from ἐκ and φόβος; frightened out of one's wits:-- sore afraid, exceedingly fear.
Transliteration:ékphobos
Pronunciation:ek'-fob-os
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective ἔκφοβος (ékphobos, `{{G1630}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐκ (ek, `{{G1537}}`), meaning "out of" or "from," and the noun φόβος (phobos, `{{G5401}}`), meaning "fear" or "dread." The combination yields a powerful sense of fear that is extreme, overwhelming, and goes "out of" the normal bounds of composure. It describes a state of being utterly "frightened out of one's wits" or experiencing an intense, debilitating terror. Unlike a simple fear (φόβος), ἔκφοβος denotes a heightened, almost incapacitating dread, suggesting a loss of self-possession due to the intensity of the emotion. It implies a visceral, profound reaction to an awe-inspiring or terrifying stimulus.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἔκφοβος (ékphobos, `{{G1630}}`) appears twice in the New Testament, both instances highlighting a profound human reaction to divine manifestation:
1. **[[Mark 9:6]]**: During the Transfiguration of Jesus, Peter, witnessing the glorious appearance of Christ, Moses, and Elijah, and hearing the voice of God from the cloud, is described as ἔκφοβος (ékphobos) – "sore afraid." Peter's immediate, bewildered suggestion to build three tents underscores his disorientation and the overwhelming nature of the divine glory he was experiencing. His fear is not merely apprehension but a deep, unsettling terror in the face of the supernatural and the unmediated presence of God's majesty. It is a natural human response to the overwhelming divine.
2. **[[Hebrews 12:21]]**: The author of Hebrews, contrasting the Old Covenant established at Mount Sinai with the New Covenant in Christ, quotes Moses' reaction to the terrifying display at Sinai: "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling" (ἔκφοβος εἰμι καὶ ἔντρομος). This refers to the Old Testament account of God's descent on Sinai, marked by fire, darkness, tempest, and a trumpet blast, which was so terrifying that even Moses, who spoke with God face to face, was filled with extreme dread. This verse emphasizes the terrifying holiness and unapproachability of God under the Law, setting the stage for the gracious access offered through Christ.
In both contexts, ἔκφοβος describes a state of profound, overwhelming fear in response to a direct, powerful encounter with the divine. It is a fear that goes beyond mere apprehension, indicating a sense of being completely overcome and disoriented by the majesty and power of God.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **φόβος (phobos, `{{G5401}}`)**: The root word for fear, dread, or reverence. While φόβος can denote a healthy, reverential awe of God, ἔκφοβος specifically refers to an extreme, overwhelming, and potentially paralyzing terror.
* **φοβέω (phobeō, `{{G5399}}`)**: The verb "to fear" or "to be afraid." ἔκφοβος is an intensified state of this verb's meaning.
* **ἔντρομος (entromos, `{{G1790}}`)**: "Trembling" or "terrified." This word often accompanies ἔκφοβος, as seen in [[Hebrews 12:21]] ("exceedingly afraid and trembling"), indicating a physical manifestation of extreme fear and agitation.
* **δέος (deos, `{{G1161}}`)**: A sense of awe or dread, often associated with reverence. While related, ἔκφοβος emphasizes the terror aspect more intensely.
* **Concepts**: The word relates to the concepts of divine majesty, human frailty, the overwhelming nature of God's presence, holy terror, and the contrast between the Old and New Covenants in terms of approachability to God.
### Theological Significance
The use of ἔκφοβος (ékphobos, `{{G1630}}`) carries significant theological weight. It underscores the profound and often terrifying nature of direct encounters with the divine for fallen humanity.
1. **Divine Transcendence and Holiness**: The human reaction of ἔκφοβος in the presence of God's glory (Transfiguration) or His Law (Sinai) highlights God's utter transcendence and holiness. His majesty is so overwhelming that it evokes not merely respect, but a deep, unsettling terror in mortal beings. It reminds us that God is "a consuming fire" ([[Hebrews 12:29]]) and that His unmediated presence is too glorious for human endurance.
2. **Human Frailty and Inadequacy**: The word reveals the inherent weakness and inadequacy of humanity when confronted with divine power. Peter's bewilderment and Moses' trembling are testaments to the fact that humans, in their natural state, cannot stand confidently before the Almighty. This points to the need for a mediator and divine grace.
3. **Contrast Between Covenants**: In Hebrews, Moses' ἔκφοβος at Sinai serves as a stark contrast to the believer's access to God under the New Covenant. The Old Covenant, characterized by fear, fire, and a terrifying voice, established distance between God and His people. The New Covenant, however, invites believers to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace" ([[Hebrews 4:16]]), not to a mountain that burns with fire, but to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, through the blood of Jesus ([[Hebrews 12:18-24]]). The fear of the Old Covenant was a necessary response to a holy God revealing His standards, but it also underscored humanity's inability to meet those standards, thus highlighting the need for a better covenant.
### Summary
The Greek word ἔκφοβος (ékphobos, `{{G1630}}`) precisely conveys an extreme, overwhelming fear—a state of being "frightened out of one's wits." Its two occurrences in the New Testament, in [[Mark 9:6]] (Peter at the Transfiguration) and [[Hebrews 12:21]] (Moses at Sinai), both depict profound human reactions to direct, awe-inspiring manifestations of divine power and glory. This intense fear underscores the transcendent holiness of God and the inherent frailty of humanity in His presence. Theologically, ἔκφοβος serves to highlight the vast chasm between humanity and the unmediated divine, emphasizing the terrifying aspects of the Old Covenant and implicitly magnifying the grace and confident access afforded to believers through the New Covenant in Christ.
TRV