Original Word: חָרַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: charad
Pronunciation: khaw-RAHD
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-rad')
KJV: be (make) afraid, be careful, discomfit, fray (away), quake, tremble
NASB: tremble, trembled, frighten, make them afraid, came trembling, come trembling, disturb
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to shudder with terror
2. (hence) to fear
3. also to hasten (with anxiety)

be make afraid, be careful, discomfit, fray away, quake, tremble

A primitive root; to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety) -- be (make) afraid, be careful, discomfit, fray (away), quake, tremble.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to tremble, be terrified
NASB Translation
been careful (1), came trembling (2), come trembling (2), disturb (2), frighten (3), frighten them away (1), make him afraid (1), make them afraid (3), quaked (1), routed (1), startled (1), terrified (2), terrify (2), tremble (10), trembled (4), trembles (1), trembling (2).

חָרַד verb tremble, be terrified (Assyrian —arâdu, id., according to Dl^{HA 20, Pr 46}; Arabic be bashful, shamefaced; Late Hebrew חֲרָדָה a trembling) —

Qal Perfect וְחָרַד consecutive Isaiah 19:16, חָֽרְדָה Isaiah 10:29, חָרַדְתְּ 2 Kings 4:13, חָרְדוּ 1 Samuel 13:7; 1 Samuel 14:15, וְחָֽרְדוּ consecutive Ezekiel 26:16; Ezekiel 32:10; Imperfect יֶחֱרַד Job 37:1, וַיֶּחֱרַד Genesis 27:33 5t.; יֶחְרְדוּ Hosea 11:10; Ezekiel 26:18, יֶ˜חֶרְדוּ Hosea 11:11, יֶחֱרָ֑דוּ Amos 3:6; Isaiah 41:6, וַיֶּ˜חֶרְדוּ Genesis 42:28 2t.; Imperative חִרְדוּ Isaiah 32:11; —

1 tremble, quake, of a mountain Exodus 19:18 — so HCT, but read חָעָם, ᵐ5 see Di (E); of isles Ezekiel 26:18 (metaphor, in fear); so Isaiah 41:5 (קְצוֺת הארץ, "" אִיִּים יראו).

2 tremble, of persons under supernatural influence 1 Samuel 14:15 ("" חֲרָדֶה, וַתִּרְגַּז הָאָרָץ); start, start up (out of sleep) Ruth 3:8; in mental disturbance Genesis 27:33 (J; with accusative of congnate meaning with verb) tremble, in terror Exodus 19:16 (E), Isaiah 32:11 ("" רגז), be startled (at sound of trumpet) Amos 3:6 compare 1 Kings 1:49 (+ קום, הלך, ירא); tremble Ezekiel 26:16; Ezekiel 32:10 followed by לְ = at, Job 37:1 (לִבִּי), be terrified, of Egypt (personified) Isaiah 19:16 ("" מָּחַד), Ramah Isaiah 10:29, of Saul 1 Samuel 28:5 subject לִבּוֺ, "" ירא).

3 be anxiously careful חָרַדְתְּ אֵלֵנוּ אתכֿל הַחֲרָדָה הַזּאֹת 2 Kings 4:13.

4 with prepositions pregnantly = go or come trembling 1 Samuel 13:7 (followed by מֵאחריו ᵐ5^L We Dr) Genesis 42:28 (E; followed by אֶלֿ) 1 Samuel 16:4 (followed by לִקְרָאתוֺ) so 1 Samuel 21:2, Hosea 11:10 (מִיָּם) Hosea 11:11 (מִמִּצְרַיִם).

Hiph`il Perfect הֶחֱרִיד Judges 8:12, וְּהַחֲרַדְתִּ֫י 2 Samuel 17:2; Participle מַחֲרִיד Leviticus 6:26 11t.; Infinitive construct הַחֲרִיד Ezekiel 30:9; Zechariah 2:4; — drive in terror, rout an army, followed by accusative Judges 8:12; Ezekiel 30:9; Zechariah 2:4 compare 2 Samuel 17:2; (We proposes החרידו Hosea 5:8 'setzt Benjamin in Schrecken,' for ᵑ0 אַחֲרֶיךָ); in Participle absolute, only in ׳וְאֵין מ; and none shall terrify, i.e. disturb the peace of those reposing — שׁכב,שׁקט, רבץ, ישׁב, ישׁב לָבֶטַחִ — in the promised land Leviticus 26:6, so after captivity Jeremiah 30:10 = Jeremiah 46:27, also Ezekiel 34:28; Ezekiel 39:26; Micah 4:4; Zephaniah 3:13; of undisturbed peace of the righteous Job 11:19; peace of flocks in forsaken cities Isaiah 17:2; undisturbed feeding on carrion by fowl and beast Deuteronomy 28:26; Jeremiah 7:33, undisturbed prowling of lions Nahum 2:12 (metaphor of Assyrians).

Root Sense and Range of Meaning

חָרַד depicts physical quaking that arises from intense fear, alarm, or reverent awe. The verb is broadly ethical rather than merely emotional, marking a heart posture that either recoils from danger or bows before the majesty of God. While other Hebrew roots such as יָרֵא (fear) and פָּחַד (terror) overlap, חָרַד uniquely stresses the bodily reaction that accompanies holy dread or panic.

Geographical and Literary Distribution

Approximately thirty-nine occurrences span the Torah, Former Prophets, Latter Prophets, Writings, and post-exilic books. It appears eleven times in the Pentateuch and Former Prophets, nineteen times in the Latter Prophets, six times in Psalms and Proverbs, and three times in Ezra–Nehemiah, reflecting a comprehensive biblical witness that fear before God and His acts is central to redemptive history.

Fear in Covenant Encounter

At Sinai “there were thunder and lightning, and a thick cloud on the mountain… and all the people in the camp trembled” (Exodus 19:16). The same verb recurs in Exodus 20:18 when Israel hears the Voice. חָרַד here underscores the holiness of divine self-revelation and the requirement that the covenant people worship “with reverence and awe” (cf. Hebrews 12:28).

Charad within Israel’s National History

• Patriarchal period: Isaac “trembled violently” upon realizing the deceit of Jacob (Genesis 27:33), an episode that underlines God’s sovereign election despite human schemes.
• Joseph narrative: The brothers’ hearts “failed and they turned trembling to one another” (Genesis 42:28) as providence exposed their sin.
• Conquest era: Gideon dismisses every man who “is fearful and trembling” (Judges 7:3), proving that deliverance is of the LORD, not of human might.
• Early monarchy: Eli’s “heart trembled for the ark of God” (1 Samuel 4:13); the ark’s loss reveals that ritual without obedience provokes judgment.
• Davidic kingship: Adonijah’s festival collapses when “all the guests with Adonijah were afraid, and each went his way” (1 Kings 1:49), demonstrating the frailty of human power when God establishes His chosen king.

Prophetic Dimension: Nations That Tremble

Isaiah addresses both Israel and Gentile powers: “The Egyptians will tremble with fear because of the waving hand of the LORD Almighty” (Isaiah 19:16). Joel 2:1 announces the Day of the LORD when “all who dwell in the land will tremble.” Jeremiah 33:9 anticipates a future reversal: the nations “will tremble for all the good and peace” God bestows on Jerusalem, confirming that the fear of judgment turns to awe at redeeming grace.

Charad and Reverence for Scripture

Post-exilic reform is driven by those “who trembled at the words of the God of Israel” (Ezra 9:4; 10:3). Isaiah 66:2 promises divine regard for “the one who is humble, contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word.” Such trembling defines genuine piety—submission that regards Scripture as the infallible voice of God.

Wisdom Literature and Personal Piety

Psalm 2:11 commands, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” Psalm 119:120 models this heart: “My flesh trembles in awe of You.” Proverbs 28:14 pronounces, “Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” חָרַד thus marks the wise believer who lives in continual, joyful reverence.

Theology of Fear and Grace

Biblically, חָרַד is not the slavish terror that drives one from God but a trembling that draws one to obedience, repentance, and worship. It may accompany judgment (Nahum 2:10), but it also heralds revival: Hosea 11:10 pictures restored Israel “trembling” in eagerness to follow the LORD.

Christological and Eschatological Dimensions

The trembling of nations foreshadows the universal acknowledgment of Christ’s lordship (Philippians 2:10-12). The Gospel calls believers to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” echoing חָרַד as a New Covenant ethic grounded in grace. Final judgment will cause the unrepentant to quake, yet redeemed saints will stand in reverent awe, secure in Christ.

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Preaching: Present the Word so that hearers respond like Josiah’s generation, trembling at revealed truth (cf. 2 Kings 22:19).
2. Worship: Cultivate liturgies that balance joyful praise with holy awe (Psalm 96:9).
3. Discipleship: Encourage believers to see trembling as evidence of a tender conscience rather than weak faith.
4. Intercession: Pray that nations—especially hardened rulers—will tremble now in repentance rather than later in irrevocable judgment.
5. Pastoral Care: Offer comfort that godly fear coexists with assurance; trembling hearts find rest in the finished work of the Savior.

Summary of Key Themes

חָרַד portrays visceral response to God’s presence, word, and works; contrasts godly fear with faithless panic; pervades redemptive history; foretells universal submission to Christ; and informs worship, preaching, and personal holiness. Onwukaಭ

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