The term "terror-stricken" refers to a state of extreme fear or dread, often resulting from a sudden or overwhelming sense of danger. In the biblical context, this condition is frequently depicted as a response to divine manifestations, angelic appearances, or impending judgment. The Bible provides numerous instances where individuals or groups are described as being terror-stricken, illustrating both the power of God and the human reaction to His presence and actions.

Biblical Instances:

1. Divine Manifestations:
In the Old Testament, encounters with the divine often left individuals terror-stricken. For example, when God descended upon Mount Sinai, the Israelites were filled with fear. Exodus 19:16 states, "On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled." This trembling reflects a terror-stricken response to the awesome presence of God.

2. Angelic Appearances:
Encounters with angels frequently induced terror. In the New Testament, when the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus, they were initially terrified. Luke 2:9 records, "Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." The angel's first words, "Do not be afraid," highlight the common reaction of fear in the presence of heavenly beings.

3. Judgment and Prophecy:
Prophetic declarations of judgment often left people terror-stricken. In the book of Daniel, King Belshazzar was struck with terror when he saw the mysterious handwriting on the wall. Daniel 5:6 describes his reaction: "His face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together." This vivid depiction underscores the fear that accompanies the realization of impending divine judgment.

4. Miraculous Events:
The miraculous works of Jesus also evoked fear. After Jesus calmed the storm, His disciples were left in awe and fear. Mark 4:41 states, "Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, 'Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'" Their terror-stricken state reflects a recognition of Jesus' divine authority and power.

Theological Implications:

The terror-stricken responses in the Bible often serve to underscore the holiness and majesty of God. They remind believers of the appropriate reverence and awe due to the Creator. The fear of the Lord, as depicted in these instances, is not merely a fear of punishment but a profound respect and acknowledgment of God's power and righteousness.

Furthermore, the Bible frequently juxtaposes terror with reassurance. Divine messengers often begin with words of comfort, such as "Do not be afraid," indicating that while God's presence is awe-inspiring, His intentions toward His people are ultimately for their good. This duality encourages believers to approach God with both reverence and trust, recognizing His sovereignty and His love.

Valentinus, Ptolemy and Secundus, Heracleon.
... [8388] For he was panic-stricken, he says, and terror-stricken, and overcome
with sadness; and of these passions he conceived and bare. ...
/.../tertullian/against all heresies/chapter iv valentinus ptolemy and secundus.htm

The Unseen Watcher
... shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt
be the third ruler in the kingdom." Before that terror-stricken throng, Daniel ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm

The Vagaries of Basilides and Valentinus as to Fear Being the ...
... Adam formed into the name of man inspired the dread attaching to the pre-existent
man, as having his being in him; and they were terror-stricken, and speedily ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter viii the vagaries of basilides.htm

Christian Unity.
... mallet of the auctioneer threatens the steeple-house, the young folks are off "golfing"
or "hiking," and the gray-beards, lonely and terror-stricken as they ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter v christian unity.htm

The Lost Opportunity
... Terror-stricken, he falls upon his face to cry aloud in the words of the text,
"And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the lost opportunity.htm

Stumbling-Stones, or Stepping-Stones?
... But when he looked upon the strength of his foes and his own weakness and lost sight
of God, he was overcome with fear and fled terror-stricken. ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-seven stumbling-stones or stepping-stones.htm

When this was Seen by Hades and Death, and their Impious Officers. ...
... In like manner, also, all the legions of the demons, terror-stricken with like fear
from their fearful overthrow, cried out, saying: Whence art thou, O Jesus ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 6 22 when this.htm

Heresies Hitherto Refuted; Opinions of the Docet??.
... (This seed is) a refuge for the terror-stricken, a shelter of the naked, a veil
for modesty, (and) the sought-for produce, to which He came in search (for fruit ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter i heresies hitherto refuted opinions.htm

Letter clxvii . To Rusticus, Bishop of Gallia Narbonensis, with ...
... And if a fiercer storm of tribulation fall upon us, let us not be terror-stricken
as if we had to overcome the disaster in our own strength, since both our ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter clxvii to rusticus.htm

How the Appointment was Kept.
... But before all this, the soldiers on guard, terror-stricken by the earthquake that
had taken place, and dazed at the sight of the "angel of the Lord" had fled ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/how the appointment was kept.htm

Terror-stricken (1 Occurrence)
Terror-stricken. Terrors, Terror-stricken. Tertius . Multi-Version
Concordance Terror-stricken (1 Occurrence). Isaiah ...
/t/terror-stricken.htm - 6k

Terrors (21 Occurrences)

/t/terrors.htm - 12k

Tertius (1 Occurrence)

/t/tertius.htm - 8k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
...Terror-stricken, the Midianites were put into dire confusion, and in the darkness
slew one another, so that only fifteen thousand out of the great army of one ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

Exodus (2 Occurrences)
... had visited even his palace.". The terror-stricken Egyptians now urged
the instant departure of the Hebrews. In the midst of the ...
/e/exodus.htm - 82k

Awful (20 Occurrences)
... fear; profoundly impressive. 3. (a.) Struck or filled with awe; terror-stricken.
4. (a.) Worshipful; reverential; law-abiding. 5. (a ...
/a/awful.htm - 12k

Moses (9295 Occurrences)
... PLAGUE). Who can tell the horror of that night when the Israelites were
thrust out of the terror-stricken land (Exodus 12:39)? As ...
/m/moses.htm - 53k

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