### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פַּחְדָּה (pachdâh), Strong's number `{{H6345}}`, is a feminine noun derived from the root פַּחַד (pachad), `{{H6343}}`, which signifies "dread," "terror," or "fear." As the feminine form, פַּחְדָּה often denotes an abstract quality, a state of being, or an object that evokes fear. Its core meaning encompasses a profound sense of "alarm," "awe," or "dread," often with an emphasis on the unsettling or terrifying aspect of such an experience. Unlike a simple apprehension, פַּחְדָּה suggests a deeply disturbing or overwhelming fright, a sudden onset of terror, or even the very sound or presence that instills such a feeling. While "awe" can carry positive connotations of reverence, in the context of פַּחְדָּה, it typically leans towards a fearful, unsettling awe rather than a joyful, worshipful one.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term פַּחְדָּה (pachdâh) is rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only twice, both within the book of Job, which explores themes of suffering, divine justice, and human response to adversity.
1. **[[Job 15:21]]**: "A dreadful sound is in his ears; in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him." Here, פַּחְדָּה is translated as "dreadful sound" or "sound of terrors." Eliphaz the Temanite is describing the fate of the wicked. The "sound" (קוֹל, qôl) of פַּחְדָּה suggests an auditory experience that itself embodies or portends terror. It is not merely a sound *causing* fear, but a sound *of* fear, an internal or external manifestation of impending doom that assails the ears of the wicked even in their apparent prosperity. This context highlights the inescapable nature of dread for those who oppose God.
2. **[[Job 22:10]]**: "Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden terror troubleth thee." In this verse, Eliphaz is directly accusing Job, attributing his suffering to unrighteousness. פַּחְדָּה is rendered as "sudden terror" or "sudden fear." Here, it describes an internal state or an experience that "troubles" or "terrifies" (יְבַהֲלֶךָּ, yebahălekka, from בָּהַל, bâhal, `{{H926}}`, "to be in haste, to be alarmed, to dismay"). This usage emphasizes the overwhelming and disorienting effect of this terror, suggesting it is a consequence of divine judgment or a just retribution for sin.
In both instances, פַּחְדָּה is associated with the experience of the wicked or those perceived to be under divine displeasure, marking a state of profound unease, dread, or impending calamity. The contexts in Job underscore its role in describing the unsettling and fearful consequences of a life lived apart from righteousness.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is פַּחַד (pachad), `{{H6343}}`, the masculine noun from which פַּחְדָּה (pachdâh) is derived. Both share the core semantic field of "fear," "dread," and "terror." While פַּחַד can refer to the emotion itself, the object of fear, or the cause of fear, פַּחְדָּה, as a feminine form, often emphasizes the abstract quality, the state of alarm, or a specific instance of overwhelming dread.
Other Hebrew words conveying aspects of fear or awe include:
* יִרְאָה (yir'ah), `{{H3374}}`: This is a broader term for "fear," "awe," or "reverence," often used in the positive sense of "the fear of the Lord," which leads to wisdom and life (e.g., [[Proverbs 9:10]]).
* חֲרָדָה (charadah), `{{H2729}}`: Meaning "trembling," "fear," or "dread," often associated with physical manifestation of fear. It shares some semantic overlap with פַּחְדָּה in describing a state of apprehension.
* אֵימָה (eimah), `{{H367}}`: "Terror," "dread," or "fright," often used for a great, overwhelming fear, particularly that caused by divine power or a mighty display.
* בָּהַל (bahal), `{{H926}}`: A verb meaning "to be alarmed," "to be terrified," or "to dismay," which appears in [[Job 22:10]] as the verb associated with פַּחְדָּה.
While all these terms relate to fear, פַּחְדָּה specifically highlights a profound, often sudden, and unsettling dread, particularly as an experience associated with divine judgment or the consequences of unrighteousness, distinct from the reverential fear of God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פַּחְדָּה (pachdâh) is primarily shaped by its limited but poignant usage in the book of Job. It serves to articulate the internal and external manifestations of dread that are presented as the lot of the wicked or those under divine chastisement.
1. **Consequence of Unrighteousness**: In Job's discourse, פַּחְדָּה is portrayed as a natural outcome or a divinely ordained consequence for those who live in rebellion against God or who are perceived to be unrighteous. It underscores the biblical principle that actions have consequences, and a life lived without God's favor can be marked by an inescapable, unsettling dread.
2. **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**: The presence of פַּחְדָּה suggests a universe governed by a moral order where God's sovereignty extends to the emotional and psychological state of individuals. The "sound of terrors" or "sudden terror" is not random but seems to be part of the divine administration of justice, even if misunderstood by Job's friends.
3. **Contrast with the "Fear of the Lord"**: The unsettling nature of פַּחְדָּה stands in stark contrast to יִרְאָה (yir'ah), the "fear of the Lord." While the latter is a reverential awe that leads to wisdom, blessing, and life, פַּחְדָּה represents a negative, debilitating fear – the fear *of* judgment, the fear *of* calamity, or the fear *of* God's wrath, rather than a worshipful reverence for His holiness. It is the dread that accompanies a broken relationship with the divine, rather than the awe that deepens it.
### Summary
פַּחְדָּה (pachdâh), Strong's number `{{H6345}}`, is a rare but potent Hebrew term, the feminine form of פַּחַד (pachad), `{{H6343}}`. It signifies a profound, unsettling "alarm," "awe," or "dread." Its two occurrences in the book of Job illustrate its usage: in [[Job 15:21]], it describes a "dreadful sound" that assails the wicked, and in [[Job 22:10]], it denotes a "sudden terror" that troubles them. In both contexts, פַּחְדָּה is associated with the experience of impending calamity or divine judgment, highlighting the inescapable dread that can accompany a life perceived to be unrighteous. Theologically, it underscores the consequences of sin and the moral order of the universe, standing in stark contrast to the positive, reverential "fear of the Lord" (יִרְאָה, `{{H3374}}`), representing instead a negative, unsettling apprehension of divine displeasure or impending doom.
TRV