### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) is an adjective or a participial form derived from the verbal root yâgôr (`{{H3015}}`), which means "to fear," "to dread," or "to be afraid." As yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`), it describes the state or condition of being "fearful," "afraid," or "dreaded." Its semantic range encompasses a deep-seated apprehension, a state of terror, or a sustained dread, often in anticipation of harm, danger, or judgment. Unlike a fleeting emotion, yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) suggests an enduring or overwhelming sense of fear that permeates one's being.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Though appearing sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) carries significant weight in its contexts:
* **[[Job 3:25]]**: "For the thing which I greatly feared ([[yâgôwr]]) is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me." Here, Job articulates a profound and long-standing apprehension that has now materialized in his suffering. The use of yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) highlights a pre-existing, almost prophetic, dread rather than a sudden fright. It underscores the depth of his despair, suggesting that his calamities were the very things he had always anticipated with terror.
* **[[Psalm 55:5]]**: "Fear and trembling come upon me; horror has overwhelmed me." In this lament of David, yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) is paired with "trembling" (`{{H2731}}`, *chârâdâh*) and "horror" (`{{H3674}}`, *ballâhâh*), painting a vivid picture of extreme distress. The context is betrayal and persecution, where the psalmist is utterly consumed by fear, unable to escape the overwhelming sense of dread. It describes a state of being utterly overcome by terror.
* **[[Isaiah 19:16]]**: "In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid ([[yâgôwr]]) and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it." Here, yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) describes the terror that will grip Egypt in the face of divine judgment. The nation will be rendered powerless and fearful, likening their state to that of women, signifying utter helplessness and vulnerability before the might of Yahweh. This usage emphasizes a fear that paralyzes and subdues.
Across these occurrences, yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) consistently denotes a deep, pervasive, and often debilitating fear, whether personal or national, frequently linked to the experience of suffering, betrayal, or divine intervention.
### Related Words & Concepts
yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) is directly linked to its root verb yâgôr (`{{H3015}}`), "to fear, dread." Other Hebrew terms for fear include:
* yir'ah (`{{H3374}}`): Often translated as "fear," but frequently refers to the reverential "fear of the Lord," which is a positive, awe-filled respect.
* pachad (`{{H6343}}`): Signifies "terror" or "dread," often sudden and overwhelming.
* chârad (`{{H2729}}`): "To tremble," "to be afraid," often indicating physical manifestation of fear.
* yare' (`{{H3372}}`): A very common verb for "to fear," encompassing both dread and reverence.
While sharing the semantic domain of fear, yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) specifically highlights the *state* of being fearful, often with an element of anticipation or sustained apprehension, distinguishing it from a momentary fright or the more positive "fear of the Lord." It emphasizes the subjective experience of dread that can consume an individual or a nation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) lies in its portrayal of human vulnerability and the consequences of a fallen world. In [[Job 3:25]], it underscores the profound sense of premonition and the bitter realization of one's deepest fears, speaking to the human condition of anticipating calamity. This is not a fear that leads to wisdom or righteousness, but one that accompanies suffering and despair. In [[Psalm 55:5]], it illustrates the overwhelming nature of distress and betrayal, where fear becomes an oppressive, consuming force, highlighting the psalmist's profound need for divine deliverance. In [[Isaiah 19:16]], yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) serves as a descriptor of the terror that falls upon nations when confronted with God's sovereign power and judgment, emphasizing the helplessness of humanity before divine might. Theologically, yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) points to the reality of debilitating dread in a broken world, the consequence of sin, and the awe-inspiring, sometimes terrifying, nature of God's justice. It stands in stark contrast to the "fear of the Lord" (`{{H3374}}`) which is the beginning of wisdom, as yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) typically describes a debilitating, rather than reverential, fear.
### Summary
yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) is a Hebrew adjective/participle derived from yâgôr (`{{H3015}}`), signifying a state of being "fearful," "afraid," or "dreaded." Its usage in Scripture, particularly in [[Job 3:25]], [[Psalm 55:5]], and [[Isaiah 19:16]], consistently depicts an overwhelming, sustained apprehension or terror, often in response to impending or realized calamity, betrayal, or divine judgment. Unlike the reverential "fear of the Lord," yâgôwr (`{{H3016}}`) highlights a debilitating human experience of dread, emphasizing vulnerability and the profound impact of adverse circumstances or God's powerful hand. It serves as a poignant descriptor of the human condition in the face of overwhelming and often anticipated adversity.
TRV