FEAR
Hebrew: H3372, H3373, H3374, H3375 — yārēʼ
Greek: G5401 — phobos
Definition
Noun —
An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
Archaic —
A mixed feeling of dread and reverence.
“The love and fear of God.”
Biblical Usage —
To fear, revere, be afraid.
“And Mosheh said to the people, ‘Do not fear, for Elohim has come to prove you, and that His fear is to be before you so as not to sin.’”
Shemoth (Exodus) 20:20
“That you fear יהוה your Elohim, to guard all His laws and His commands which I command you, you and your son and your grandson all the days of your life, and that your days be prolonged.”
Deḇarim (Deuteronomy) 6:2
“Therefore we do not fear, though the earth reels, and the mountains topple into the heart of the seas.”
Tehillim (Psalm) 46:2
“Let us hear the conclusion of all: Fear Elohim and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind. For Elohim brings every work into judgment, including all that is hidden, whether good or evil.”
Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) 12:13–14
In today’s language, fear is often associated with phobias — extreme dread, panic, or irrational terror. Yet in Scripture, fear is meant to be intense — not paralyzing, but holy and healthy. It is a deep, consuming awareness of Elohim’s power, authority, purity, and coming judgment.
This kind of fear does not drive one away from Elohim — it draws one into obedience, humility, and surrender. It is not a casual feeling. It is a life-altering awareness.
Fear Elohim, Not Man – Walking Under the Covering of Yahushua
Introduction
In a world where hearts shall one day fail for fear of what is coming upon the earth, the true believer is called to stand differently. Most people fear man, fear circumstances, fear loss, fear discomfort, fear the unknown. Yet Scripture teaches something greater:
We are to fear Elohim, not man — and in doing so, we find covering, refuge, and deliverance through Yahushua.
There will come a time when mankind will experience fear like never before — the kind that causes hearts to fail under the weight of what is coming. That fear will not be rooted in reverence, but in exposure and the realization that there is no covering.
Those who refuse to fear Elohim now will be forced to fear Him later.
But those who fear Him in truth today shall stand in shalom tomorrow.
I. A World That Fears the Wrong Things
The world is consumed by fear — loss of control, loss of comfort, loss of life, loss of identity, loss of security. This represents the fear of man. This is the fear of circumstances. This is fear without foundation.
But Scripture calls us to a different kind of fear:
“And Mosheh said to the people, ‘Do not fear, for Elohim has come to prove you, and that His fear is to be before you so as not to sin.’”
Shemoth (Exodus) 20:20
This fear — the fear of Elohim — is not meant to drive us into panic. This fear is intended to keep us from sin.
“Therefore we do not fear, though the earth reels, and the mountains topple into the heart of the seas.”
Tehillim (Psalm) 46:2
Fear of man produces instability.
Fear of Elohim produces steadfastness.
When all around us shakes, those who fear יהוה remain standing.
II. What It Means to Truly Fear Elohim
“Let us hear the conclusion of all: Fear Elohim and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind...”
Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) 12:13–14
These verses show that fear is the beginning of wisdom. It purifies and sets us apart.
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting set-apartness in the fear of Elohim.”
2 Corinthians 7:1
“And Shemu’ĕl said to the people, ‘Do not fear... serve יהוה with all your heart.’”
1 Samuel 12:20
“Fear יהוה, you His set-apart ones; for there is no lack to them who fear Him!”
Tehillim (Psalm) 34:9
“For יהוה is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all mighty ones.”
Tehillim (Psalm) 96:4
This is not a fearful terror — it is reverent awareness that leads to obedience, protection, and life.
A Personal Reflection: Learning Through the Prophets
Recently, I have been reading the Prophets — Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) and Yeḥezqĕĕl (Ezekiel). I find myself pausing often, pondering, chewing, and praying that this reverence for Elohim does not leave me, but grows stronger each day.
Over and over again, the prophets cried out to Yisra’ĕl:
“Turn back. Fear Elohim. Walk in His ways.”
Yet they would not.
Their stubbornness, their forgetfulness, their compromise — all of it stands as a warning to us today.
“And all these came upon them as examples and they were written to warn us, on whom the ends of the ages have come.”
1 Corinthians 10:11
Because of this, I have found myself walking more carefully and more thoughtfully, knowing that Elohim sees every moment.
So I examine my heart.
I examine my thoughts.
I examine my words.
I examine my actions.
Not in fear of man — but in fear and trembling before יהוה and His great Name, which I have the honor of representing in the earth.
May each one of us also walk this way — in humility, in reverence, and in awareness that He has graciously allowed us to bear His Name.
May we represent Him well.
A Family Reflection: Belief, Expectation, and Love
As a family, we recently went through 1 Corinthians 13. When we came to the end of the chapter, one verse in particular stood out:
“And now belief, expectation, and love remain - these three. but the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13
Here is one way we have come to understand why this is written in this order:
Because I have belief in Elohim and in His covering — Yahushua — for my sins, I now have expectation (hope) in the promise He has given, as long as I walk with Him and in His ways. And because of this expectation, love is produced within me — love for Elohim and love for others, my neighbor.
I love Elohim because I am deeply grateful for the way He has provided for my return to Him. I love others because I hope they will also come to a deeper understanding of the Truth by observing my actions.
This connection has strengthened my understanding of the fear of Elohim. When I truly fear Him, I walk in obedience. When I walk in obedience, expectation is built within me. And when expectation is alive, love overflows — for Elohim and for those around me.
This, too, is part of walking in reverence:
A life marked by belief, expectation, and love.
III. Yahushua: Yahuah’s Deliverance & Our Covering
There will be a day when the world’s false sense of safety collapses — and many will discover that they are uncovered.
“…men fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.”
Luke 21:26
That fear is the fear of exposure.
But in Yahushua, there is covering.
In Yahushua, there is refuge.
In Yahushua, there is deliverance.
Those who fear Elohim now are choosing safety. Those who reject Him now will meet Him later — uncovered.
IV. The Call to Share While There Is Time
“Knowing, therefore, the fear of יהוה, we persuade men…”
2 Corinthians 5:11
As believers in Yahuah and His coming return, we cannot remain silent. Knowing that the Great and Fearful Day of Yahuah is approaching, we must share the Good News.
The simplest way to begin is to examine ourselves and walk out our salvation — in secret and openly.
For example:
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Seeing where we have wronged another and asking forgiveness
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Choosing others before ourselves
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Walking in humility and truth
“Beloved ones… contend earnestly for the belief which was once for all delivered to the set-apart ones.” Yehudah (Jude) 1:2–3
“So the assembly throughout all Yehudah and Galil and Shomeron had peace and was built up. And walking in the fear of יהוה and in the encouragement of the Set-apart Spirit, it increased in number.” Acts 9:31
The fear of יהוה does not weaken the believer — it strengthens us.
V. Our Personal Response
“Work out your own deliverance with fear and trembling, for it is Elohim who is working in you both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12–13
This walk is daily.
This reverence is continual.
This obedience is active.
Conclusion: The Heart of יהוה
“Oh, that they had such a heart in them, to fear Me and guard all My commands always, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!”
Deuteṟonomy 5:29
Beloved ones, let your reverence for Elohim be deep and sincere. Let it be like a phobia toward sin, and let Yahushua’s covering be your peace as the world trembles.
May you walk always in the Way of יהוה.
SS
All Scripture quoted from the TS2009 unless otherwise noted.
