biblical sense, it is more accurately understood as a profound respect that leads to wisdom, obedience, and a deeper relationship with God. The fear of the Lord is foundational to understanding one's place before the Creator and is integral to living a life that honors Him.3016. yagor -- fearing
... Word Origin from yagor Definition fearing NASB Word Usage dread (2). afraid, fear.
From yagor; fearful -- afraid, fearest. see HEBREW yagor. 3015, 3016. ...
/hebrew/3016.htm - 6k

On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 55,"For My Flesh is Meat ...
... Therefore it is then that thou wilt have greater glory if thou shalt do
it; because if thou do it, thou fearest God. She has many ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxii on the words.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John xvi. 24, "Hitherto have Ye Asked ...
... Because thou fearest the punishment. But no one will know it. ... Because if thou do,
thou wilt be cast into hell fire. It is the fire thou fearest. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xcv on the words.htm

The Loftiness of God
... Come, then, thou humble soul; thou crushed and contrite soul; thou who fearest that
thou art not worthy of God's care; thou from whom God has taken so much ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxix the loftiness of.htm

Security of Christians.
... Well, but the Lord whom thou fearest will not leave thee to thy ignorance, nor yet
to thine enemies' power or subtlety, but will take it upon himself to be thy ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xvi security of christians.htm

1 John iv. 17-21
... may depart. For if thou as yet fearest God because of punishments, not yet
dost thou love Him whom thou in such sort fearest. Thou ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily ix 1 john iv.htm

The Great Preparatives for the Saints' Rest.
... If unclothing be the thing thou fearest, it is that thou mayest have better
clothing. If to be turned out of doors be the thing ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ii the great preparatives.htm

Psalm CXLII.
... fear. Either thou desireth something earthly, and he enters by this; or thou
fearest something earthly, and he enters by that. Close ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlii.htm

Psalm LXVII.
... Why therefore dost thou delay conversion? That which thou fearest when
good to lose, perchance if evil thou wilt lose still. If ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxvii.htm

The Essence of God Never Appeared in Itself. Divine Appearances to ...
... Yet not even for it, gross and abject as it is, does Scripture leave any room, for
it immediately adds: "For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 11 the essence of god.htm

Psalm XCVII.
... God. Why lovest thou to have what Christ hath, if thou fearest to suffer what
Christ did? ... What light fearest thou thou mayest lose? fearest ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcvii.htm

Fearest (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fearest (10 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Judges 7:10 But if thou
fearest to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host: (WBS). ...
/f/fearest.htm - 9k

Feareth (36 Occurrences)

/f/feareth.htm - 17k

Lad (66 Occurrences)
... Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any
thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not ...
/l/lad.htm - 27k

Liest (13 Occurrences)
... nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of long time, and
thou fearest me not? (ASV YLT). Ezekiel 4:4 And thou, lie ...
/l/liest.htm - 10k

Liftest (9 Occurrences)
... violent man. (ASV JPS). Job 11:15 For then thou liftest up thy face from blemish,
And thou hast been firm, and fearest not. (YLT). Job ...
/l/liftest.htm - 8k

Lied (13 Occurrences)
... laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest
me not? (KJV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Jeremiah 5:12 They have ...
/l/lied.htm - 10k

God-fearing (24 Occurrences)
... unto him. For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld
thy son, thine only son, from me. (See JPS). Genesis ...
/g/god-fearing.htm - 13k

Fearers (1 Occurrence)

/f/fearers.htm - 6k

Establishest (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 54:14 In righteousness thou establishest thyself, Be far from oppression,
for thou fearest not, And from ruin, for it cometh not near unto thee. (YLT). ...
/e/establishest.htm - 6k

Constant (16 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 51:13 And hast forgotten the LORD thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens,
and laid the foundations of the earth; and fearest continually all the ...
/c/constant.htm - 12k

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