feminine of חָרֵד; fear, anxiety; care, [idiom] exceedingly, fear, quaking, trembling.
Transliteration:chărâdâh
Pronunciation:khar-aw-daw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun חֲרָדָה (chărâdâh, `{{H2731}}`) is derived from the verbal root חָרַד (charad, `{{H2729}}`), meaning "to tremble, to be afraid, to be anxious." As a feminine noun, חֲרָדָה denotes the state or act of trembling, fear, or anxiety. Its semantic range encompasses:
1. **Physical Trembling or Quaking:** This refers to an involuntary physical reaction, often brought on by intense fear, cold, or the overwhelming presence of the divine.
2. **Emotional Fear or Dread:** It signifies an internal state of apprehension, terror, or profound disquiet. This can range from a sudden shock to a sustained state of anxiety.
3. **Anxiety or Care:** In some contexts, it can convey a sense of deep concern or worry, though this nuance is less prominent than the meaning of fear or trembling.
4. **Idiomatic Intensifier:** Notably, חֲרָדָה is often used idiomatically with the verb חָרַד to emphasize the intensity of the fear or trembling, as in "to tremble a great trembling" or "to tremble exceedingly."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The noun חֲרָדָה appears in various significant contexts, illustrating its multifaceted meaning:
* **Intense Personal Fear/Shock:** One of the most striking uses is in [[Genesis 27:33]], where Isaac "trembled with an exceedingly great trembling" (חֲרָדָה גְּדֹלָה מְאֹד) upon realizing he had blessed Jacob instead of Esau. This vividly portrays the profound shock and dismay that seized him.
* **Divinely Induced Panic:** In [[1 Samuel 14:15]], חֲרָדָה describes the panic and trembling that fell upon the Philistine camp, a divinely orchestrated confusion that contributed to Israel's victory. This highlights God's power to instill fear in His enemies.
* **Overwhelming Distress and Anguish:** [[Psalm 55:5]] pairs חֲרָדָה with "fear" (פַּחַד, `{{H6343}}`) and "horror" (אֵימָה, `{{H367}}`), depicting the psalmist's profound emotional turmoil: "Fear and trembling (חֲרָדָה) come upon me; horror has overwhelmed me."
* **A State of Humiliation and Subjection:** In [[Ezekiel 26:16]], the princes of the sea are prophesied to "clothe themselves with trembling" (חֲרָדָה) as they witness the fall of Tyre. This imagery conveys not just fear, but a state of abject submission and despair.
* **Consequence of Disobedience:** While the noun חֲרָדָה itself may not always appear directly, the underlying concept of trembling and anxiety as a consequence of national disobedience is pervasive, as seen in the warnings of [[Deuteronomy 28:65]], where a "trembling heart" is promised to those who stray from God's covenant.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of חֲרָדָה is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **Verbal Root:** The most direct relation is to the verb חָרַד (charad, `{{H2729}}`), from which חֲרָדָה is derived. The verb means "to tremble, to be afraid, to be anxious," and its occurrences often describe the action that results in the state of חֲרָדָה.
* **Synonyms of Fear/Dread:**
* פַּחַד (pachad, `{{H6343}}`): "dread, terror," often implying a sudden, overwhelming fear.
* יִרְאָה (yirah, `{{H3374}}`): "fear, awe," a broad term that can denote both terror and reverent respect, especially in the context of the "fear of the Lord."
* רְעָדָה (re'adah, `{{H7461}}`): "trembling, quaking," often used interchangeably with חֲרָדָה to describe physical shaking.
* אֵימָה (eimah, `{{H367}}`): "terror, dread," often associated with a sense of divine or supernatural awe.
* **Concepts of Distress:** צָרָה (tsarah, `{{H6869}}`, "distress, trouble") and מְצוּקָה (metsuqah, `{{H4691}}`, "distress, anguish") are broader terms for suffering that can encompass the emotional state of חֲרָדָה.
The conceptual antonyms to חֲרָדָה include peace (שָׁלוֹם, shalom, `{{H7965}}`), security (בֶּטַח, betach, `{{H983}}`), and confidence (בִּטָּחוֹן, bittachon, `{{H986}}`), which are often presented as blessings from God or the result of trust in Him.
### Theological Significance
The concept of חֲרָדָה carries several profound theological implications:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** God is frequently depicted as the ultimate source of חֲרָדָה. He can instill panic in the hearts of His enemies ([[1 Samuel 14:15]]) or bring about trembling as a consequence of sin and rebellion. This demonstrates His absolute control over human emotions and circumstances, serving as a tool for divine justice and the execution of His will.
* **Human Vulnerability and Dependence:** The experience of חֲרָדָה underscores the inherent fragility and vulnerability of humanity. Whether facing an overwhelming enemy, a shocking revelation, or the consequences of one's actions, the trembling and fear reveal the limits of human strength and the profound need for divine intervention or solace.
* **The Awe of the Holy:** While חֲרָדָה can be a response to terror, it can also manifest as a reverent awe in the presence of the divine. Though not explicitly "fear of the Lord" in the sense of יִרְאָה (yirah), the physical trembling before God's power or holiness can be a component of true reverence, leading to humility and submission.
* **Emotional Realism in Scripture:** The Bible does not shy away from portraying the full spectrum of human emotions, including deep fear and anxiety. חֲרָדָה provides a raw, authentic depiction of intense emotional and physical distress, affirming the reality of human suffering and the biblical narrative's engagement with the lived experience.
### Summary
חֲרָדָה (chărâdâh, `{{H2731}}`) is a potent Hebrew noun signifying a state of intense fear, trembling, or anxiety. Derived from the verb "to tremble," it captures both the physical manifestation of shaking and the profound inner emotional distress. Its biblical occurrences illustrate its use in various contexts: as an idiom emphasizing extreme fear (e.g., Isaac's "exceedingly great trembling" in [[Genesis 27:33]]), as a divinely induced panic in adversaries ([[1 Samuel 14:15]]), and as a descriptor of overwhelming personal anguish ([[Psalm 55:5]]). Theologically, חֲרָדָה highlights God's sovereign power to instill fear, underscores human vulnerability, and contributes to the rich emotional landscape of the biblical narrative, reflecting deep responses to both judgment and the overwhelming presence of the divine.
TRV