Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the concept of "frightening" often relates to the fear of God, the fear of judgment, and the fear experienced by individuals in response to divine encounters or supernatural events. The Bible presents fear as a multifaceted emotion, encompassing both reverence and terror, depending on the context and the nature of the encounter.Fear of God The fear of God is a central theme in Scripture, often associated with wisdom and obedience. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This type of fear is not merely about being frightened but involves a deep respect and awe for God's power and holiness. It is a recognition of His authority and a motivation to live righteously. Divine Encounters Throughout the Bible, individuals who encounter God or His messengers often experience fear. In Exodus 3:6, when Moses encounters God in the burning bush, he hides his face because he is afraid to look at God. Similarly, in Isaiah 6:5, the prophet Isaiah, upon seeing a vision of the Lord, exclaims, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts." Supernatural Events The Bible records numerous supernatural events that evoke fear. In the New Testament, the disciples are terrified when Jesus walks on water. Mark 6:49-50 recounts, "But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they cried out, thinking He was a ghost— for they all saw Him and were terrified. But Jesus spoke up at once: 'Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.'" Fear of Judgment The fear of impending judgment is another aspect of biblical fear. Hebrews 10:31 warns, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." This fear serves as a deterrent against sin and a reminder of the consequences of disobedience. Revelation 6:15-17 describes the fear of those facing God's wrath: "Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they said to the mountains and the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?'" Fear and Faith While fear is a natural human response, the Bible encourages believers to overcome fear through faith. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control." Believers are called to trust in God's sovereignty and protection, as seen in Psalm 56:3-4: "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Conclusion The biblical portrayal of fear encompasses both the reverence due to God and the natural human response to the unknown or the divine. While fear can be a powerful motivator for obedience and reverence, believers are encouraged to place their trust in God, who provides strength and courage in the face of fear. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Frighten.Greek 1809. exaiteo -- to ask for oneself (mid.), demand ... 1809 ("totally hand over") only occurs in Lk 22:31. Here Satan requests Peter be God's hands -- and . (What a frightening place to land!). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1809.htm - 7k 5400. phobetron -- a (cause of) terror Library 'the Angel Adjutant' Christ's Curate in Decapolis Diamond Woke Very Early in the Morning, and Thought what a Curious ... Against "The Roaring Lions" The Call Intensified "Little Mother" Rom. vii. 14 John Chapter xiii. 10-15. And Yet, O You -- if it is Plain and Clear to You that The... Already in Passing I have Spoken on These Things... Thesaurus Frightening (4 Occurrences)... n.) of Frighten. Multi-Version Concordance Frightening (4 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 10:9 that I may not seem as if I was frightening you by letters: (DBY RSV) ... /f/frightening.htm - 7k Frightful (2 Occurrences) Frighteneth (1 Occurrence) Affright (10 Occurrences) Resources Why is the idea of eternal damnation so repulsive to many people? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I help someone who is suicidal? | GotQuestions.org How can a Christian overcome the fear of witnessing? | GotQuestions.org Frightening: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Frightening (4 Occurrences)2 Corinthians 10:9 Job 13:21 Daniel 2:31 Daniel 7:7 Subtopics Related Terms |