Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "terrors" often refer to intense fear or dread, typically associated with divine judgment, the presence of God, or the consequences of sin. The concept of terror is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both the power of God and the frailty of humanity.
Old Testament References1.
Divine Judgment: Terrors are frequently depicted as instruments of God's judgment against the wicked. In
Job 18:11, Bildad describes the fate of the wicked: "Terrors frighten him on every side and harass his every step." This passage highlights the inescapable nature of divine retribution.
2.
The Presence of God: The presence of God can also evoke terror, as seen in the reaction of the Israelites at Mount Sinai. In
Exodus 20:18-19, the people trembled with fear at the thunder, lightning, and the sound of the trumpet, prompting them to plead with Moses to speak to God on their behalf.
3.
Prophetic Warnings: The prophets often warned of impending terror as a consequence of Israel's disobedience. In
Isaiah 2:19, the prophet speaks of a day when people will hide in caves from the terror of the LORD and the splendor of His majesty when He rises to shake the earth.
4.
Psalms and Wisdom Literature: The Psalms frequently express the psalmist's experience of terror, often in the context of seeking refuge in God.
Psalm 91:5 assures the faithful, "You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day," emphasizing God's protection over His people.
New Testament References1.
Fear of Judgment: The New Testament continues the theme of terror in the context of divine judgment. In
2 Corinthians 5:11, Paul writes, "Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men." Here, the fear of the Lord is linked to the awareness of His judgment and the urgency of the gospel message.
2.
Revelation: The Book of Revelation vividly portrays scenes of terror associated with the end times.
Revelation 6:15-17 describes kings, generals, and the mighty hiding in caves, calling to the mountains and rocks to fall on them to hide them from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.
3.
Christ's Authority: The New Testament also presents Jesus Christ as having authority over all fears and terrors. In
Mark 4:39-40, Jesus calms the storm, rebuking the wind and the waves, and then questions His disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" This passage underscores the power of Christ over natural and supernatural fears.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of terror in the Bible serves as a reminder of the holiness and justice of God. It calls believers to a reverent fear of the Lord, recognizing His power and authority over all creation. At the same time, Scripture assures the faithful of God's protection and peace, encouraging trust in His sovereignty and love. The presence of terror in the biblical narrative ultimately points to the need for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who delivers from the ultimate terror of eternal separation from God.
Greek
5400. phobetron -- a (cause of) terror... It is used only in Lk 21:11. Word Origin from phobetros (something to be feared);
from phobeo Definition a (cause of) terror NASB Word Usage
terrors (1).
...Strong's Hebrew
1161. biuthim --terrors, alarms... 1160, 1161. biuthim. 1162 .
terrors, alarms. Transliteration: biuthim
Phonetic Spelling: (be-oo-theme') Short Definition:
terrors.
...368. Eymiym -- "terrors," an inhabitant of Moab
... 367, 368. Eymiym. 368a . "terrors," an inhabitant of Moab. Transliteration:
Eymiym Phonetic Spelling: (ay-meem') Short Definition: Emims. Emims...
368a. Emim -- "terrors," an inhabitant of Moab
... Emim. 368b . "terrors," an inhabitant of Moab. Transliteration: Emim Short Definition:
Emim. Word Origin pl. of emah Definition "terrors," an inhab....
1091. ballahah -- terror, dreadful event, calamity, destruction
... ballahah. 1092 . terror, dreadful event, calamity, destruction. Transliteration:
ballahah Phonetic Spelling: (bal-law-haw') Short Definition:terrors....
2849. chathchath -- terror
... 2848, 2849. chathchath. 2850 . terror. Transliteration: chathchath Phonetic
Spelling: (khath-khath') Short Definition:terrors....
6343. pachad -- dread
... disaster (1), dread (20), fear (9), great (1), great fear (1), great fear where
fear (1), object of dread (1), panic (1), terror (10),terrors (1), unconcerned...
367. emah -- terror, dread
... Origin from the same as ayom Definition terror, dread NASB Word Usage dread (2),
fear (1), fearsome (1), terrible (1), terrified (1), terror (8),terrors (3)....
4172. mora -- a fear, terror
... Word Origin from yare Definition a fear, terror NASB Word Usage fear (3), respect
(1), reverence (1), terror (3),terrors (1), what they fear (1), who is to be...
4712. metsar -- straits, distress
... distress. Word Origin from tsarar Definition straits, distress NASB Word
Usage distress (2),terrors (1). distress, pain, strait....
4032. magor -- fear, terror
... Definition: terror. Word Origin from gur Definition fear, terror NASB Word Usage
panic (1), terror (6),terrors (1). fear, terror. Or (Lam. 2...
Library
As theTerrors of Imagined Suffering are Always Worse than Actual...
... IV. As theterrors of imagined suffering are always worse than actual pain?
As theterrors of imagined suffering are always worse...
Easter Day 176. Jesus Lives! ThyTerrors Now
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Easter Day 176. Jesus lives! thyterrors now. 7.8.7.8.4
[677]St.... Alt. Jesus lives! thyterrors now. Can no longer, death, appall us;...
In the Second Place, Repentance and Grace are Obscured. ...
... But of what punishment, of what vengeance, does Augustine speak? Certainly of true
punishment, of true vengeance, namely, of contrition, of trueterrors....
Article xx: of Good Works.
... adversaries the manifest truth is condemned, whose defense is necessary for the
Church and increases the glory of Christ, we easily despise theterrors of the...
Thanksgiving to God for the Pardon Granted to the Offenders...
... thanks. For if the memory of theseterrors abide with us, we shall never
be overtaken by the actual experience of suchterrors....
"But what the Legends are of Every Kind which we Gather Together.....
... "But what the legends are of every kind which we gather together, or theterrors
which we invent," as Celsus without proof asserts, he who likes may show....
Death.
... sting, but with open mouth, in all his strength; yea, he sends his first-born, which
is guilt, to devour his strength and to bring him to the king ofterrors....
Another Mode of Justification
... Nor does it teach that by faith in Christ we overcome theterrors of sin and death....
When, in this doubt and in theseterrors, will it love God?...
Insensibility
... "More are drawn to Christ," says old Thomas Shepherd, "under a sense of a dead,
blind heart, than by all sorrows, humiliations, andterrors." The less of...
Natural Evil, or Suffering, and Especially the Suffering of...
... that the labours and sorrows of the present life, the loss of such joys as are left
to us at its close, and the dreadful agonies andterrors with which death...
Thesaurus
Terrors (21 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Terrors (21 Occurrences). Luke
... places. There will
be
terrors and great signs from heaven. (WEB ASV NAS RSV).
...Overwhelm (18 Occurrences)
... (See JPS NIV). Job 18:11Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, And shall
chase him at his heels. (See JPS). Job 30:15Terrors have turned on me....
Chase (14 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Job 18:11Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall chase
him at his heels. (WEB ASV DBY RSV). Job 30:15Terrors have turned on me....
Prosperity (66 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Job 15:21 A sound ofterrors is in his ears. In prosperity the destroyer
shall come on him.... (See NIV). Job 30:15Terrors have turned on me....
Swept (43 Occurrences)
... Psalms 73:19 How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with
terrors. (WEB NAS RSV NIV).... Yourterrors have cut me off. (See RSV NIV)....
Destroyer (23 Occurrences)
... Job 15:21 A sound ofterrors is in his ears. In prosperity the destroyer
shall come on him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)
... A second objection is seen in the difference of tone between these verses and Zephaniah
1. The latter, from beginning to end, speaks of theterrors of judgment...
Anguish (75 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV). Psalms 55:4 My heart is severely pained within me. Theterrors
of death have fallen on me. (See NAS RSV NIV). Psalms...
Thick (129 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV YLT RSV NIV). Job 24:17 For the morning is to all of them like thick
darkness, for they know theterrors of the thick darkness. (WEB ASV NAS)....
Suddenly (87 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 73:19 How they are suddenly destroyed!
They are completely swept away withterrors. (WEB BBE DBY NIV)....
Resources
What does the Bible say about nightmares / bad dreams? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the false prophet of the end times? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does God allow good things to happen to bad people? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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