יָגֹר (ya.gor)
ya.gor
to fear
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb yāgôr means to feel fear or dread. It appears five times in the Old Testament, primarily in Job, Deuteronomy, and Psalms. The word describes a state of being afraid, often in response to a perceived threat or danger.
In its occurrences, yāgôr conveys a sense of trembling or alarm. For instance, in Job 3:26, the speaker says he has no peace, nor quietness, nor rest, but trouble comes. This usage highlights an internal state of anxiety and unrest rather than just an external reaction. Similarly, in Deuteronomy 1:29, Moses urges the people not to fear or be afraid when facing enemies, trusting in God’s presence.
Unlike some other Hebrew words for fear that might imply reverence or awe, yāgôr tends to focus more on the emotional response of being scared. It is a raw, human reaction to circumstances that seem overwhelming or threatening. This distinction helps readers understand the depth of emotion expressed in these biblical texts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word yāgôr captures a raw, human reaction to danger or overwhelming circumstances. It describes the physical and emotional trembling that comes when we face threats that seem too large for us to handle alone. This is not the reverent awe of worship, but the honest fear of someone standing in the shadow of trouble.
In Job 3:25, the speaker notes that the very thing he feared has come upon him. This shows how anxiety can feel like a prophecy fulfilled, where dread precedes and perhaps even shapes our experience of suffering. Recognizing this feeling is not a failure of faith; it is part of being fully human.
Yet, these verses also show us that fear does not have the final word. In Deuteronomy 9:19, Moses admits his fear but finds that God still listens and responds with mercy. We can bring our trembling hearts to God, knowing He hears us even when we feel most vulnerable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I dread2×
- you were afraid1×
- I was afraid1×
- I dreaded1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָגֹ֥רְתִּי1×
- יָגֹ֗רְתִּי1×
- יָגֹ֖רְתָּ1×
- יָגֹ֑רְתִּי1×
- יָ֝גֹ֗רְתִּי1×
Key Verses
-
Job 3:25
For the thing which I fear comes on me, that which I am afraid of comes to me.
This verse highlights how yāgôr describes an internal anxiety where the feared event actually occurs, showing the heavy burden of anticipatory dread.
-
Deuteronomy 9:19
For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which Yahweh was angry against you to destroy you. But Yahweh listened to me that time also.
Here Moses uses the word to describe his fear of God's anger, yet the context reveals that God's mercy overrides this terrifying expectation.
-
Psalms 119:39
Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
The psalmist asks God to remove the disgrace he dreads, linking yāgôr directly to the shame of being misunderstood or rejected by others.