fear of the lord

[FallingLeaves]

there a bunch of statements in the bible about fear of the lord. For example the first one that came up in a search is:

Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I'm wondering if anyone knows the meaning of the word translated as 'fear'. Does it mean, literally, 'afraid'? Or maybe to hold in high regard? Or something else entirely?

And are there different words translated into the word 'fear'?

Thanks...

[inavalan]

You can find a commentary here:

https://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-7.htm

The original word, יִרְאַת (yir'ath) for "fear," is properly the infinitive of יָרֵא, (yare), "to fear or reverence," and as a substantive means "reverence or holy fear"

You can see the "interlinear" version here:

https://biblehub.com/interlinear/proverbs/1-7.htm

The fear
יִרְאַ֣ת (yir·’aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3374: Fear, reverence

of the LORD
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

Commentaries give a positive slant to that "fear", not servile, not abject, but filial, even lovingly.

[BigJohn]

Nice rendition inavalan.

I especially like the part where you mentioned Yahweh, which indicates this was a viewpoint of the Yahwists. I would say most on this Forum lean toward the Elohists' viewpoints.

[sky]

Originally Posted by FallingLeaves

there a bunch of statements in the bible about fear of the lord. For example the first one that came up in a search is:

Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The only thing I fear are my thoughts

[FallingLeaves]

Originally Posted by inavalan

Commentaries give a positive slant to that "fear", not servile, not abject, but filial, even lovingly.

so probably it means something more along the line of 'reverence' in that context.

Just out of curiousity, does the next passage use the same word for 'fear'?

Matthew 10:28 - And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

[inavalan]

Originally Posted by FallingLeaves

so probably it means something more along the line of 'reverence' in that context.

Just out of curiousity, does the next passage use the same word for 'fear'?

Matthew 10:28 - And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew was written in Greek, the other one in Hebrew.

https://biblehub.com/interlinear/matthew/10-28.htm

phobeisthe
φοβεῖσθε
you should be afraid
V-PMM-2P

phobeisthe: From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe, i.e. Revere.

Originally Posted by sky123

The only thing I fear are my thoughts

Not surprising, heathen.

Kidding.

How B U buddy?

I got half the vaccine.

Regards
DL

Originally Posted by inavalan

You can find a commentary here:

https://biblehub.com/proverbs/1-7.htm

The original word, יִרְאַת (yir'ath) for "fear," is properly the infinitive of יָרֵא, (yare), "to fear or reverence," and as a substantive means "reverence or holy fear"

You can see the "interlinear" version here:

https://biblehub.com/interlinear/proverbs/1-7.htm

The fear
יִרְאַ֣ת (yir·’aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3374: Fear, reverence

of the LORD
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

Commentaries give a positive slant to that "fear", not servile, not abject, but filial, even lovingly.

Very nice.

I begin to disagree with philosophy thinking that definitions should be at the back end of a discussion.

I have not change my mind in a long time. Nice.

I think that the context should be clear to any parent, when fear the Lord was used along with the term Lord.

Only till recently do we not have Lords to fear.

For most of our history, Lords killed without a thought.

They also warned against the Lord believers.

**Whenever a man believes that he has the exact truth from God, there is in that man no spirit of compromise. He has not the modesty born of the imperfections of human nature; he has the arrogance of theological certainty and the tyranny born of ignorant assurance. Believing himself to be the slave of God, he imitates his master, and of all tyrants the worst is a slave in power-Robert Green Ingersoll

As in the better political systems, the head should fear the body and not the reverse the way the fascist god religions want.

Regards
DL

[BigJohn]

'Fear of the Lord' is a Yahwist expression.
As I have said, it appears many have issues with Yahwist viewpoints. Nothing new.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Soul Seeker

Not surprising, heathen.

Kidding.

How B U buddy?

I got half the vaccine.

Regards
DL

I'm fine SS and hope your behaving yourself
Great you got your first Jab, hope you didn't get any side affects