# fear, afraid, dread

## Definition:

The terms “fear” refers to the unpleasant emotion a person feels when experiencing a potential threat to their safety or well-being.  In the Bible, however, the term "fear" can also mean an attitude of worship, respect, awe, or obedience toward another person, usually someone powerful such as God or a king. The term "dread" refers to extreme or intense fear.

## Translation Suggestions:

* Depending on the context, the term “fear” can be translated in various ways, depending on the context. Some possibilities include: “be afraid;” “deeply respect,” or "deep respect;" “revere,” or "reverence;" or perhaps "be in awe of.”
* The phrase “fear not” could also be translated as “do not be afraid” or “stop being afraid.”
* The sentence “The fear of God fell on all of them” might be translated in various ways. Some possibilities include: “Suddenly they all felt a deep awe and respect for God;” or, “Immediately, they all felt very amazed and revered God deeply;” or, “Right then, they all felt very afraid of God (because of his great power).”

(See also: [marvel](../other/amazed.md), [awe](../other/awe.md), [Lord](../kt/lord.md), [power](../kt/power.md), [Yahweh](../kt/yahweh.md))

## Bible References:

* [1 John 04:18](rc://en/tn/help/1jn/04/18)
* [Acts 02:43](rc://en/tn/help/act/02/43)
* [Acts 19:15-17](rc://en/tn/help/act/19/15)
* [Genesis 50:21](rc://en/tn/help/gen/50/21)
* [Isaiah 11:3-5](rc://en/tn/help/isa/11/03)
* [Job 06:14](rc://en/tn/help/job/06/14)
* [Jonah 01:09](rc://en/tn/help/jon/01/09)
* [Luke 12:05](rc://en/tn/help/luk/12/05)
* [Matthew 10:28](rc://en/tn/help/mat/10/28)
* [Proverbs 10:24-25](rc://en/tn/help/pro/10/24)


## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H367, H926, H1204, H1481, H1672, H1674, H1763, H2119, H2296, H2727, H2729, H2730, H2731, H2844, H2849, H2865, H3016, H3025, H3068, H3372, H3373, H3374, H4032, H4034, H4035, H4116, H4172, H6206, H6342, H6343, H6345, H6427, H7264, H7267, H7297, H7374, H7461, H7493, H8175, G870, G1167, G1168, G1169, G1630, G1719, G2124, G2125, G2962, G5398, G5399, G5400, G5401

