ἔκφοβος

From the study of Hebrews 12:21

Range of meaning

Terrified, badly frightened. The prefix ek- makes the root 'fear' stronger: fear that carries a person 'out of' self-control.

Against the English

KJV has 'I exceedingly fear', which keeps the intensity. BSB has 'trembling with fear', which merges the two Greek adjectives into one phrase and loses the fact that there are two.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Deuteronomy 9:19: καὶ ἔκφοβός εἰμι διὰ τὴν ὀργὴν καὶ τὸν θυμόν ('I am terrified because of the anger and wrath', meaning the Lord's anger after the golden calf). 1 Maccabees 13:2: the people 'trembling and terrified' (ἔντρομος καὶ ἔκφοβος). Mark 9:6: at the Transfiguration the disciples 'were terrified'.

From the study of Mark 9:6

Range of meaning

Thoroughly frightened, terrified, gripped by dread. It is built from ek ('out of', used as an intensifier) and phobos ('fear'). Unlike the ordinary verb phobeomai, it always describes extreme fear. In the biblical setting fear (phobos) covers everything from alarm to dread to reverent awe. Ekphobos sits at the overwhelming end of that range.

Against the English

'Terrified' (ESV, NASB, BSB, NLT) captures the intensity. 'Very afraid' (WEB) and 'greatly afraid' (YLT) are weaker. KJV 'sore afraid' is accurate, but 'sore' is archaic for 'intensely'. No English word brings along the sacred dread that the setting gives it.

Used elsewhere in the period

The word is rare. In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) Moses says at Sinai, after the golden calf, "I am terrified (ekphobos) because of the anger and wrath" of the Lord (Deut 9:19). Hebrews 12:21 picks this up in its description of the Sinai theophany (a visible appearance of God): "I am terrified (ekphobos) and trembling." 1 Maccabees 13:2 uses it of a people 'trembling and terrified' before a military threat. Classical writers such as Plutarch also use it. In the NT it appears only here and in Heb 12:21.