The term "dreaded" in the biblical context often refers to something that inspires great fear or awe, typically associated with the power and majesty of God, or the formidable nature of certain nations or events. The concept of dread is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both the fear of the Lord and the fear of impending judgment or calamity.

Fear of the Lord

The fear of the Lord is a central theme in the Bible, often described as the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). This fear is not merely terror but a profound reverence and awe for God's holiness, power, and justice. In Deuteronomy 10:12, the Israelites are commanded 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." This fear is a recognition of God's authority and a call to live in obedience to His commandments.

Dreaded Nations and Events

Throughout the Old Testament, certain nations and events are described as dreaded due to their power and the threat they pose. In Habakkuk 1:7, the Chaldeans are described as "dreaded and feared; their justice and authority originate with themselves." This passage highlights the terror that such a powerful and ruthless nation could instill in others, serving as an instrument of God's judgment.

Similarly, the Day of the Lord is often depicted as a time of dread for those who oppose God. In Joel 2:11, it is written, "The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful—who can endure it?" This prophetic imagery underscores the fearsome nature of God's judgment against sin and rebellion.

Dread in the Lives of Individuals

Individual experiences of dread are also recorded in Scripture. In Genesis 28:17, after Jacob's dream of the ladder reaching to heaven, he is filled with awe and declares, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." Here, the dread is a response to the divine presence and revelation, marking a significant moment in Jacob's spiritual journey.

In the New Testament, the concept of dread is less frequently mentioned, but the fear of God remains a vital aspect of the Christian faith. Believers are encouraged to work out their salvation "with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12), recognizing the seriousness of their relationship with God and the call to live a life worthy of the gospel.

Conclusion

The biblical notion of dread serves as a reminder of the power and holiness of God, the reality of His judgment, and the reverence due to Him. It calls believers to a life of obedience, awe, and worship, acknowledging both the love and the justice of the Almighty.(imp. & p. p.) of Dread.366. ayom -- terrible, dreadful
... Definition: awesome. Word Origin from an unused word Definition terrible, dreadful
NASB Word Usage awesome (2), dreaded (1). terrible. From ...
/hebrew/366.htm - 5k

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

How one in the Province of the Northumbrians, Rose from the Dead ...
... How one in the province of the Northumbrians, rose from the dead, and related many
things which he had seen, some to be greatly dreaded and some to be desired. ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xii how one in.htm

In Boyhood Itself, However So Much Less Dreaded for Me than Youth. ...
... Book I Chapter XII In boyhood itself, however so much less dreaded for
me than youth? In boyhood itself, however (so much less ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xii in boyhood itself.htm

The Presence of Christ
... and failure. 2. Look at the second step, "the presence of Jesus dreaded.
They were ... Him not. They dreaded His approach. And, ah ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/vi the presence of christ.htm

Description of the Gnostic's Life.
... For he well knows what is and what is not to be done; being perfectly
aware what things are really to be dreaded, and what not. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xi description of the gnostics.htm

Knots.
... It had seemed slow in coming, that hour.[104] Dreaded things seem to linger even
while they hasten, dreaded longed-for things, dreaded in the experience of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/knots.htm

Early Afflictions
... I dreaded the recurrence of the fits, and looked forward to their coming with such
abhorrence that often the fear of having a spasm would bring on the very ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter ii early afflictions.htm

False Civilization
... He may have dreaded lest his people, by settling in the towns, should learn
the idolatry of the Israelites. He may have dreaded, likewise ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon vi false civilization.htm

"We Shall See Verily the Cause of all Things that He Hath Done ...
... And as good as God is, so great He is; and as much as it belongeth to His goodness
to be loved, so much it belongeth to His greatness to be dreaded. ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxxv we shall see.htm

Book I.
... Thanks, therefore, be to God, that in this time of common fear, when everything
is dreaded from the barbarian movements, I ended the trouble of all by my ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book i.htm

Of the Ills which Alone the Wicked Fear, and which the World ...
... I see I must now speak of those evils which alone are dreaded by the heathen"famine,
pestilence, war, pillage, captivity, massacre, and the like calamities ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 1 of the ills which.htm

Dreaded (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dreaded (11 Occurrences). ... (See NAS). Job 3:25 For I feared
a fear, and it hath come upon me, and that which I dreaded hath come to me. ...
/d/dreaded.htm - 9k

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)
... The birds were brought into many pictures of desolation, because people
dreaded their fearful voices. They horned on the trackless ...
/o/ostrich.htm - 18k

Dread (69 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Job 3:25 For I feared a fear, and it hath come upon me, and that which
I dreaded hath come to me. ... Habakkuk 1:7 They are feared and dreaded. ...
/d/dread.htm - 26k

Dreadful (23 Occurrences)

/d/dreadful.htm - 13k

Shade (67 Occurrences)
... been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge
from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the dreaded ones is ...
/s/shade.htm - 31k

Ulai (2 Occurrences)
... the advent of heavy rain. Most to be dreaded are the rare occasions when
it unites with the Ab-e-Diz. 4. Assyrian References: The ...
/u/ulai.htm - 9k

Originate (5 Occurrences)
... originate in us. (WEY). Habakkuk 1:7 They are feared and dreaded. Their judgment
and their dignity proceed from themselves. (See NAS). ...
/o/originate.htm - 8k

Owl (11 Occurrences)
... It is given place in the Bible because it was considered unfit for food and because
people dreaded the cries of every branch of the numerous family. ...
/o/owl.htm - 18k

Lately (6 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:17 They sacrificed unto demons, no-gods, gods that they knew not,
new gods that came up of late, which your fathers dreaded not. (See NAS). ...
/l/lately.htm - 8k

Whirlwind (33 Occurrences)
... by them. In the desert sand is taken up in the same way, causing terrible
sandstorms which are greatly dreaded by caravans. Most ...
/w/whirlwind.htm - 19k

Does God sometimes use evil to accomplish His plans (Habakkuk 1:5-11)? | GotQuestions.org

How are idols connected to demons (Deuteronomy 32:16-17)? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus ask God to “let this cup pass from me”? | GotQuestions.org

Dreaded: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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