### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ἔντρομος (éntromos), Strong's number `{{G1790}}`, is a compound adjective derived from the preposition ἐν (en), meaning "in" or "within," and the noun τρόμος (trómos), meaning "trembling" or "terror." Therefore, its core meaning is "in a state of trembling" or "within terror." It describes a profound internal and often physical reaction to fear, awe, or alarm, leading to a visible shaking or quaking. Unlike a general sense of fear (φόβος, `{{G5401}}`), ἔντρομος specifically denotes the physical manifestation of that fear, indicating a deep, visceral impact on the individual. It conveys a sense of being utterly shaken to the core, beyond mere apprehension.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ἔντρομος appears twice in the New Testament, and in both instances, it describes the profound reaction of Moses to a direct encounter with the divine presence:
1. **Acts 7:32**: In Stephen's sermon, recounting the history of Israel, he describes Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush: "I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' And Moses trembled and dared not look." [[Acts 7:32]]. Here, ἔντρομος highlights Moses' immediate and overwhelming awe and fear in the face of the holy, unapproachable God. His trembling is a natural, physical response to the revelation of divine majesty and presence. It signifies not a fear of punishment, but a profound reverence and terror before the Wholly Other.
2. **Hebrews 12:21**: This passage describes the terrifying manifestation of God's presence at Mount Sinai during the giving of the Law: "So terrifying was the sight that Moses said, 'I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.'" [[Hebrews 12:21]]. This verse underscores the formidable and awe-inspiring nature of the Old Covenant's revelation. Moses, the mediator of that covenant, himself experienced profound fear and physical trembling in the immediate vicinity of God's glory and holiness. The use of ἔντρομος here emphasizes the unapproachability and overwhelming power of God as revealed under the Law, setting the stage for the contrast with the New Covenant's access through Christ.
In both contexts, ἔντρομος consistently depicts a human being's (specifically Moses') visceral, physical response to the direct, overwhelming presence of God. It is a fear rooted in awe and reverence for divine holiness and power, rather than merely a fear of harm.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several Greek words share semantic overlap or are conceptually related to ἔντρομος:
* **τρόμος (trómos)** `{{G5156}}`: The root noun itself, meaning "trembling" or "terror." ἔντρομος describes the state of being *in* τρόμος.
* **τρέμω (trémō)** `{{G5141}}`: The verb "to tremble" or "to quake." ἔντρομος describes one who is actively τρέμω.
* **φόβος (phóbos)** `{{G5401}}`: General fear, dread, or reverence. While ἔντρομος describes a *manifestation* of fear, φόβος is the broader concept of fear itself, which can range from terror to reverential awe.
* **ἔκφοβος (ékphobos)** `{{G1630}}`: Meaning "utterly terrified" or "greatly alarmed," similar in intensity to ἔντρομος but perhaps emphasizing being "out of" or "away from" a normal state due to fear.
* **πτοέω (ptoéō)** `{{G4422}}`: To terrify or startle. The passive form, πτοέομαι, means to be terrified or startled.
* **ἔκστασις (ékstasis)** `{{G1611}}`: A state of being "out of oneself," often associated with amazement, bewilderment, or trance, sometimes accompanied by physical reactions.
* **Concepts**: Awe, reverence, dread, divine presence, theophany, human frailty, holiness, unapproachability.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἔντρομος lies primarily in its consistent association with humanity's encounter with the Holy God.
1. **Divine Holiness and Power**: The word powerfully underscores the overwhelming and awe-inspiring nature of God's presence. When God reveals Himself directly, the natural human response is one of profound fear and physical trembling. This is not merely a psychological reaction but a visceral acknowledgment of the Creator's infinite power and absolute holiness, before which finite, sinful humanity is utterly undone.
2. **Human Frailty and Unworthiness**: The trembling signifies the immense chasm between the divine and the human. It highlights humanity's inherent weakness and unworthiness to stand directly in the presence of God's unmediated glory. This fear is a recognition of God's majesty and a healthy response to His transcendent otherness.
3. **Contrast of Covenants (Hebrews)**: In Hebrews 12, the use of ἔντρομος regarding Moses at Sinai serves a crucial theological purpose. It vividly portrays the terrifying nature of the Old Covenant's revelation, where God's holiness was manifested in fire, darkness, and a trumpet blast, inspiring utter dread and separation. This is then contrasted with the New Covenant, where believers approach Mount Zion—the heavenly Jerusalem—not with trembling fear but with confidence, through the blood of Jesus. Yet, even in the New Covenant, the call is to serve God with "reverence and awe" (μετὰ αἰδοῦς καὶ εὐλαβείας, [[Hebrews 12:28]]), acknowledging that "our God is a consuming fire" [[Hebrews 12:29]]. Thus, ἔντρομος emphasizes the dramatic shift in access and relationship, but not a diminution of God's inherent holiness or power.
4. **Awe-Filled Reverence**: While describing terror, ἔντρομος also points to a profound reverence. It is the fear that leads to worship and obedience, recognizing God's supreme authority and majesty.
### Summary
The Greek word ἔντρομος (éntromos, `{{G1790}}`) signifies a state of being profoundly terrified or greatly alarmed, resulting in physical trembling. Its two occurrences in the New Testament, both describing Moses' encounters with God's overwhelming presence at the burning bush and Mount Sinai, are highly significant. In these contexts, ἔντρομος powerfully conveys the visceral human reaction—awe-filled terror and physical quaking—to the direct manifestation of divine holiness and power. The word underscores the unapproachable majesty of God and humanity's inherent frailty before Him. In Hebrews 12, it serves to highlight the terrifying nature of the Old Covenant's revelation, providing a stark contrast to the confident access believers now have to God through Christ in the New Covenant, while still maintaining the imperative for reverent awe before our consuming God. Thus, ἔντρομος speaks to the deep, physical impact of encountering the Living God, a response of profound reverence and awe before the Wholly Other.
TRV