ἔμφοβος (emphobos)
emphobos
afraid
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective emphobos describes a state of being filled with fear or terror. It combines the prefix em- ("in") with phobos ("fear"), literally meaning "in fear" or "full of fear." The sources indicate it conveys intense emotion, often translated as terrified or affrighted rather than simple apprehension.
This word appears six times in the New Testament, primarily in Luke and Acts. It captures moments of sudden shock, such as when the disciples are terrified by Jesus walking on water (Mark 6:50, though not listed in your specific text, Luke 24:37 uses it for the resurrection appearance). In Acts 10:4 and 24:25, it describes fear before God or a divine messenger. Revelation 11:13 also uses it to depict the awe of those witnessing judgment.
Unlike general anxiety, emphobos suggests a reaction to something overwhelming or supernatural. It is not cowardice but a visceral response to the presence of the holy or the unexpected. Translators often choose "terrified" to preserve this intensity, distinguishing it from milder terms for worry or respect.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word emphobos captures a sudden, overwhelming sense of awe that strikes when we encounter something far greater than ourselves. It is not the fear of failure or the anxiety of tomorrow, but a visceral reaction to the holy. When the disciples saw Jesus walking on water or met the risen Lord, their hearts raced because they recognized the presence of God breaking into their ordinary world.
This kind of fear is actually a doorway to reverence. It reminds us that we serve a sovereign Creator who is both near and mighty. Like Cornelius in Acts 10, we might feel small before His majesty, yet He responds with grace, reminding us that our prayers are heard. This awe does not push us away; it draws us closer to the One who holds all things together.
When life feels chaotic or when we stand before divine truth, let this fear shape your worship rather than paralyze you. It is a holy shock that clears the mind and focuses the heart on what truly matters. In these moments, we find peace not by controlling the storm, but by trusting the One who walks upon it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- terrified2×
- frightened1×
- filled with fear1×
- afraid1×
- Terrified1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἔμφοβοι3×
- ἔμφοβος2×
- ἐμφόβων1×
Key Verses
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Luke 24:37
But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
This verse shows how even close followers could mistake a divine appearance for a ghost, highlighting that emphobos is a reaction to the supernatural rather than simple fright.
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Acts 10:4
He, fastening his eyes on him and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.
Here the fear is directed toward a divine messenger, yet it immediately leads to a comforting message about prayer, showing that awe can coexist with God's grace.
-
Revelation of John 11:13
In that day there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
The survivors of the earthquake are terrified by judgment but respond by giving glory to God, demonstrating that this fear ultimately points toward worship and recognition of His power.