Fear (Yirah)
יִרְאָה (yirah)
Reverent awe — the trembling wonder and holy respect that constitutes true wisdom.
Yirah is the Hebrew word for fear, encompassing both terror and reverent awe. The 'fear of the LORD' is not dread but holy reverence — the foundational posture of wisdom that recognizes God's infinite greatness.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." — Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)
Key Verses
Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”Read in context
Psalm 111:10
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments.”Read in context
Proverbs 14:27
“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H3374 — Fear (Yirah) (יִרְאָה (yirah))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where יִרְאָה (yirah) appears.
Open Strong's H3374Etymology and Original Meaning
Yirah comes from the verb yare, meaning 'to fear,' 'to be afraid,' or 'to revere.' It spans a spectrum from terror to awe to reverence. Context determines the shade of meaning. When applied to God, yirah is not cringing dread but overwhelming reverence — the appropriate response of a finite creature encountering the infinite Creator. It is the trembling wonder that produces wisdom.
The Beginning of Wisdom
Proverbs 9:10 declares, 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.' This is not merely the first step but the foundation — the starting point without which nothing else in the wisdom project makes sense. If you misidentify the ultimate reality (God), you will miscalculate everything else. The fear of the LORD is the correct calibration of the soul — seeing reality as it truly is.
Fear and Love
The fear of the LORD is not opposed to love but complementary. 'The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy' (Psalm 147:11). Fear without love becomes servile terror; love without fear becomes casual presumption. Together, they produce the healthiest possible relationship with God — intimate yet reverent, confident yet humble, bold yet careful.
Fear as Freedom
Paradoxically, the fear of the LORD produces freedom. 'The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death' (Proverbs 14:27). Those who fear God properly fear nothing else — they are liberated from the fear of people, circumstances, death, and the future. One great fear displaces a thousand lesser fears. The fear of God is the antidote to all other fears.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does fear of the LORD mean?
Fear of the LORD (yirah) is reverent awe — the trembling wonder and holy respect that recognizes God's infinite greatness. It is not cringing dread but the foundational posture of wisdom that sees reality correctly.
How can fear be the beginning of wisdom?
Because wisdom starts with correctly identifying ultimate reality. If you recognize God as Creator, Judge, and Redeemer (fear of the LORD), everything else falls into proper perspective. Without this foundation, all other knowledge is misaligned.
What is the Hebrew word for "Fear (Yirah)" in the Bible?
יִרְאָה (yirah), pronounced "yir-AH." It means reverent awe — the trembling wonder and holy respect that constitutes true wisdom. Its Strong's number is H3374. It is the word behind "Fear (Yirah)" in both Testaments, for example in Proverbs 9:10.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Fear (Yirah)"?
Proverbs 9:10 — "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (KJV). It also appears in Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 14:27.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Fear (Yirah) (יִרְאָה (yirah))
Reverent awe — the trembling wonder and holy respect that constitutes true wisdom.
Strong's H3374 — Fear (Yirah)
יִרְאָה (yirah) • Reverent awe — the trembling wonder and holy respect that constitutes true wisdom.
Fear (יִרְאָה (Yirah) / φόβος (Phobos))
Reverent awe before God; also natural human dread
Proverbs 1:7 — Meaning & Devotional
Wisdom
Proverbs 1:7 Commentary
In-depth study • Wisdom & Reverence
Psalm 111:10 Commentary
In-depth study • Wisdom & Reverence
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