### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H1161}}` (biʻûwthîym) is a masculine plural noun derived from the root verb `{{H1161}}` (baʻath), which means "to be terrified," "to dismay," or "to trouble suddenly." The plural form biʻûwthîym thus denotes "terrors," "alarms," or "dreads." The core semantic range emphasizes a sudden, overwhelming, and often paralyzing fear or fright. Unlike a general sense of apprehension, biʻûwthîym points to an intense, profound, and often multiple or pervasive experience of terror that can deeply disturb one's spirit and well-being. Its derivation from a verb signifying sudden disturbance underscores the abrupt and impactful nature of these terrors.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H1161}}` (biʻûwthîym) appears exclusively in the poetic books of Job and Psalms, always in contexts of profound suffering and distress, and notably, often attributed to divine agency.
1. **[[Job 6:4]]**: "For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; My spirit drinks their poison; The terrors of God are arrayed against me." Here, Job attributes his overwhelming suffering directly to "the terrors of God" (biʻûwthêy ʾělôah). This verse portrays divine judgment or affliction not merely as physical pain but as a deeply unsettling, spirit-consuming terror. The plural form suggests a multitude of frightful experiences or a pervasive state of dread.
2. **[[Job 7:14]]**: "Then You frighten me with dreams And terrify me by visions." While the verb here is baʻath (from which biʻûwthîym is derived), it directly relates to the experience of being terrified by God's actions. The context reinforces that God is the source of these unsettling dreams and visions, which bring about the state of biʻûwthîym.
3. **[[Psalm 88:15]]**: "I am afflicted and about to die from my youth on; I suffer Your terrors; I am distraught." The psalmist, Heman the Ezrahite, describes a lifelong experience of divine "terrors" (biʻûwthêykā), leading to a state of being "distraught" or "perplexed." This verse powerfully conveys a prolonged, deep spiritual and emotional anguish, where the very presence or actions of God are perceived as overwhelming and terrifying, contributing to a sense of being near death.
Across these occurrences, a consistent theme emerges: biʻûwthîym often describes terrors that are divinely orchestrated or permitted, overwhelming the individual and contributing to a profound sense of affliction and despair. These are not merely human anxieties but deeply unsettling experiences that challenge one's understanding of God and one's place in the world.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for `{{H1161}}` is its root verb `{{H1161}}` (baʻath), which denotes the act of terrifying or being terrified. Other Hebrew words conveying fear or dread include:
* `{{H3372}}` (yir'ah): Often translated as "fear," "awe," or "reverence." While it can denote negative fear, it frequently carries the positive connotation of reverential awe towards God, distinct from the purely negative and overwhelming nature of biʻûwthîym.
* `{{H6343}}` (pachad): Signifies "dread," "terror," or "trembling." Similar in intensity to biʻûwthîym, but pachad might not carry the same emphasis on suddenness or the specific attribution to divine agency as consistently as biʻûwthîym in its limited occurrences.
* `{{H2731}}` (charadah): Refers to "trembling," "anxiety," or "consternation," often implying a state of agitation or alarm.
Theological concepts related to biʻûwthîym include divine judgment, the overwhelming power and holiness of God, and the human experience of inexplicable suffering. It also touches upon the "fear of the Lord" in its most potent and awe-inspiring, sometimes terrifying, manifestation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1161}}` (biʻûwthîym) lies in its portrayal of the intense, often inexplicable, and profoundly disturbing aspects of humanity's encounter with the divine.
1. **Divine Sovereignty in Suffering**: The consistent attribution of biʻûwthîym to God in Job and Psalms highlights God's absolute sovereignty, even over the emotional and spiritual distress of individuals. These terrors are not random occurrences but are depicted as emanating from or permitted by God, challenging simplistic notions of suffering as merely a consequence of sin.
2. **The Depth of Human Anguish**: biʻûwthîym vividly articulates the profound depth of human anguish when suffering is perceived as divinely ordained or allowed. It speaks to a spiritual and emotional torment that goes beyond physical pain, touching the very core of one's being and relationship with the Creator.
3. **The Awe-Inspiring (and Terrifying) Nature of God**: While the "fear of the Lord" often connotes reverence and obedience, biʻûwthîym presents a facet of divine interaction that is undeniably terrifying. It reminds humanity of God's immense power, holiness, and inscrutable ways, which can overwhelm and humble the creature before the Creator.
4. **A Challenge to Theodicy**: In the book of Job, biʻûwthîym becomes a key descriptor of Job's suffering, which is not a result of his sin but part of a divine test. This use of the word challenges easy answers to the problem of evil, suggesting that sometimes God's ways involve profound and terrifying experiences for reasons beyond human comprehension.
### Summary
`{{H1161}}` (biʻûwthîym) denotes "terrors" or "alarms," emphasizing a sudden, overwhelming, and often pervasive sense of dread. Derived from the verb `{{H1161}}` (baʻath), meaning "to terrify suddenly," its usage in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in Job and Psalms, consistently points to terrors that are attributed to divine agency. These "terrors of God" are depicted as profound sources of human suffering and spiritual anguish, contributing to a state of being overwhelmed and distraught. Theologically, biʻûwthîym underscores God's sovereignty over all experiences, including profound distress, and highlights the awe-inspiring, sometimes terrifying, nature of encountering the divine. It serves as a powerful descriptor of intense, divinely-sourced dread that can challenge human understanding and deepen one's perception of God's inscrutable power.
TRV