from פָּלַץ; affright; fearfulness, horror, trembling.
Transliteration:pallâtsûwth
Pronunciation:pal-law-tsooth'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun פַּלָּצוּת (pallâtsûwth), Strong's number `{{H6427}}`, is derived from the verbal root פָּלַץ (palats), `{{H6426}}`, which means "to tremble," "to quake," or "to shudder." As a noun, פַּלָּצוּת signifies the state or experience of such intense trembling. Its semantic range encompasses "fearfulness," "horror," "dread," and "trembling." It describes an overwhelming and profound sense of terror, often accompanied by physical manifestations like shaking or shuddering, indicating a deep internal disturbance rather than mere apprehension. This word conveys a visceral, disturbing fear that grips an individual or a group.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term פַּלָּצוּת (pallâtsûwth) appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, found in only three passages, each illuminating a distinct facet of its intense meaning:
* **[[Job 21:6]]**: "When I remember, I am terrified; trembling (פַּלָּצוּת) seizes my flesh." Here, Job expresses his profound personal dread and physical reaction to the perplexing prosperity of the wicked, which stands in stark contrast to his own suffering. The word emphasizes a deep, internal horror that affects his very physical being, indicating an overwhelming and unsettling experience.
* **[[Psalm 55:5]]**: "Fear and trembling (פַּלָּצוּת) come upon me; horror has overwhelmed me." In this lament, the psalmist (traditionally David) articulates an extreme state of distress and terror, likely in the face of betrayal or malevolent adversaries. The parallelism with "fear" (פַּחַד - pachad, `{{H6343}}`) and "horror" (אֵימָה - eimah, `{{H367}}`) amplifies the sense of being utterly consumed by dread, suggesting a state of being utterly undone by circumstances.
* **[[Ezekiel 7:18]]**: "They will put on sackcloth, and horror (פַּלָּצוּת) will cover them. Shame will be on all faces, and baldness on all their heads." This passage is part of a prophetic oracle concerning God's judgment upon Israel. Here, פַּלָּצוּת describes the collective and visible manifestation of terror and despair among the people as they face divine wrath and impending invasion. It signifies a public, undeniable horror that grips an entire populace, leading to outward signs of mourning and humiliation.
Across these contexts, פַּלָּצוּת consistently denotes an extreme, debilitating form of fear that is deeply unsettling and often physically expressed.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding פַּלָּצוּת (pallâtsûwth) is enhanced by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms expressing fear and related concepts:
* **Root Verb:** פָּלַץ (palats, `{{H6426}}`): The direct verbal root from which פַּלָּצוּת is derived, meaning "to tremble," "to shudder," or "to shiver." This foundational verb highlights the physical, involuntary response inherent in the noun's meaning.
* **Synonyms for Fear/Dread:**
* פַּחַד (pachad, `{{H6343}}`): General term for fear, dread, or terror, often used in parallel with פַּלָּצוּת, as seen in [[Psalm 55:5]].
* אֵימָה (eimah, `{{H367}}`): Terror, dread, or horror, also paralleled with פַּלָּצוּת in [[Psalm 55:5]], emphasizing an overwhelming sense of awe or dread.
* חֲרָדָה (charadah, `{{H2731}}`): Trembling, fear, or anxiety, derived from חָרַד (charad, `{{H2729}}`), "to tremble." This term also points to a physical manifestation of fear.
* יִרְאָה (yirah, `{{H3374}}`): Fear, awe, or reverence. While it can denote terror, יִרְאָה often carries the specific connotation of reverential fear or awe toward God, which is distinct from the disruptive, overwhelming dread conveyed by פַּלָּצוּת. The latter is typically a negative, unsettling experience.
* **Related Concepts:** Divine judgment, human vulnerability, profound emotional distress, the physical manifestations of extreme fear, and the consequences of sin or overwhelming adversity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פַּלָּצוּת (pallâtsûwth) lies in its portrayal of human response to overwhelming and often terrifying circumstances, which can implicitly or explicitly relate to divine action:
* **Human Vulnerability and Despair:** In Job and Psalms, פַּלָּצוּת vividly portrays the depth of human suffering, distress, and despair. It underscores the fragility of the human condition when faced with inexplicable pain, betrayal, or overwhelming adversity. It is a raw expression of humanity's limited capacity to endure certain forms of distress without profound emotional and physical impact.
* **Response to Divine Judgment:** In Ezekiel, פַּלָּצוּת serves as a powerful descriptor of the collective terror and humiliation that accompanies divine judgment against sin. It highlights the severity and inescapability of God's righteous wrath, demonstrating that the consequences of disobedience can evoke a profound and public horror. While not "fear of the Lord" in a reverential sense, it is a fear *from* the Lord's judgment.
* **The Reality of Terror in a Fallen World:** The word acknowledges the legitimate, often debilitating, experience of terror and horror as a part of life in a fallen world. Whether from human wickedness (as in the psalmist's enemies) or divine chastisement, פַּלָּצוּת points to the disruptive and unsettling nature of extreme fear, contrasting with the peace and security offered by God.
* **Implicit Contrast with God's Nature:** The experience of פַּלָּצוּת for humans implicitly highlights the steadfastness and sovereignty of God. While humans are subject to such overwhelming fear, God Himself is never depicted as experiencing this kind of debilitating terror, underscoring His unshakeable power and control.
### Summary
פַּלָּצוּת (pallâtsûwth, `{{H6427}}`) is a potent Hebrew noun denoting an intense, overwhelming state of fear, dread, or horror, invariably accompanied by physical trembling or shuddering. Derived from the verb פָּלַץ (palats, `{{H6426}}`), meaning "to tremble," its rare occurrences in [[Job 21:6]], [[Psalm 55:5]], and [[Ezekiel 7:18]] consistently depict a profound, unsettling terror. Contexts include personal anguish, distress in the face of enemies, and collective despair due to divine judgment. Theologically, פַּלָּצוּת underscores human vulnerability and the devastating impact of extreme fear, often as a consequence of sin or overwhelming circumstances. It vividly portrays the severity of human suffering and the terrifying consequences of divine wrath, providing a stark contrast to the divine peace and security found in God.
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