The term "awe-struck" refers to a profound sense of reverence, wonder, or fear, often in response to the divine presence or actions of God. In the biblical context, being awe-struck is a common reaction to the manifestation of God's power, holiness, and majesty. This response is deeply rooted in the recognition of God's supreme authority and the human acknowledgment of His greatness.

Biblical Instances of Awe

1. Theophanies and Divine Encounters: Throughout Scripture, individuals who encounter God or His messengers often experience a state of being awe-struck. For example, when Moses encounters the burning bush, he is filled with awe and fear, recognizing the holy ground upon which he stands (Exodus 3:5-6). Similarly, the prophet Isaiah, upon seeing a vision of the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne, is overwhelmed by a sense of unworthiness and awe (Isaiah 6:1-5).

2. Miraculous Events: The miraculous acts of God often leave witnesses in a state of awe. In the New Testament, when Jesus calms the storm, His disciples are filled with great fear and wonder, asking, "Who is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:27). Such events reveal the divine authority of Jesus, prompting awe among those who witness His power.

3. Revelation of God's Glory: The revelation of God's glory is another cause for being awe-struck. At the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John witness Jesus' divine glory and are overwhelmed by the experience (Matthew 17:1-6). The voice from the cloud declaring Jesus as God's beloved Son further intensifies their awe.

4. Judgment and Holiness: The holiness and judgment of God also evoke awe. In the book of Revelation, the apostle John describes the awe-inspiring vision of God's throne, surrounded by worship and declarations of His holiness (Revelation 4:8-11). The scenes of judgment throughout Revelation serve as a reminder of God's righteous authority, leaving readers in awe of His power and justice.

Theological Significance

Being awe-struck is a natural and appropriate response to the divine. It reflects a heart that recognizes the vast chasm between human frailty and God's infinite majesty. This response is not merely emotional but is deeply spiritual, leading to worship, reverence, and a deeper understanding of God's nature.

Awe in Worship and Daily Life

The experience of being awe-struck should not be confined to extraordinary events but should permeate the believer's daily life and worship. The psalmist captures this sentiment, declaring, "Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him" (Psalm 33:8). This reverence is foundational to a life of faith, prompting believers to live in obedience and devotion to God.

In summary, the biblical concept of being awe-struck is a profound acknowledgment of God's greatness and a vital aspect of the believer's relationship with the divine. It is a response that leads to worship, reverence, and a deeper appreciation of God's majesty and holiness.(a.) Struck with awe.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

5399. phobeo -- to put to flight, to terrify, frighten
... Word Origin from phobos Definition to put to flight, to terrify, frighten NASB Word
Usage afraid (39), am afraid (2), awestruck (1), fear (27), feared (5 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5399.htm - 9k

Anxieties and Troubles, Friends and Foes
... a baptised Christian, and a real one, as his ancestors have been for nearly four
centuries; but of Jewish race, and that,' he added in an awestruck tone, 'the ...
/.../chapter xxi anxieties and troubles.htm

The Open Grave at Bethany
... his livid face, he came stumbling out into the light that dazed his eyes, closed
for four dark days, and stood silent and motionless in that awestruck crowd. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the open grave at bethany.htm

My Brother Fabius
... And when is trust in God more strong, than when there is a greater fear of Him,
and when persecution breaks out? The Church is awe-struck. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/de fuga in persecutione/my brother fabius.htm

The Transfiguration.
... solemnly uttered as the creed of the Twelve; as He heard what hitherto He could
only have gathered from casual expressions, from wistful awe-struck looks, from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dods/how to become like christ/the transfiguration.htm

Jesus the Bread of Life.
... And then, as He proceeded to distribute the ever-multiplying food, the first
awe-struck silence of the multitude gave way to exclamations of surprise and to ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xiv jesus the bread of.htm

The Private Thoughts and Words of Jesus
... His followers felt that great events were about to transpire, and they were
deeply sobered and filled with awe-struck apprehension. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the private thoughts and words.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

To Brother Raimondo of Capua of the Order of the Preachers
... Hither her enemies pursued her, but as they drew near, fell back of a sudden, awestruck,
as she herself here tells us, by her words and bearing. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to brother raimondo of capua 4.htm

To Brother Raimondo of the Preaching Order when He was in Genoa
... But we grieve with a new, awestruck perception of the loneliness of her great soul,
as we realize that to Raimondo was to be given perforce her deepest ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to brother raimondo of the.htm

The Thunderbolt Averted
... the flat of his sword. It is Macedonius the barley-eater,' exclaimed several
voices in awestruck tones. The name filled both the ...
/.../chapter viii the thunderbolt averted.htm

Awestruck (1 Occurrence)
...Awestruck (1 Occurrence). 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. ...
/a/awestruck.htm - 6k

Awe-struck (9 Occurrences)
Awe-struck. Awestruck, Awe-struck. Awful . Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Struck
with awe. ... (WEY). Awestruck, Awe-struck. Awful . Reference Bible.
/a/awe-struck.htm - 9k

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

Awe (32 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
/a/awe.htm - 17k

Sort (143 Occurrences)
... sorts. (Root in WEY BBE). Mark 1:27 And all were amazed and awe-struck, so
they began to ask one another, "What does this mean? Here ...
/s/sort.htm - 36k

Foul (41 Occurrences)
... loud cry. (WEY). Mark 1:27 And all were amazed and awe-struck, so they
began to ask one another, "What does this mean? Here is a ...
/f/foul.htm - 21k

Astonished (92 Occurrences)
... Mark 9:15 Immediately the whole multitude on beholding Him were astonished and
awe-struck, and yet they ran forward and greeted Him. (WEY). ...
/a/astonished.htm - 34k

Orders (736 Occurrences)
... orders to go. (BBE). Mark 1:27 And all were amazed and awe-struck, so they
began to ask one another, "What does this mean? Here is a ...
/o/orders.htm - 35k

Awful (20 Occurrences)

/a/awful.htm - 12k

Issues (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Issues (8 Occurrences). Mark 1:27 And all were amazed
and awe-struck, so they began to ask one another, "What does this mean? ...
/i/issues.htm - 9k

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