יָרֵא

From the study of Isaiah 41:10

Range of meaning

Ranges from terror at danger to respectful awe and reverence ("the fear of the LORD"). Context decides which. Here it is fear of danger: hostile peoples (vv. 11–12) and a world shaken by war (v. 5, "the coastlands saw and were afraid; the ends of the earth trembled").

Against the English

"Fear" is accurate here. The usual mistake runs the other way: carrying this verse's "do not fear" over to texts about fearing God, where yirʾah means reverence.

Used elsewhere in the period

"Do not fear" (ʾal-tîrāʾ) is a set formula of divine reassurance: to Abraham (Gen 15:1), Isaac (Gen 26:24, "do not fear, for I am with you", almost identical to this verse), Joshua (Josh 1:9), and repeatedly in Isaiah 40–55 (41:13–14; 43:1, 5; 44:2). Outside Israel, Neo-Assyrian prophetic oracles to King Esarhaddon (7th c. BC) open the same way: "Esarhaddon, do not fear! I am Ishtar of Arbela…" (State Archives of Assyria vol. 9).

From the study of Isaiah 43:1

Range of meaning

Yārēʾ covers everything from terror at danger to reverent awe of God. With the urgent negative ʾal it is an emergency word: 'Don't be afraid!', said to someone facing real threat.

Against the English

'Fear not' / 'Do not fear' is accurate. What modern readers may miss is that this is a fixed formula with a recognisable job: it opens a divine promise of rescue, often in war. It is not a general instruction to manage one's emotions.

Used elsewhere in the period

Spoken by God to Abraham (Gen 15:1), to Joshua before battle (Josh 8:1), and repeatedly in Isaiah 40–55 (41:10, 13, 14; 43:5; 44:2; 54:4). Close parallels outside Israel: Neo-Assyrian prophecies to King Esarhaddon (7th century BC) begin 'Do not fear, Esarhaddon! I am Ishtar of Arbela', followed by reasons and promises, the same pattern as here.

From the study of Habakkuk 3:2

Range of meaning

To fear: from terror and dread, through reverent awe, to the loyal respect of a worshipper. In a meeting with God's power the bodily, frightened end of the range is often to the fore.

Against the English

KJV has 'was afraid' and NASB 'I fear'. BSB, NIV and WEB have 'I stand in awe', which today suggests wonder and admiration ('awesome') without dread.

How it drifted

Modern English 'awe' has softened into amazement. Translations choose it to avoid suggesting that the faithful are simply scared of God, but here the fear is real.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exod 14:31 (after the Red Sea 'the people feared the LORD'); Ps 119:120 ('my flesh trembles for fear of you'). Hab 3:16 describes the same reaction in detail: 'my belly trembled, my lips quivered, rottenness entered my bones.' The Septuagint has ephobēthēn, 'I was afraid.'