Original Word: חָרֵד
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: chared
Pronunciation: khaw-RAYD
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-rade')
KJV: afraid, trembling
Word Origin: [from H2729 (חָרַד - tremble)]

1. fearful
2. also reverential

afraid, trembling

From charad; fearful; also reverential -- afraid, trembling.

see HEBREW charad

חָרֵד verbal adjective of foregoing, trembling; — חָרֵד Judges 7:3 3t.; חֲרֵדִים Isaiah 66:5; Ezra 10:3 — trembling (from fear), absolute Judges 7:3 ("" ירא), 1 Samuel 4:13 (subject לִבּוֺ, followed by עַל, for, in behalf of); in awe and reverence, at word of God, sq, בְּ Ezra 9:4; Isaiah 66:2 (followed by עַל), Isaiah 66:5 (followed by אֶל); compare ׳בְּמִצְוַת אל ׳ח Ezra 10:3.

Root Idea of Sacred Trembling

חָרֵד depicts an intense inner agitation that breaks upon the body as visible trembling. Scripture employs the term both for natural fear and for holy awe, but in every setting it exposes the heart’s deepest commitments—whether to self-preservation or to the honor of God.

Narrative Uses Highlighting Human Fear

Judges 7:3 records Gideon dismissing those who are “fearful and trembling” before battle. The verb describes men whose confidence fails in the face of Midian’s armies, contrasting sharply with the remnant who trust the LORD. Their departure sets the stage for the victory granted by divine power alone.

In 1 Samuel 4:13 Eli’s “heart trembled for the ark of God.” While Israel’s soldiers were routed, the high priest’s anxiety focused on the presence of the LORD symbolized by the ark. His shaking body reveals a spiritual instinct still alive in a compromised era: the covenant’s loss is more grievous than personal or national defeat.

Covenant Reverence in the Restoration Era

After the exile, Ezra discovered “everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel” gathering to him (Ezra 9:4). The same circle reappears when a covenant is proposed: “According to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God” (Ezra 10:3). Here חָרֵד identifies the faithful remnant whose reverence for Scripture moves them to repentance. This trembling is not paralysis but catalytic obedience, birthing concrete reforms that protect the holiness of post-exilic community life.

Prophetic Vision of the True Worshiper

Isaiah 66:2 sets divine favor on “the one who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.” Verse 5 extends the theme, distinguishing persecuted believers—“Your brothers who hate you… have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.” Trembling here marks authentic piety, whereas religious aggressors prove false. The prophetic context elevates חָרֵד from mere emotion to a covenant badge recognizable to God Himself.

Theological Significance

1. Fear Redirected: In Judges and Samuel, חָרֵד exposes misplaced fear (men or circumstances) versus proper fear (the holy presence).
2. Word-Centered Piety: Ezra and Isaiah show that trembling arises specifically from hearing divine revelation. The heart shakes because the voice of the Sovereign has broken in (compare Psalm 29:8).
3. Divine Approval: Isaiah 66 teaches that trembling invites God’s gaze, wedding humility to attentiveness. Reverence is thus portrayed as relational, not ritual.
4. Continuity with New Testament: Paul admonishes believers to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), carrying the Isaiah motif into the church age. Holy dread remains a hallmark of Spirit-wrought obedience.

Historical Layers

• Period of the Judges: חָרֵד separates a fearful majority from a faith-filled minority, preparing Israel to witness salvation “not by might nor by power.”
• Monarchy Decline: Eli’s trembling signals the fading yet persistent awareness of God’s glory even as priestly corruption grows.
• Post-Exilic Renewal: A remnant’s trembling safeguards Israel from repeating covenant infidelity.
• Eschatological Promise: Isaiah’s closing oracle assures that those who tremble at God’s word will inherit joy when He creates “new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17).

Ministry Applications

1. Preaching: Declare the Word in a manner that invites holy trembling, avoiding entertainment that dulls spiritual nerve endings.
2. Discipleship: Cultivate sensitivity to Scripture that moves believers from conviction to concrete repentance, echoing Ezra’s community reforms.
3. Leadership Integrity: Like Eli, shepherds must tremble more for God’s honor than for institutional success, guarding sacred trust above public perception.
4. Worship: Shape gatherings where awe precedes petition, ensuring music, prayer and teaching foster reverence rather than casual familiarity.

Related Themes and Cross References

• Fear of the LORD: Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 112:1
• Contrition: Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 57:15
• Divine Presence and Trembling Creation: Psalm 97:4; Jeremiah 5:22
• Remnant Theology: Isaiah 10:20-22; Romans 11:5

Summary

חָרֵד in its six Old Testament occurrences charts a spiritual trajectory from natural fear to sanctified trembling. Whether sifting an army, indicting a priesthood, reforming a nation or defining true worship, the term underscores that genuine faith quakes before the majesty of God and is galvanized into obedient action. Those who tremble at His Word find themselves under His attentive eye, both in Israel’s history and in the ongoing life of the church.

הַחֲרֵדִ֖ים החרדים וְהַחֲרֵדִ֖ים וְחָרֵ֔ד וְחָרֵ֖ד והחרדים וחרד חָרֵ֔ד חָרֵד֙ חרד chaRed ha·ḥă·rê·ḏîm ḥā·rêḏ hachareDim haḥărêḏîm ḥārêḏ vechaRed vehachareDim wə·ha·ḥă·rê·ḏîm wə·ḥā·rêḏ wəhaḥărêḏîm wəḥārêḏInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts