The term "horrify" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept of horror and fear is present throughout the Scriptures. In the biblical context, horror often arises in response to the manifestation of God's judgment, the presence of evil, or the realization of sin. The Bible provides numerous instances where individuals or groups experience profound fear or dread, which can be understood as being horrified.

Divine Judgment and Horror

One of the most vivid depictions of horror in response to divine judgment is found in the prophetic literature. The prophets often describe the terror that accompanies the Day of the Lord, a time of divine wrath and judgment upon the nations. In the book of Joel, the Day of the Lord is portrayed as a time of darkness and gloom: "The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, and who can endure it?" (Joel 2:11). The overwhelming nature of God's judgment is enough to horrify those who witness it.

Similarly, in the book of Revelation, the apocalyptic visions given to John include scenes of great horror as God's final judgments are poured out upon the earth. The inhabitants of the earth are described as hiding in caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb" (Revelation 6:16). The fear and horror experienced by those who reject God are palpable in these passages.

The Presence of Evil

Horror is also a natural response to the presence of evil and demonic forces. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus encounters individuals possessed by demons, and the reactions of those witnessing these events often include fear and astonishment. In Mark 5, Jesus encounters a man possessed by a legion of demons. After Jesus casts the demons into a herd of pigs, the people of the region are described as being afraid: "Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region" (Mark 5:17). The power of evil and the authority of Jesus over it evoke a sense of horror and awe.

Realization of Sin

The realization of one's own sinfulness can also lead to a sense of horror. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet Isaiah experiences a vision of the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted. Confronted with the holiness of God, Isaiah is struck by his own unworthiness and sinfulness: "Woe to me!" I said. "For I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5). The horror of recognizing one's sin in the light of God's holiness is a recurring theme in Scripture.

Fear of the Lord

While horror is often associated with negative experiences, the Bible also speaks of the "fear of the Lord" as a positive and reverent response to God's majesty and holiness. This fear is not a paralyzing terror but a profound respect and awe for the Creator. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" . This reverential fear acknowledges God's power and authority, leading to wisdom and obedience.

In summary, while the specific term "horrify" is not used in the Bible, the concept is present in various forms, particularly in relation to divine judgment, the presence of evil, and the realization of sin. The biblical narrative consistently portrays horror as a response to the overwhelming power and holiness of God, as well as the reality of evil in the world.(v. t.) To cause to feel horror; to strike or impress with horror; as, the sight horrified the beholders.

Letter viii. --violent Temptations.
... At this time I have under my direction some who, in this respect, are in an
indescribable state, the mere account of which would horrify you. ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter viii violent temptations.htm

The Right to Live with the People of My Choice
... be able to live happily with any other missionary. This statement may horrify
some of my readers. If I had said I make it my ambition ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 9 the right to.htm

Concentration in Prayer
... and a shut door; and with that, their treatment of their Maker, of their children,
of their best friends, and of their own souls,"all horrify them when they ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/xix concentration in prayer.htm

The Voice of Job.
... He uses language which, used by any living man, would horrify the religious of the
present day, in proportion to the lack of truth in them, just as it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the voice of job.htm

Appendix: Polemical Fragments
... and adopting the monks' dress, in order to live in a more perfect state than ordinary
Christians, have fallen into excesses which horrify ordinary Christians ...
/.../pascal/pensees/section xiv appendix polemical fragments.htm

Saving Faith.
... The things that horrify you now, in the very thought or temptation to
them, you then were daily practising without compunction. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter ii saving faith.htm

A Mighty Saviour
... I could a tale unfold, of some who have plunged head-first into the blackest gulfs
of sin, which would horrify you and me, if we could allow them to recount ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/a mighty saviour.htm

Greek-Amerikan-Christian-Association
... shall awake and break every fetter, and shake off their feet every chain, and their
eyes shall be opened and they shall see things that will horrify them as a ...
/.../chapter x greek-amerikan-christian-association.htm

Horrify (1 Occurrence)
... (vt) To cause to feel horror; to strike or impress with horror; as, the sight horrified
the beholders. Multi-Version Concordance Horrify (1 Occurrence). ...
/h/horrify.htm - 6k

Horrified (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Horrify. Multi-Version Concordance
Horrified (5 Occurrences). Jeremiah 4:9 And it will come ...
/h/horrified.htm - 7k

Horror (51 Occurrences)

/h/horror.htm - 23k

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