The Fear of Elohim in a Modern World
Word: Archaic
Definition: Something that is no longer in ordinary or widespread use; outdated
In today's English dictionaries, the phrase "the fear of God" — or rather the Fear of Elohim — is often labeled as archaic. A relic of old thought. An outdated idea. Something meant for another time, another people, another age.
But Scripture declares the complete opposite.
What the world now defines as outdated, Elohim defines as the beginning of wisdom and the very foundation of life, obedience, humility, and righteousness.
So this raises a sobering question:
Has the Fear of Elohim become archaic…
Or has the world grown too distant from Him to remember its necessity?
The Original Meaning of "Fear"
In modern usage, Fear usually means terror, panic, or something to escape from.
But in ancient language and Scriptural context, "fear" carried a much deeper, more reverent meaning.
The Hebrew word most often used is yir'ah (H3374), which means:
Reverence, awe, deep respect, honor
The Greek word phobos (G5401) in proper context can mean:
Fear, reverence, respect for authority, profound awe
So when Scripture tells us to fear Elohim, it is not commanding terror — it is calling us into:
• Reverence
• Awe
• Humility
• Submission
• Honor
• Awareness of His greatness
This is not fear that drives us away —
This is fear that draws us near.
The Fear of יהוה — The Beginning, Not the End
“The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Set-Apart One is understanding.”
— Mishlě (Proverbs) 9:10, TS2009
Fear is not the enemy of wisdom.
It is the doorway into it.
“The fear of יהוה is the beginning of knowledge…”
— Mishlě (Proverbs) 1:7, TS2009
“The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom; All those doing them have a good understanding. His praise stands forever.”
— Tehillim (Psalm) 111:10, TS2009
And as Scripture plainly concludes:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the entire matter: Fear Elohim and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind.”
— Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) 12:13, TS2009
If it applies to all mankind, then it did not expire with culture, technology, or modern ways of thinking.
The Fear of Elohim is not a trend.
It is an eternal truth.
Fear and Love — Not Opposites, but Companions
The world often teaches that Fear and love cannot exist together.
But Scripture reveals something even more profound for us.
As we reflected in 1 Corinthians 13, love is the greatest. Yet love does not grow apart from reverence — it grows out of it.
When I truly fear Elohim, I see His greatness.
When I see His greatness, gratitude rises.
From gratitude, love is born.
And love changes the way I walk and treat others.
“And now belief, expectation, and love remain — these three. But the greatest of these is love.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:13, TS2009
True reverence produces true love —for Elohim and for our neighbor.
This reverence is also what brings covering — a theme explored in our reflection on Covering vs Exposure, where obedience and humility are shown to be a place of protection, not limitation.
A World Without Reverence
Scripture never said the world would grow more reverent.
It said the world would grow more lawless.
“And because of the increase in lawlessness, the love of many shall become cold.”
— Mattithyahu (Matthew) 24:12, TS2009
Where the Fear of Elohim decreases:
• Wisdom disappears
• Truth is rejected
• Chaos moves in
“There is no fear of Elohim before their eyes.”
— Romiyim (Romans) 3:18, TS2009
This is not progress.
It is spiritual decay.
If Fear Is Archaic — Then So Is Obedience
If the Fear of Elohim is archaic, then so is:
• Obedience
• Humility
• Repentance
• Reverence
• Being set-apart
And yet He still declares:
“You shall be set-apart, for I יהוה your Elohim am set-apart.”
— Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 19:2, TS2009
“Serve יהוה with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”
— Tehillim (Psalm) 2:11, TS2009
“And now, Yisra’ĕl, what does יהוה your Elohim ask of you, but to fear יהוה your Elohim, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him…”
— Deḇarim (Deuteronomy) 10:12, TS2009
To fear Elohim is to walk a road the world now calls "old-fashioned" —
But Scripture calls set-apart.
The Call to the Ancient Path
“Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
and walk in it…”
— Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 6:16, TS2009
The old path is not dead.
It is not outdated.
It is the only living path.
And though the world runs further from it,
those who fear Elohim are still being called back to it.
Those Who Fear Him Will Always Look "Different"
To the world, the reverent ones will always seem:
• Too careful
• Too modest
• Too obedient
• Too set-apart
• Too unwilling to compromise
But Scripture declares:
“On this one I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My Word.”
— Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 66:2, TS2009
Those who still tremble at His Word are the ones He sees. This is the same path we spoke of in our calling to Walking in the Way of Yahuah — a lifestyle not shaped by modern thought, but by ancient truth.
A Final Reflection
Perhaps the real question is not whether the Fear of Elohim is outdated…
Perhaps the true question is:
Has the world grown too proud to tremble anymore?
For those who still walk in reverence, you are not behind the times —
You are walking in eternal truth.
What the world calls archaic,
Elohim calls set-apart.
And the Fear of יהוה…
is forever.
-SS
