The meaning of “יָרֵא”
Understanding yârêʼ reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
afraid, fear (-ful). - fearing - morally, reverent 1) fearing, reverent, afraid
יָרֵא
afraid, fear (-ful). - fearing - morally, reverent 1) fearing, reverent, afraid
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 32:11 | “Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.” Word: יָרֵא (yârêʼ) | |
| Judges 7:10 | “But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:” Word: יָרֵא (yârêʼ) | |
| 2 Kings 17:33 | “They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.” Word: יָרֵא (yârêʼ) | |
| Proverbs 14:16 | “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” Word: יָרֵא (yârêʼ) | |
| Jeremiah 42:11 | “Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the Lord: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.” Word: יָרֵא (yârêʼ) |