בְּעָתָה (be.a.tah)
be.a.tah
terror
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun be’atah describes a state of terror or dismay, capturing the intense fear that paralyzes the will. It is not merely surprise or mild anxiety, but a profound dread that strikes at the core of human security. In the biblical text, this word conveys the visceral reaction to imminent danger or divine judgment.
This term appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the book of Jeremiah (8:15 and 14:19). In these contexts, it reflects the panic of a people facing the consequences of their actions, where the expected relief fails to arrive and fear takes hold instead. The rarity of the word highlights the specific, acute nature of the crisis described.
Translators typically render be’atah as "terror" or "dismay," preserving its emotional weight. Unlike general words for fear, this noun often implies a loss of composure under pressure. Its limited usage allows readers to focus on the intensity of the moment rather than the frequency of the emotion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we wait for relief that never arrives, the silence can feel heavier than the trouble itself. The Hebrew word be’atah captures this specific kind of dread—the shock of realizing that our expectations have shattered. It is not just worry; it is a paralysis that comes when hope turns into panic. In Jeremiah 8:15, the people looked for peace but found only dismay. This word reminds us that spiritual exhaustion often feels like fear.
Yet even in this raw state, the text does not leave us in silence. The same verse continues with a cry to God, acknowledging His presence despite the pain. You do not have to hide your terror from Him. He sees the weight of disappointment and meets it with grace. Your anxiety is known, and you are held even when you feel most shaken.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- terror2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְעָתָֽה\׃2×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 8:15
We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and behold, dismay!
This verse uses be’atah to describe the sudden collapse of hope when expected healing fails to arrive, highlighting the emotional weight of unmet expectations.
-
Jeremiah 14:19
Have you utterly rejected Judah? Has your soul loathed Zion? Why have you struck us, and there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and behold, dismay!
Here the word appears in a communal lament, showing how collective despair can lead to a profound sense of abandonment and fear before God.