The ‘fear of God’ is a concept present in both Judaism and Christianity that encompasses a range of dynamic but interconnected meanings. The Hebrew root of the word fear literally means “flowing of the gut,” which can be applied to both fear and reverence reverence. The word’s multiplicity of meaning reflects the tension of being in the presence of a God who is all-powerful and all-just, but yes also all-loving and good. This sense of awe encompasses a range of emotions such as wonder, amazement, gratitude, and worship and encapsulates a profound appreciation for the magnificence and splendor of God. It can be likened to encountering the sun, which bestows light and vitality upon the earth yet requires cautious interaction on its own accord (i.e., with sunscreen!) to prevent any potential harm.
According to some Jewish sages, the Hebrew word for fear, yirah, is linked to the word for seeing, raah, due to their similar spellings in Hebrew. This connection suggests that when one sees life through the lens of the fear of God, that person experiences wonder and awe over the glory of all things, and everything becomes sacred. Thus, fear and trembling before the Lord are often associated with the idea of an inner awareness of the sanctity of life itself.
Many associate the fear of God with a negative connotation, as in fearing God’s judgment and punishment. However, in the story of Jesus, the fear of God is shown in its totality, encompassing both judgment and love. Christians draw near to God as the righteous judge in fear and trepidation but also with the full confidence of His love as demonstrated by the cross. God is simultaneously seen as a consuming fire and a comforter.
In the Hebrew Bible
In the Hebrew Bible, it is clear that fear of the Lord is something learned (cf. Psalm 34:11, 2 Kings 17:28). The Israelites were called to fear the Lord as they were given the law. Moses implored them, saying:
“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?”
Deuteronomy 10:12-13, NKJV
Fear of the Lord is mentioned first, implying it is a foundational requirement for properly serving God. Fear of the Lord is often contrasted with fear of humankind or fear of other gods, suggesting it is almost a part of our innate human makeup to fear, or reverence, something or someone.God, over and over again, affirms that it is only through fear of Him, the one true God, that humanity can find life.
The wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible (Proverbs, Psalms, Job, Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes) frequently emphasizes the importance of the fear of the Lord, stating it is the foundation of wisdom and leads to a fulfilling life. Proverbs 9:10 explains, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (ESV). This verse highlights the connection between the fear of God and wisdom, providing gateway to obtaining insight into the divine nature of God, of knowing right from wrong, good from evil, the knowledge the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil purported to provide. Ironically, the choice to eat of that tree revealed a fatal lack of fear of the Lord, and both knowledge and wisdom were lost. . Without the fear of the Lord, people may struggle all the more to turn away from evil and may remain in darkness.
Fear of the Lord is also associated with God’s friendship and protection. Psalm 25:14 states, “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him” (ESV), and Psalm 33:18 affirms that the Lord’s eye is upon those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love. Those who reverence God receive His blessings and guidance.
Furthermore, the fear of the Lord is seen as a source of life and longevity. When Moses gave the people God’s Law, he adjured them to heed God’s commandments, “so that you and your children and your children’s children may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life and keep all his decrees and his commandments that I am commanding you, so that your days may be long” (Deuteronomy 6:2 NRSVUE). By embracing the fear of God, individuals gain wisdom and understanding of the ways of the Lord and the world. This wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge, but is a way of life rooted in the fear of God.
The book of Job concludes with the declaration that “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28 ESV). Job, who had faced immense trials and tribulations, recognized the importance of the fear of God and how it leads to true wisdom and understanding. He now understood that fear of the Lord is an indispensable aspect of the pursuit of a meaningful and fulfilling life, especially in the face of great suffering.
Isaiah painted the picture of a suffering servant who is filled with the fear of the Lord, prophesying, “the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2-3 ESV). Jesus later embodied Isaiah’s prophetic description of the Suffering Servant, perfectly modeling the fear of God.
In Judaism
In Judaism, the concept of the fear of God is central to the idea of mitzvot (commandments) and the observance of Halakha (Jewish law). Rabbi Moses Maimonides, a medieval Jewish scholar, in his famous work Mishneh Torah, outlined the 613 mitzvot found in the Torah. According to Maimonides, the fear of God is a fundamental component of the first and most important commandment: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-3 ESV). The fear of God is seen as a motivator for the observance of all the mitzvot and as an essential ingredient for a healthy and meaningful relationship with God.
For Jewish mystics, the fear of God provides a way to experience the Divine presence in everyday life. David once wrote, “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8 ESV). Note the juxtaposition of reverence and fear involved in this verse. When one sets the LORD always before them in reverence, they are not shaken by fear of anything else.
Some sages interpret this verse to mean that we should picture the Shekhinah Presence (God’s visible glory in the pillar of fire and cloud, Exodus 13:21-22) in front of us at all times. In Jewish tradition, a type of meditative artwork called shiviti is designed to remind us we are standing in the Presence of God. Often shivitis are placed on the eastern wall of a synagogue. Shivitis are artistic renderings of the statement, “Know before whom you stand.” Sometimes, shivitis are also performed orally, in the repetition of a particular verse of Scripture. These techniques are meant to instill within God’s people the sense that God’s glory fills the whole earth and that humans owe their lives to Him. Since each person is created in the image of God, each person on earth can stand as a reminder of
God’s presence.
In classical Jewish thought, the fear of God, or yirat HaShem, involves three distinct levels or types. The first level of fear is motivated by the apprehension of suffering unpleasant consequences or punishment for one’s actions. This type of fear may also be driven by a desire for social acceptance and the need to avoid rejection. Such fear often leads people to value justice, not because it is inherently good, but because they fear the consequences of not following social norms. This first level of fear is often described as deference to the Lord as an almighty king, a kind of fear that is focused on the fear of punishment or retribution for disobedience.
The second level of fear is based on anxiety concerning the breaking of God’s law and the resulting punishment. Though there is more respect for the goodness of God’s commandments, which may motivate people to do good deeds, there is also still a distinct sense of self-preservation. While some may have a genuine desire to honor God or avoid His wrath for sin, the underlying motivation remains fear of God’s judgment. However, God is just and does not tolerate wickedness, so those who practice evil have a genuine reason to be afraid. This level of fear is often described as the fear of the Lord as a judge, focused on fearing retribution for breaking the law. The Chofetz Chaim, a book by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, warns that even though the fear of God’s punishment may deter us from sin in the short run, by itself it is insufficient for spiritual life, since it is based on an incomplete idea about God. Such fear sees God in terms of justice but overlooks God as a compassionate Savior.
The third and highest level of fear involves a profound reverence for life, characterized by worshipful awareness, holy affection, and genuine communion with God’s Holy Spirit. This level of fear is linked with seeing and is characterized by a deep understanding of the presence of God in all things. It is sometimes called the “awe of the exalted.” Through it, we are able to behold God’s glory and majesty in everything. Often described as the fear of the Lord as father, it is a humble reverence that focuses on love and respect for God as a tender and caring father who wants the best for His children. Love for good creates a spiritual antipathy toward evil, and conversely, hatred of evil is a way of fearing God as love draws us near to God. Proverbs 8:13 affirms” “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil” (ESV). In this sense, fear is not the opposite of love, but a complementary emotion working in tandem with love. Fear of the Lord in this sense is not a negative emotion of dread or terror, but a positive force helping us to understand and appreciate the greatness and majesty of God, and to draw us closer to Him in adoration, devotion, and love.
In Christianity
Jesus taught that in order to see the Kingdom of God, humans need a spiritual rebirth (John 3:3). This new principle of life from God operates according to the law of the Spirit of life. Christians also understand awe is not an end in itself but a means to wisdom, which is ultimately revealed in the sacrificial death of God’s Son. This act demonstrates God’s love for humanity and His rejection of evil and sin. In this way, the fear of God is not simply a feeling of reverence or awe, but a deep sense of respect and devotion that inspires His followers to seek a deeper relationship with God and live according to His will.
Still, even for Christians, the fear of God is often linked to the idea of judgment and the fear of punishment for sin. The New Testament teaches that God is a just and holy God who will judge the world in righteousness. The book of Hebrews exhorts its readers to “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV). The fear the author of Hebrews was speaking of is not a fear of punishment, but a healthy respect and reverence for the power and majesty of God, for God’s righteousness and justice, understanding that God’s fire consumes evil and purifies good. In Matthew 10:28, Jesus teaches “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (ESV). This warning highlights the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and obedience. However, the fear of God is not meant to paralyze believers with terror but to inspire them to live in accordance with God’s will and to share God’s love with others.
Despite its association with judgment and punishment, Christianity also teaches that the fear of God is ultimately grounded in love. 1 John 4:18 explains “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love” (ESV). The fear of God is not a fear of punishment but a response to the love and grace of God. It is a recognition that God is the source of all life and goodness, and that we are called to respond to that love with reverent obedience.
Jesus emphasized the importance of loving God and loving one’s neighbor as oneself, as the two greatest commandments (Mark 12:28-34). Jesus encouraged His followers to have a personal relationship with God, as a loving Father, rather than as a distant deity to be feared. He showed the breadth of God’s desire to be close to humanity by taking on human flesh, and the lengths God will go to reconcile His relationship with people by dying on the cross.
The fear of God moves from reverence and awe to a deep sense of respect and devotion that inspires believers to seek a deeper relationship with God, to live according to His will. This fear is rooted in the sacrificial death of God’s Son, which demonstrates God’s love for humanity and His rejection of evil and sin. Therefore, the ultimate goal of the fear of God is to reveal the amazing love of God to humanity.
In Catholicism, the fear of God is often linked to the sacrament of penance or reconciliation. This sacrament involves confessing one’s sins to a priest and receiving absolution, which allows the penitent to be reconciled with God and the Church. It is also considered one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, which first enables a person to avoid doing wrong and motivates a person to do right instead. But the spiritual gift of fearing the Lord does much more. Fear of the Lord instills a sense of trust in God, wisdom in temperance, and grace in humility.
Fear of God is a complex and multifaceted concept that is present in both Judaism and Christianity. It encompasses a range of dynamic but interconnected meanings, including reverence, awe, wonder, love, and honor. Fear of God is not a fear of punishment but a healthy respect for the power and majesty of God. It is a way to cultivate a deep sense of awe and wonder in the face of the Divine mystery and to gain wisdom and insight into the ways of God and the world.
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