1. Introduction
The “fear of the Lord” has been misunderstood in recent times. This section will look at how the translators of the LXX and the authors of the NT understood the OT’s use of “fear of the Lord,” particularly as is relevant to Jonah.
2. Lexical and Linguistic Background
The Hb term for fear in Jonah 1:16 is “yare’.” Strongs defines this term as afraid, dread, or fear. This term is used 329 times throughout the WLC Hebrew OT. The Gr term for fear in Jonah 1:16 is “fobeo.” Strongs defines Gr “fobeo” as “to frighten,” or “to be in awe.” This is a careful nuance, as to be in fear is different than to be in awe. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon aptly describes Gr “fobeo” as “to be seized with alarm,” which properly captures both fear and awe. Gr “fobeo” appears 341 times in the LXX Greek OT and 93 times in the TR Greek NT.
3. Fear in the Bible
The Hb “yare’” first appears in Genesis 3:10, “…I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Here, Adam hides himself from fear of God. This term also appears three times through Hb Jonah: Jonah 1:5, in the storm, “Then the mariners were afraid…” Jonah 1:10, when Jonah tells the men he fled from the Lord, “Then the men were exceedingly afraid…” Jonah 1:16, when the storm ceased at the throwing of Jonah into the sea, “Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly…” The Hb “yare’” is used in a derivative form in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear [Hb “yir’ah”] of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…”
The Gr “fobeo” is used to translate many instances of Hb “yare’.” Gr “fobeo” is used in every instance of Hb “yare’” in Jonah, indicating possibly a conscious shift to a word that is known to also mean “awe,” rather than fear alone. Gr “fobeo” is also used in Genesis 3:10 to translate Hb “yare’.” Likewise, Gr “fobos,” the noun form of the verb Gr “fobeo” is used to translate Hb “yir’ah” in Proverbs 1:7.
The Gr “fobeo” is used throughout the NT. One notable instance is John 6:20, where Jesus appears in the storm, “But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid [Gr “fobeo”].” Further, Paul uses a derivative of Gr “fobeo” in 2 Corinthians 7:1, “perfecting holiness in the fear [Gr “foboi”] of God.” Likewise, a derivative is used in Philippians 2:12, “work out your own salvation with fear [Gr “fobou”] and trembling.”
4. Synthesis And Conclusion
While modern dictionaries may not reflect exact continuity between Hb “yare’” and Gr “fobeo,” this biblical survey demonstrates the two terms refer both to fear in a negative sense as well as awe of God in a positive sense. In other words, these two words both can reflect healthy and unhealthy fear. The “fear of the Lord” uses language consistent with both healthy and unhealthy fear, as demonstrated through this survey.
