### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun mᵉgôwrah (`{{H4034}}`) is a feminine form derived from the masculine noun māgôr (`{{H4032}}`), both of which convey the meaning of "terror," "dread," or "fear." Specifically, mᵉgôwrah denotes "affright" or "fear," often implying a state of deep, overwhelming apprehension. It describes an intense internal emotional state, a profound dread or terror that can be sudden and startling, potentially leading to a sense of being overwhelmed or paralyzed by fear. The feminine ending may emphasize the *experience* or *condition* of being terrified, rather than the abstract concept of terror itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word mᵉgôwrah (`{{H4034}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both instances forming part of the evocative phrase "terror on every side" (māgôr missāvîv).
* **[[Jeremiah 20:10]]**: "For I hear the whispering of many: 'Terror on every side! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!' All my close friends are watching for my fall, saying, 'Perhaps he will be enticed; then we can overpower him and take our revenge on him.'"
In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah expresses his profound distress and vulnerability. The phrase māgôr missāvîv (mᵉgôwrah is the noun in question here, though often transliterated as magor in this specific phrase due to the close relationship with `{{H4032}}`) is a cry of anguish, reflecting the pervasive and inescapable threats he faces from all directions. It describes not just external danger, but the internal state of being utterly surrounded by fear and opposition, even from those he considered friends. This highlights the intense personal suffering endured by the prophet in fulfilling his divine commission.
* **[[Lamentations 2:22]]**: "You summoned as in a festival day my terrors from every side; So there was no one who escaped or survived on the day of the LORD's anger. Those whom I bore and raised, my enemy consumed."
Here, the personified city of Jerusalem (or the prophet speaking on her behalf) laments the catastrophic destruction brought upon her by divine judgment. The phrase "my terrors from every side" (māgôr missāvîv) is used to describe the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the calamity. Strikingly, the text attributes the summoning of these "terrors" directly to God, emphasizing that the overwhelming fear and destruction were not random events but a deliberate act of divine wrath, leaving no refuge or escape. The "terrors" are not merely the *result* of the siege but an active *component* of the judgment itself.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **māgôr (`{{H4032}}`)**: The masculine counterpart and root of mᵉgôwrah. It carries the same core meaning of "terror," "dread," or "fear." The two forms are often used interchangeably or in close proximity, suggesting a strong semantic overlap.
* **yir'ah (`{{H3374}}`)**: A much broader term for "fear" in Hebrew, encompassing both reverential awe (e.g., "fear of the Lord") and human dread. Unlike mᵉgôwrah, which is almost exclusively negative, yir'ah has a wider theological application.
* **paḥad (`{{H6343}}`)**: Another common word for "terror" or "dread," often implying sudden alarm or trembling.
* **bāhal (`{{H926}}`)**: A verb meaning "to be terrified," "dismayed," or "hastened by fear."
* The phrase "terror on every side" (māgôr missāvîv) became a significant and poignant motif, particularly within the book of Jeremiah, underscoring both the prophet's personal anguish and the national catastrophe.
### Theological Significance
The infrequent but powerful use of mᵉgôwrah (`{{H4034}}`) conveys a profound theological message about the nature of fear in the biblical narrative. In [[Jeremiah 20:10]], it underscores the intense personal suffering and isolation that can accompany prophetic ministry. Jeremiah's "terror on every side" is a vivid portrayal of the psychological and spiritual toll of faithfully delivering God's unpopular message in a hostile environment. It reveals the deep human vulnerability of even God's chosen messengers, reminding us that obedience can come at a great personal cost.
In [[Lamentations 2:22]], the word's theological impact is even more stark. By attributing the "terrors from every side" directly to God's summoning, the text emphasizes the sovereign and comprehensive nature of divine judgment. The fear is not merely a consequence of the siege but an intrinsic part of God's disciplinary action against a rebellious people. This portrayal highlights the inescapable and overwhelming nature of divine wrath when it is fully unleashed, leaving no avenue for escape or survival. mᵉgôwrah thus serves to illustrate the profound emotional and existential distress that can accompany divine judgment and the severe consequences of national apostasy.
### Summary
mᵉgôwrah (`{{H4034}}`) is a rare but potent Hebrew feminine noun signifying "affright" or "fear," deeply rooted in the concept of overwhelming terror. Derived from māgôr (`{{H4032}}`), it describes an intense, pervasive state of dread. Its two biblical occurrences, both in the phrase "terror on every side" (māgôr missāvîv), powerfully convey inescapable apprehension. In [[Jeremiah 20:10]], it articulates the prophet's profound personal anguish amidst widespread opposition. In [[Lamentations 2:22]], it underscores the comprehensive and inescapable nature of divine judgment, where God Himself orchestrates the overwhelming fear as part of His discipline. Theologically, mᵉgôwrah illuminates the severe psychological toll of prophetic obedience and the profound, all-encompassing nature of God's righteous judgment, emphasizing human vulnerability in the face of overwhelming adversity or divine wrath.
TRV