The Hebrew word çâmar, represented by H5568, is a primitive root meaning to be erect, i.e. bristle as hair; stand up, tremble. Though it appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, it conveys a powerful and specific physical reaction to a divine or supernatural presence. The term describes an involuntary, visceral response of awe and terror that manifests in the body.
The two uses of H5568 in scripture vividly illustrate its meaning. In Psalms, the writer describes a profound physical reaction to the majesty of God's law, stating, "My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments" Psalms 119:120. Here, the word signifies a body shaking with awe. In the book of Job, the term is used more literally when a spirit passes by, causing "the hair of my flesh stood up" Job 4:15. In both cases, H5568 captures a tangible, bodily manifestation of an encounter with something beyond the natural world.
Several related words help clarify the context in which H5568 is used:
- H1320 bâsâr (flesh): This is the physical medium that experiences the reaction of H5568. In both occurrences, it is the "flesh" that either trembles or whose hair stands on end (Psalms 119:120, Job 4:15).
- H8185 saʻărâh (hair): This word provides the literal imagery for the action in Job, where the "hair" of the flesh is what stands erect, giving a clear picture of the physical response Job 4:15.
- H3372 yârêʼ (to fear): This term defines the emotional cause for the physical reaction in Psalms. The trembling of the flesh is a direct result of being "afraid" of God's judgments Psalms 119:120.
- H7307 rûwach (spirit): In Job, the passing of a "spirit" is the direct catalyst for the physical reaction described by H5568, linking the term to a supernatural encounter Job 4:15.
The theological weight of H5568 lies in its depiction of the human response to the divine.
- Visceral Response to God: The word emphasizes that a true encounter with the divine or its power is not just an intellectual or emotional event, but one that can have a profound physical effect, causing the body itself to react (Psalms 119:120, Job 4:15).
- Physical Manifestation of Awe: H5568 shows that biblical fear and awe are not abstract feelings. They are powerful enough to cause the flesh to tremble and the hair to stand on end, illustrating a tangible reaction to God's judgments or the presence of a spirit.
- The Overwhelming Nature of the Supernatural: The use of this word in Job, where a spirit passes by, highlights the unsettling and overwhelming nature of the supernatural realm when it intersects with the human experience Job 4:15.
In summary, H5568 is a specific and potent term that, while rare, provides a key insight into the biblical understanding of awe and fear. It describes the body's involuntary reaction—trembling or bristling—when confronted with the power of God's judgments or a supernatural entity. The word çâmar bridges the gap between a spiritual reality and a physical response, demonstrating that an encounter with the divine can be an all-encompassing experience that registers in the very flesh and hair of a person.
TRV