Bible Dictionary: Awe

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) Dread; great fear mingled with respect.

2. (n.) The emotion inspired by something dreadful and sublime; an undefined sense of the dreadful and the sublime; reverential fear, or solemn wonder; profound reverence.

3. (v. t.) To strike with fear and reverence; to inspire with awe; to control by inspiring dread.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

AWE

o: Fear mingled with reverence and wonder, a state of mind inspired by something terrible or sublime.

In the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) it occurs in Psalm 4:4: "Stand in awe, and sin not" (where the Revised Version, margin has, "Be ye angry," so Septuagint; compare Ephesians 4:26); Psalm 33:8; Psalm 119:161. In the following passages the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "stand in awe" for the King James Version "fear": Psalm 22:23 phoboumenoi;

Isaiah 29:23 1 Samuel 18:15; Malachi 2:5; and in Hebrews 12:28 it substitutes "awe" for the King James Version "reverence" (deos here only in New Testament). In all these passages, except 1 Samuel 18:15 (eulabeito, where it describes Saul's feeling toward David), the word stands for man's attitude of reverential fear toward God. This is the characteristic attitude of the pious soul toward God in the Scriptures, especially in the Old Testament. It arises from a consciousness of the infinite power, sublimity and holiness of God, which fills the mind with the "fear of the Lord," and a dread of violating His law. See FEAR.

D. Miall Edwards

Greek

4573. sebazomai -- to fear, spec. to have reverential awe
... to have reverential awe. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sebazomai Phonetic
Spelling: (seb-ad'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I worship Definition: I worship ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4573.htm - 6k

1190a. deos -- fear, reverence
... fear, reverence. Transliteration: deos Short Definition: awe. Word Origin from deido
(to fear) Definition fear, reverence NASB Word Usage awe (1). 1190, 1190a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1190a.htm - 5k

127. aidos -- a sense of shame
... as a negative particle) and eido (through the idea of downcast eyes); bashfulness,
ie (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe -- reverence, shamefacedness. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/127.htm - 6k

2124. eulabeia -- caution
... reverence, awe. From eulabes; properly, caution, ie (religiously) reverence (piety);
by implication, dread (concretely) -- fear(-ed). see GREEK eulabes. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2124.htm - 7k

1568. ekthambeo -- to amaze, to be amazed
... Verb Transliteration: ekthambeo Phonetic Spelling: (ek-tham-beh'-o) Short Definition:
I am greatly astonished Definition: I am greatly astonished, am awe-struck ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1568.htm - 7k

5401. phobos -- panic flight, fear, the causing of fear, terror
... fear, terror NASB Word Usage cause of fear (1), fear (37), fearful (1), fears (1),
intimidation (1), respect (1), respectful (1), reverence (1), sense of awe (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5401.htm - 7k

4586. semnos -- reverend, ie venerable, spec. serious
... 4586 (an adjective derived from 4576 , "to revere, be in awe") -- properly, what
is (dignified, has ""); weighty, deeply respected because viewed as majestic ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4586.htm - 7k

5399. phobeo -- to put to flight, to terrify, frighten
... to fear. From phobos; to frighten, ie (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to
be in awe of, ie Revere -- be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5399.htm - 9k

2285. thambos -- amazement
... Noun, Neuter Transliteration: thambos Phonetic Spelling: (tham'-bos) Short Definition:
astonishment Definition: astonishment, amazement (allied to terror or awe ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2285.htm - 7k

2298. thaumastos -- wonderful
... Cognate: 2298 -- marvelous, describing an awe-evoking sight (dramatic sense of ),
moving the beholder to their deepest emotions. See 2296 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2298.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

6342. pachad -- to dread, be in dread or in awe
... pachad. 6343 . to dread, be in dread or in awe. Transliteration: pachad Phonetic
Spelling: (paw-kkad') Short Definition: dread. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6342.htm - 6k

6345. pachdah -- dread, (religious) awe
... dread, (religious) awe. Transliteration: pachdah Phonetic Spelling: (pakh-daw')
Short Definition: dread. ... fear. Feminine of pachad; alarm (ie Awe) -- fear. ...
/hebrew/6345.htm - 6k

6184. arits -- awe-inspiring, terror-striking
... 6183, 6184. arits. 6185 . awe-inspiring, terror-striking. Transliteration:
arits Phonetic Spelling: (aw-reets') Short Definition: ruthless. ...
/hebrew/6184.htm - 6k

6206. arats -- to cause to tremble, tremble
... tremble NASB Word Usage cause (1), cause terror (1), cause trembling (1), dread
(3), feared (2), make the tremble (2), shocked (1), stand in awe (1), tremble (4 ...
/hebrew/6206.htm - 6k

7264. ragaz -- to be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited ...
... be afraid, stand in awe, disquiet, fall out, fret, move, provoke, quake,. A
primitive root; to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially ...
/hebrew/7264.htm - 6k

3372a. yare -- to fear
... frighten (4), frightened (1), have...fear (1), made me afraid (1), revere (10),
revered (3), reverence (3), showed reverence (1), stand in awe (1), terrible (3 ...
/hebrew/3372a.htm - 6k

6343. pachad -- dread
... Word Origin from pachad Definition dread NASB Word Usage awe (1), disaster (1),
dread (20), fear (9), great (1), great fear (1), great fear where fear (1 ...
/hebrew/6343.htm - 6k

1481. guwr -- to sojourn
... also to gather for hostility (as afraid) -- abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear,
gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger ...
/hebrew/1481.htm - 5k

2865. chathath -- to be shattered or dismayed
... NASB Word Usage been shattered (3), break (1), cracked (1), dismay (1), dismayed
(26), frighten (1), shatter (1), shattered (9), stood in awe (1), terrified (8 ...
/hebrew/2865.htm - 6k

1481c. gur -- to dread
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to dread NASB Word Usage afraid (2), dreaded
(1), fear (4), feared (1), stand in awe (2). 1481b, 1481c. gur. 1482 . ...
/hebrew/1481c.htm - 5k

Library

Schin.
... Let us therefore here also recognise the words of the Church: "Princes have persecuted
me without a cause: and my heart hath stood in awe of Thee" (ver.161). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/schin.htm

Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting.
... And then (came) the word of the Lord unto Elijah, Thou hast seen how Ahab hath shrunk
in awe from my face: for that he hath shrunk in awe I will not bring the ...
/.../chapter vii further examples from the.htm

Shaping a Prayer on the Anvil of the Knees.
... One enters with a holy hush over his spirit, and, with awe in his eyes, looks
at Jesus in Gethsemane. ... With what awe must they have ministered! ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/shaping a prayer on the.htm

"But in what I am Now About to Narrate...
... We did so with deep reverence and awe, as if we were carrying out a watch prescribed
to us before the tent of an angel; while, all the time, the door of his ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xiii but in what.htm

Humility
... sinful man, O Lord'? God grant to us all, that after that first feeling of
dread and awe is over, we may go on, as St. Peter went on ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xviii humility.htm

1 Timothy vi. 13-16
... Again he calls God to witness, as he had done a little before, at once to increase
his disciple's awe, and to secure his safety, and to show that these were ...
/.../homily xviii 1 timothy vi.htm

Christ and his Captors
... He emphasises our Lord's patient standing there, in the midst of the awe-struck
crowd, and even inciting them, as it would seem, to do the work for which they ...
/.../christ and his captors.htm

The Beatific vision
... If we could see Jesus as he was, we should see him with great awe. If we had
seen him walking on the water, what awe should we have felt! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the beatific vision.htm

Hallowing Christ
... He is, the Lord. Let us take care that our thoughts about Jesus Christ
are full of devout awe and reverence. I venture to think ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/hallowing christ.htm

Reverence in Worship.
... The more he acquainted himself with God, the greater would be his awe and holy fear. ...
They have considered awe to be superstition, and reverence to be slavery. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon i reverence in worship.htm

Thesaurus

Awe (32 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To strike with fear and reverence; to inspire with awe; to control
by inspiring dread. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AWE. ...
/a/awe.htm - 17k

Awe-struck (9 Occurrences)
Awe-struck. Awestruck, Awe-struck. Awful . Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Struck
with awe. Multi-Version Concordance Awe-struck (9 Occurrences). ...
/a/awe-struck.htm - 9k

Awe-inspiring (2 Occurrences)
Awe-inspiring. Awe, Awe-inspiring. Awesome . Multi-Version
Concordance Awe-inspiring (2 Occurrences). Song of Songs ...
/a/awe-inspiring.htm - 6k

Awe-stricken (1 Occurrence)
Awe-stricken. Awesome, Awe-stricken. Awestruck . Noah Webster's Dictionary
(a.) Awe-struck. Multi-Version Concordance Awe-stricken (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/awe-stricken.htm - 6k

Fear (970 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) To have a reverential awe of; to solicitous to avoid the displeasure of.
8. (n.) To be anxious or solicitous for. 9. (n.) To suspect; to doubt. 10. ...
/f/fear.htm - 50k

Awful (20 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Inspiring awe; filling with profound reverence, or with fear and admiration;
fitted to inspire reverential fear; profoundly impressive. ...
/a/awful.htm - 12k

Awesome (47 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Causing awe; appalling; awful; as, an awesome
sight. 2. (a.) Expressive of awe or terror. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/a/awesome.htm - 20k

Astonished (92 Occurrences)
... The personality, teaching and works of Jesus were so wonderful, Divine, supernatural,
as to awaken emotions of surprise and awe never before known in the ...
/a/astonished.htm - 34k

Revere (26 Occurrences)
... (vt) To regard with reverence, or profound respect and affection, mingled with
awe or fear; to venerate; to reverence; to honor in estimation. ...
/r/revere.htm - 13k

Bannered (2 Occurrences)
... Bannered (2 Occurrences). Song of Songs 6:4 Fair 'art' thou, my friend, as Tirzah,
Comely as Jerusalem, Awe-inspiring as bannered hosts. (YLT). ...
/b/bannered.htm - 7k

Bible Concordance

Awe (32 Occurrences)

Matthew 9:8 And the crowds were awe-struck when they saw it, and ascribed the glory to God who had entrusted such power to a man.
(WEY NAS NIV)

Matthew 17:6 When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.
(See RSV)

Matthew 27:54 Now the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God."
(See RSV)

Mark 4:41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
(See RSV)

Mark 6:20 for Herod stood in awe of John, knowing him to be an upright and holy man, and he protected him. After listening to him he was in great perplexity, and yet he found a pleasure in listening.
(WEY)

Mark 9:6 For he knew not what to say: they were filled with such awe.
(WEY)

Luke 1:65 And all who lived round about them were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judaea reports of all these things were spread abroad.
(WEY NIV)

Luke 5:26 Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today."
(See RSV NIV)

Luke 7:16 All were awe-struck, and they gave glory to God--some saying, "A Prophet, a great Prophet, has risen up among us." Others said, "God has not forgotten His People."
(WEY NIV)

Acts 2:43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
(See NAS NIV)

Acts 3:10 and recognizing him as the man who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple asking for alms, they were filled with awe and amazement at what had happened to him.
(WEY)

Romans 11:20 True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don't be conceited, but fear;
(See RSV)

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,
(WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 28:17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
(See JPS NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 4:14 On that day, Yahweh magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 12:18 So Samuel called to Yahweh; and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 18:15 When Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he stood in awe of him.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY RSV)

1 Kings 3:28 All Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do justice.
(See RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 16:25 For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all gods.
(See RSV)

Job 25:2 "Dominion and fear are with him. He makes peace in his high places.
(See NAS NIV)

Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and don't sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Psalms 22:23 You who fear Yahweh, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him! Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel!
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Psalms 33:8 Let all the earth fear Yahweh. Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Psalms 65:8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
(See JPS NAS)

Psalms 119:120 My flesh is moved for fear of you; I give honour to your decisions.
(See NIV)

Psalms 119:161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Ecclesiastes 5:7 Because much talk comes from dreams and things of no purpose. But let the fear of God be in you.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 29:23 But when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in the midst of him, they will sanctify my name. Yes, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 2:19 The evil you yourselves have done will be your punishment, your errors will be your judge: be certain then, and see that it is an evil and a bitter thing to give up the Lord your God, and no longer to be moved by fear of me, says the Lord, the Lord of armies.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 33:9 This city shall be to me for a name of joy, for a praise and for a glory, before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do to them, and shall fear and tremble for all the good and for all the peace that I procure to it.
(See NIV)

Habakkuk 3:2 Yahweh, I have heard of your fame. I stand in awe of your deeds, Yahweh. Renew your work in the midst of the years. In the midst of the years make it known. In wrath, you remember mercy.
(WEB NIV)

Malachi 2:5 "My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him who he might be reverent toward me; and he was reverent toward me, and stood in awe of my name.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Awe

Related Terms

Awe-struck (9 Occurrences)

Awe-inspiring (2 Occurrences)

Awe-stricken (1 Occurrence)

Fear (970 Occurrences)

Awful (20 Occurrences)

Awesome (47 Occurrences)

Astonished (92 Occurrences)

Revere (26 Occurrences)

Bannered (2 Occurrences)