The meaning of Terrible, Terror in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
ter'-i-b'l, ter'-er (yare', "to be feared," "reverenced," arits, "powerful," "tyrannical," 'ayom, "aweinspiring," chittith "terror," ballahah, "a worn-out or wasted thing," 'emah, "fright"; phoberos, "dreadful," phobos, "fear"): The above terms, and many others which employed, denote whatever, by horrible aspect, or by greatness, power, or cruelty, affrights men (Deuteronomy 1:19; Deuteronomy 26:8; Daniel 2:31). God is terrible by reason of His awful greatness, His infinite power, His inscrutable dealings, His perfect holiness, His covenant faithfulness, His strict justice and fearful judgments (Exodus 34:10; Deuteronomy 7:21; Nehemiah 9:32; Job 6:4; Job 37:22; Psalms 65:5; Psalms 88:15 f.; Joel 2:11; Zephaniah 2:11; Hebrews 12:21). The term is also applied to the enemies of God and of His people (Isaiah 13:11; Isaiah 25:3 ff.; Isaiah 49:25; Daniel 7:7; I Peter 3:14). "The terror (the Revised Version (British and American) "fear") of the Lord" (II Corinthians 5:11) denotes the reverence or fear inspired by the thought that Christ is judge (II Corinthians 5:10).
M. O. Evans
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