### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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.
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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]].
### Summary
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