### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼêymâh**, represented by `{{H367}}`, signifies fright, dread, or terror. It appears **17 times** across **17 unique verses** in the Bible. Based on its root, it conveys a profound sense of fright, and can be used concretely to describe an idol, or more abstractly to denote horror, terror, and dread.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H367}}` is often used to describe the terror preceding a divine act of judgment or salvation. God sends His **fear** before the Israelites to **destroy** their enemies [[Exodus 23:27]]. This effect is confirmed by Rahab, who tells the Israelite spies that their **terror** has fallen upon the inhabitants of the land, causing them to **faint** [[Joshua 2:9]]. The word also captures profound personal experiences of dread, such as the "horror of great darkness" that fell upon Abram [[Genesis 15:12]] and the "terrors of death" that overwhelm the psalmist [[Psalms 55:4]]. In a unique context, it is used to denote idols, upon which the people of Babylon are said to be "mad" [[Jeremiah 50:38]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the nature and effects of this terror:
* `{{H6343}}` **pachad** (dread): This word is often used in parallel with `{{H367}}` to intensify the sense of overwhelming fear. In the Song of Moses, both **fear** and **dread** are said to fall upon Israel's enemies [[Exodus 15:16]].
* `{{H1204}}` **bâʻath** (to fear, terrify, trouble): This verb describes the action that results from `{{H367}}`. Job pleads for God's rod to be taken away so that His **fear** will not **terrify** him [[Job 9:34]].
* `{{H2825}}` **chăshêkâh** (darkness): This word is linked to the atmosphere of dread created by `{{H367}}`. In a pivotal moment of covenant, a **horror** of great **darkness** falls upon Abram [[Genesis 15:12]], connecting deep fear with a tangible, oppressive darkness.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H367}}` is significant, highlighting God's power and the human response to it.
* **A Divine Weapon:** God wields **terror** as an instrument of His will, discomfiting His enemies and preparing the way for His people's victory, as promised in the conquest of Canaan [[Exodus 23:27]]. The fear itself becomes a precursor to judgment and deliverance.
* **The Overwhelming Presence of God:** `{{H367}}` captures the awe and dread experienced in a direct encounter with divine power. This can be a fearful experience, as when Job feels that God's **dread** might **make me afraid** [[Job 13:21]], or a foundational one, as in the covenant with Abram [[Genesis 15:12]].
* **Misdirected Fear and Idolatry:** The word's application to **idols** in [[Jeremiah 50:38]] serves as a powerful critique of false worship. It suggests that the dread and reverence due to God alone have been foolishly directed toward inanimate objects.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H367}}` is more than just a word for fear. It describes a profound and often supernaturally induced terror. It functions as a tool of divine judgment, a descriptor for the overwhelming experience of God's presence, and a label for the idols that illicit a misplaced sense of dread. From the battlefield to the soul, **ʼêymâh** illustrates the powerful biblical theme of holy terror and its implications for both the righteous and the wicked.
TRV