Lexical Summary phobeó: To fear, be afraid, reverence Original Word: φοβέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to fearFrom phobos; to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere -- be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence. see GREEK phobos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5399 phobéō – to fear, withdraw (flee) from, avoid. See 5401 (phobos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom phobos Definition to put to flight, to terrify, frighten NASB Translation afraid (39), am afraid (2), awestruck (1), fear (27), feared (5), fearful (2), fearing (6), fears (2), frightened (7), have...fear (1), respects (1), terrified (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5399: φοβέωφοβέω, φόβῳ: passive, present φοβοῦμαι; imperfect ἐφοβούμην; 1 aorist ἐφοβήθην; future φοβηθήσομαι; (φόβος); from Homer down; to terrify, frighten, Wis. 17:9; to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away). Passive: 1. to be put to flight, to flee (Homer). 2. to fear, be afraid; the Sept. very often for יָרֵא; absolutely to be struck with fear, to be seized with alarm: of those who fear harm or injury, Matthew 10:31; Matthew 14:30; Matthew 25:25; Mark 5:33, 36; Mark 10:32; Mark 16:8; Luke 8:50; Luke 12:7, 32; John 12:15; John 19:8; Acts 16:38; Acts 22:29; (Romans 13:4); Hebrews 13:6; 1 John 4:18; opposed to ὑψηλοφρονεῖν, Romans 11:20; of those startled by strange sights or occurrences, Matthew 14:27; Matthew 17:7; Matthew 28:5, 10; Mark 6:50; Luke 1:13, 30; Luke 2:10; Luke 9:34; ( 3. to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience: τινα, Mark 6:20; Ephesians 5:33; τόν Θεόν, used of his devout worshippers, Luke 1:50; Luke 18:2, 4; Acts 10:2, 22, 35; (Colossians 3:22 Rec.); 1 Peter 2:17; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 19:5; also τόν κύριον, Colossians 3:22 (G L T Tr WH); Revelation 15:4; τό ὄνομα τοῦ Θεοῦ, Revelation 11:18 (Deuteronomy 4:10; Deuteronomy 5:29; Deuteronomy 6:2, 13, 14; Deuteronomy 13:4; Deuteronomy 14:22(23); Proverbs 3:7; Psalm 33:10 Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Nuances Strong’s Greek 5399 (phobeō) moves along a spectrum from healthy reverence to crippling terror. Context determines whether the term conveys (1) worshipful awe toward God, (2) prudent caution, or (3) faith-less dread. The same root can therefore describe the holy fear that produces obedience (Philippians 2:12) and the servile fear that paralyses (Matthew 25:25). Old Testament and Second Temple Background In the Septuagint phobeō commonly translates יָרֵא (yārē’), the foundational “fear of the LORD.” This covenant motif joins love and obedience (Deuteronomy 10:12), shaping Israel’s worship. By the first century “God-fearing” (Acts 10:2; 13:16) had become a technical description of Gentiles attracted to Israel’s monotheism and ethics without full proselytism, preparing the soil for gospel proclamation. Fear as Reverence Toward God Jesus restores true fear by directing attention to God alone: “But I will show you whom you should fear: fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell” (Luke 12:5). Revelation echoes the call to every nation: “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come” (Revelation 14:7). Such fear is never irrational; it is the sober recognition of divine holiness and sovereignty that nurtures worship (Revelation 15:4) and righteous living (Colossians 3:22). Fear in Relation to Christ the Messiah The disciples’ journey exposes misplaced fear and invites faith. When the storm is stilled “they were terrified and asked one another, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!’” (Mark 4:41). Yet moments of dread are answered with messianic assurance: “Do not be afraid; only believe” (Mark 5:36). Post-resurrection appearances carry the same refrain (Matthew 28:5,10), proving that the risen Lord, not hostile powers, commands the believer’s destiny. Fear as Dread or Cowardice to be Overcome Herod feared public opinion (Matthew 14:5); Pilate feared Caesar (John 19:8); the council feared the crowds (Acts 5:26). Such fear enslaves, distorts judgment, and opposes the purposes of God. The parable of the talents unmasks this bondage: “So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground” (Matthew 25:25). Scripture consistently contrasts this fruitless fear with courageous obedience born of faith (Hebrews 11:23,27). Pastoral and Discipleship Implications Commands in the imperative present—“Stop being afraid” (Matthew 10:28,31; Luke 12:32)—present fearlessness as an ongoing discipline. The pastor equips believers to replace anxiety with reverent confidence through: Evangelistic and Missional Contexts Luke highlights “God-fearing” Gentiles (Acts 10:2; 13:26) whose awakened conscience responds readily to the gospel. Today the term guides mission strategy toward seekers already sensitised to transcendence. Conversely, Galatians 2:12 warns against compromising truth out of fear of human opinion—an ever-present temptation in cross-cultural ministry. Eschatological and Worship Dimensions Reverent fear undergirds apocalyptic vision. Nations that refuse to fear God incur wrath (Revelation 11:18), whereas the heavenly multitude exults: “Praise our God, all you His servants … you who fear Him” (Revelation 19:5). Thus fear becomes eschatological alignment—either joyful submission or rebellious horror. Illustrative Passages Luke 12:5 – holy fear directed to God alone. Acts 10:2 – “God-fearing” Cornelius prepared for salvation. Mark 5:36 – fear displaced by faith in Christ. Hebrews 4:1 – a cautionary fear lest any “seem to have fallen short.” Revelation 14:7 – universal summons to fear God in light of final judgment. Summary and Theological Reflection Phobeō uncovers the heart’s object of ultimate concern. Scripture never denies the emotion of fear; it redirects it. Rightly ordered, fear honors God, produces wisdom, and energizes mission. Disordered, it muzzles testimony and spurns grace. The gospel therefore both instills and expels fear: instills awe before the Holy One, expels dread through the perfect love revealed at the cross and guaranteed by the resurrection. Forms and Transliterations εφοβείσθε εφοβειτο εφοβείτο ἐφοβεῖτο εφοβηθη εφοβηθή εφοβήθη ἐφοβήθη εφοβήθημεν εφοβήθην εφοβήθης εφοβηθησαν εφοβηθήσαν εφοβήθησαν ἐφοβήθησαν εφοβήθητε εφοβουμην εφοβούμην ἐφοβούμην εφοβουντο εφοβούντο ἐφοβοῦντο πεφόβησθε φοβεισθαι φοβείσθαι φοβείσθαί φοβεῖσθαι φοβείσθε φοβείσθέ φοβεῖσθε φοβείσθω φοβείται φοβη φοβή φοβῇ φοβηθεις φοβηθείς φοβηθεὶς φοβηθεισα φοβηθείσα φοβηθεῖσα φοβηθεντες φοβηθέντες φοβηθη φοβηθή φοβηθῇ φοβηθήναι φοβηθήναί φοβηθης φοβηθής φοβηθῇς φοβηθήσεσθε φοβηθήσεται φοβηθήση φοβήθηση φοβηθησομαι φοβηθήσομαι φοβηθησόμεθα φοβηθήσονται φοβηθήσονταί φοβηθητε φοβηθήτε φοβηθῆτε φοβήθητε φοβηθήτω φοβηθήτωσαν φοβηθώ φοβηθωμεν φοβηθώμεν φοβηθῶμεν φοβηθώσι φοβηθώσιν φοβήσαι φοβήσθε φοβηται φοβήται φοβῆται φοβου φοβού φοβοῦ φόβου φοβουμαι φοβούμαι φοβοῦμαι φοβουμεθα φοβούμεθα φοβουμεναι φοβούμεναι φοβουμενοι φοβούμενοι φοβούμενοί φοβουμενοις φοβουμένοις φοβουμενος φοβούμενος φοβουμένους φοβουμένων φοβούνται φοβώνται φοβώνταί ephobeito ephobeîto ephobethe ephobēthē ephobḗthe ephobḗthē ephobethesan ephobēthēsan ephobḗthesan ephobḗthēsan ephoboumen ephoboumēn ephoboúmen ephoboúmēn ephobounto ephoboûnto phobe phobē phobêi phobē̂i phobeisthai phobeîsthai phobeisthe phobeîsthe phobetai phobêtai phobētai phobē̂tai phobethe phobēthē phobethêi phobēthē̂i phobetheis phobetheìs phobethêis phobētheis phobētheìs phobēthē̂is phobetheisa phobetheîsa phobētheisa phobētheîsa phobethentes phobethéntes phobēthentes phobēthéntes phobethes phobēthēs phobethesomai phobethḗsomai phobēthēsomai phobēthḗsomai phobethete phobethête phobēthēte phobēthē̂te phobḗthete phobḗthēte phobethomen phobethômen phobēthōmen phobēthō̂men phobou phoboû phoboumai phoboûmai phoboumenai phoboúmenai phoboumenoi phoboúmenoi phoboúmenoí phoboumenois phobouménois phoboumenos phoboúmenos phoboumetha phoboúmethaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 1:20 V-ASP-2SGRK: Δαυίδ μὴ φοβηθῇς παραλαβεῖν Μαρίαν NAS: of David, do not be afraid to take KJV: thou son of David, fear not to take INT: of David not fear to take to [you] Mary Matthew 2:22 V-AIP-3S Matthew 9:8 V-AIP-3P Matthew 10:26 V-AMP-2P Matthew 10:28 V-ASP-2P Matthew 10:28 V-PMM/P-2P Matthew 10:31 V-PMM/P-2P Matthew 14:5 V-AIP-3S Matthew 14:27 V-PMM/P-2P Matthew 14:30 V-AIP-3S Matthew 17:6 V-AIP-3P Matthew 17:7 V-PMM/P-2P Matthew 21:26 V-PIM/P-1P Matthew 21:46 V-AIP-3P Matthew 25:25 V-APP-NMS Matthew 27:54 V-AIP-3P Matthew 28:5 V-PMM/P-2P Matthew 28:10 V-PMM/P-2P Mark 4:41 V-AIP-3P Mark 5:15 V-AIP-3P Mark 5:33 V-APP-NFS Mark 5:36 V-PMM/P-2S Mark 6:20 V-IIM/P-3S Mark 6:50 V-PMM/P-2P Mark 9:32 V-IIM/P-3P Strong's Greek 5399 |