The concept of being frightened or experiencing fear is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often illustrating the human response to divine encounters, the presence of evil, or impending danger. The Bible addresses fear in various contexts, providing both examples of fear and divine reassurance to overcome it.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, fear often arises in the presence of God or His messengers. For instance, when the Israelites witnessed the power of God at Mount Sinai, they were terrified. Exodus 20:18-19 states, "When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance. 'Speak to us yourself, and we will listen,' they said to Moses. 'But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.'"

Fear is also depicted in the context of warfare and threats from enemies. In Deuteronomy 20:3-4 , the Israelites are instructed not to be afraid when facing their enemies: "He shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you victory.'"

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, fear is often addressed in the context of faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The disciples frequently experienced fear, especially during events that demonstrated Jesus' divine authority. In Mark 4:39-40 , during the calming of the storm, Jesus addresses their fear: "Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. 'Why are you so afraid?' He asked. 'Do you still have no faith?'"

The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of fearing God rather than man. In Matthew 10:28 , Jesus teaches, "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."

Divine Reassurance

Throughout Scripture, God provides reassurance to His people, encouraging them not to be frightened. Isaiah 41:10 offers comfort: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness."

The Apostle Paul also addresses fear in his letters, encouraging believers to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. In 2 Timothy 1:7 , he writes, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control."

Conclusion

The Bible acknowledges the reality of fear but consistently points believers towards faith and trust in God as the antidote to fear. Through divine encounters, teachings, and reassurances, Scripture provides a framework for understanding and overcoming fear in the life of a believer.(v. t.) To disturb with fear; to throw into a state of alarm or fright; to affright; to terrify.1629. ekphobeo -- to frighten away
... to frighten away. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekphobeo Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-fob-eh'-o) Short Definition: I terrify exceedingly Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1629.htm - 6k

5399. phobeo -- to put to flight, to terrify, frighten
... to put to flight, to terrify, frighten. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phobeo
Phonetic Spelling: (fob-eh'-o) Short Definition: I fear, am terrified ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5399.htm - 9k

4426. pturo -- to be frightened
... to be frightened. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pturo Phonetic Spelling:
(ptoo'-ro) Short Definition: I frighten, terrify Definition: I frighten, terrify ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4426.htm - 6k

4422. ptoeo -- to terrify
... terrified" ().]. Word Origin a prim. word Definition to terrify NASB Word
Usage startled (1), terrified (1). frighten. Probably akin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4422.htm - 7k

2360. throeo -- to be troubled
... trouble. From threomai to wail; to clamor, ie (by implication) to frighten -- trouble.
(throeisthai) -- 1 Occurrence. (throeisthe) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2360.htm - 6k

2729. charad -- to tremble, be terrified
... root Definition to tremble, be terrified NASB Word Usage been careful (1), came
trembling (2), come trembling (2), disturb (2), frighten (3), frighten them ...
/hebrew/2729.htm - 6k

3372a. yare -- to fear
... dismayed (1), fear (165), fear and awesome (1), feared (36), fearful (1), fearful
thing (1), fearfully (1), fearing (5), fears (9), frighten (4), frightened (1 ...
/hebrew/3372a.htm - 6k

366. ayom -- terrible, dreadful
... dreaded (1). terrible. From an unused root (meaning to frighten); frightful --
terrible. 365b, 366. ayom. 367 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/366.htm - 5k

2865. chathath -- to be shattered or dismayed
... root Definition to be shattered or dismayed NASB Word Usage been shattered (3),
break (1), cracked (1), dismay (1), dismayed (26), frighten (1), shatter (1 ...
/hebrew/2865.htm - 6k

3372. yare' -- to fear
... To frighten -- affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully,
-ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see, terrible (act, -ness, thing). ...
/hebrew/3372.htm - 5k

1204. baath -- to fall upon, startle, terrify
... root Definition to fall upon, startle, terrify NASB Word Usage frighten (1), frightened
(1), overwhelmed (1), overwhelms (1), terrified (3), terrify (7 ...
/hebrew/1204.htm - 6k

We who are Without Fear Ourselves are not Seeking to Frighten You. ...
... Chapter IV. We who are without fear ourselves are not seeking to frighten
you? We who are without fear ourselves are not seeking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/to scapula/chapter iv we who are.htm

The Manich??ans Inquire Whence is Evil and by this Question Think ...
... propounder of a great question, while impersonating the great teacher, is himself
more ignorant in the matter concerning which he would frighten his opponent ...
/.../chapter 8 name manichaeans inquire.htm

David and Nathan
... You cannot frighten men into penitence, you may frighten them into remorse;
and the remorse may or may not lead on to repentance. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david and nathan.htm

The Earthquake (Preached October 11, 1863. )
... No one, my friends, wishes less than I, to frighten you, or to take a dark and gloomy
view of this world, or of God's dealings with men. ... To frighten you? ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xv the earthquake preached.htm

Philippians i. 22-26
... you of salvation.". Well said he, "affrighted," this is what befalls us from
our enemies, they only frighten. "In nothing" therefore ...
/.../homily iv philippians i 22-26.htm

Psalm XI.
... As if then it were said to this soul, why do they say to you, "Remove into the
mountains as a sparrow;" why do they frighten you with sinners, who "have bent ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xi.htm

Acts xxv. 23
... this let us do here: namely, if we see any one terrifying children, we do not hold
that man in admiration: since in fact whoever does frighten, only frightens ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily lii acts xxv 23.htm

Psalm CXLV.
... Let not the kingdom frighten us: it hath beauty also, wherewith to delight
us. ... Do not all these frighten him who considereth them? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlv.htm

Jefferson -- the Reconciliation
... I can conceive how she might frighten people for one generation, or for two, but
I can not conceive how she could frighten a dozen generations. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/jefferson the reconciliation.htm

Extracts No. viii.
... suffer death on his account, but were contented in having gained their object; to
do which, it was only necessary in the first instance to frighten the soldiers ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no viii.htm

Frighten (15 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Frighten (15 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 10:9 Let it not
seem as if I wanted to frighten you by my letters. (WEY DBY RSV NIV). ...
/f/frighten.htm - 10k

Fray (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Fight, or (v.) To become ragged at the ends. 2. (vt) To frighten; to
terrify; to alarm. 3. (vt) To bear the expense of; to defray. ...
/f/fray.htm - 8k

Carcasses (30 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:26 And thy dead body shall be food unto all birds of the heavens,
and unto the beasts of the earth; and there shall be none to frighten them away ...
/c/carcasses.htm - 15k

Frightened (38 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp.) of Frighten. Multi-Version Concordance
Frightened (38 Occurrences). Matthew 8:26 "Why are you so ...
/f/frightened.htm - 17k

Fright (3 Occurrences)

/f/fright.htm - 7k

Terrify (27 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To make terrible. 2. (vt) To alarm or shock with
fear; to frighten. Multi-Version Concordance Terrify (27 Occurrences). ...
/t/terrify.htm - 13k

En (19 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A suffix signifying to make, to cause, used to form verbs from
nouns and adjectives; as in strengthen, quicken, frighten. ...
/e/en.htm - 14k

Affright (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To impress with sudden fear; to frighten; to alarm.
2. (pa) Affrighted. 3. (n.) Sudden and great fear; terror. ...
/a/affright.htm - 10k

Scarecrow (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Anything set up to frighten crows or other birds
from cornfields; hence, anything terrifying without danger. ...
/s/scarecrow.htm - 7k

Startle (2 Occurrences)
... start. 2. (vt) To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten
suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise. 3 ...
/s/startle.htm - 7k

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