אֵימָה (e.mah)
e.mah
terror
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word eimah describes a profound sense of terror or dread. In the Old Testament, this feeling often arises from direct encounters with divine power or the overwhelming presence of God’s judgment. It is not merely fear of danger, but a deep, shaking awe that recognizes human limitation against the Creator.
For believers today, this word reminds us of God’s absolute sovereignty. While we may face anxiety in uncertain times, the terror described in Scripture points to a God who is both mighty and just. We can find comfort knowing that He holds all power, and our trust rests in His faithful character rather than in our own strength.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- terror3×
- terrors1×
- terror/ my1×
- dread/ your1×
- dread of/ me1×
- dread1×
- and/ in <the>/ terrors1×
- and/ dread/ your1×
- and/ dread/ his1×
- [the] terror of1×
- [is] terror1×
- <in>/ terror1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֵימָ֑ה2×
- וּ/בָ/אֵימִ֖ים1×
- וְ֝/אֵמָת֗/וֹ1×
- וְ֝/אֵ֥מָתְ/ךָ֗1×
- בְּ/אֵימָ֣ה1×
- אֵמִֽים\׃1×
- אֵימָֽה\׃1×
- אֵימָ֛ה1×
- אֵימָ֙תָה֙1×
- אֵֽימָתִ/י֙1×
- אֵֽימַתְ/כֶם֙1×
- אֵ֭מָתִ/י1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 15:12
When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. Now terror and great darkness fell on him.
This verse shows the word describing a physical manifestation of divine encounter that prepares Abram for God's covenant promise.
-
Exodus 15:16
Terror and dread falls on them. By the greatness of your arm they are as still as a stone, until your people pass over, Yahweh, until the people you have purchased pass over.
Here the terror serves as a protective shield for Israel, causing enemy nations to freeze in recognition of God's power.
-
Job 9:34
Let him take his rod away from me. Let his terror not make me afraid;
Job uses this term to express his desire for God to remove the overwhelming dread that makes honest dialogue impossible.
-
Proverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
This proverb illustrates how the king's authority inspires a natural, instinctive fear in those who oppose him.