### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **mâgôwr**, represented by `{{H4032}}`, is a term for **fear** or **terror**. It appears 8 times across 8 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from a root word implying fear, `{{H4032}}` describes a fright that can be either objective, like a tangible threat, or subjective, like a feeling of dread. It is most famously used in the phrase "terror on every side."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H4032}}` is frequently used by the prophet Jeremiah to describe an overwhelming sense of peril. This is often captured in the recurring phrase "fear on every side" ([[Jeremiah 6:25]], [[Jeremiah 20:10]]). This terror stems from various sources, including the "slander of many" who plot against the speaker [[Psalms 31:13]] and the imminent threat of the "sword of the enemy" [[Jeremiah 6:25]]. The term can also represent divine judgment, as when the LORD declares He will make a person a "terror" to himself and his friends as a consequence of their actions [[Jeremiah 20:4]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help define the context in which this terror arises:
* `{{H5439}}` **çâbîyb** (on every side): This adverb is almost always paired with `{{H4032}}` to create the phrase "fear on every side," emphasizing a feeling of being surrounded and trapped by danger [[Jeremiah 46:5]].
* `{{H1681}}` **dibbâh** (slander; defaming): This word often appears as the direct cause of the terror. The fear in [[Jeremiah 20:10]] and [[Psalms 31:13]] is a response to hearing the "defaming" or "slander" of many.
* `{{H341}}` **ʼôyêb** (enemy): This term identifies the source of the threat. The terror is a direct result of the presence and actions of an "enemy" ([[Jeremiah 6:25]], [[Lamentations 2:22]]).
* `{{H2719}}` **chereb** (sword): This word connects the abstract feeling of terror to a concrete, physical weapon, illustrating that the "fear on every side" is often a response to life-threatening violence [[Jeremiah 20:4]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4032}}` is significant, highlighting states of extreme distress and judgment.
* **A Consequence of Hostility:** The term often describes the result of social and personal attacks. It is not just an internal anxiety but a reaction to being surrounded by slander, plots, and betrayal from enemies and even former friends ([[Jeremiah 20:10]], [[Psalms 31:13]]).
* **An Instrument of Divine Judgment:** God Himself can call forth "terrors round about" as part of His judgment in the day of His anger [[Lamentations 2:22]]. This shows that overwhelming fear can be a direct expression of divine discipline or wrath.
* **The Feeling of Being Overwhelmed:** The consistent use of "on every side" illustrates a state of inescapable peril. Whether from armies, slanderers, or God's own judgment, `{{H4032}}` conveys a sense of being completely surrounded by threats with no obvious path to safety [[Jeremiah 49:29]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4032}}` is a potent word that signifies far more than simple fright. It conveys a profound and often all-encompassing terror that defines the atmosphere of a situation. Whether caused by the sword of an enemy, the whispers of slanderers, or the execution of divine judgment, **mâgôwr** paints a picture of inescapable dread and peril that is central to many prophetic and psalmic passages of scripture.
TRV