מְגוֹרָה (me.go.rah)
me.go.rah
fear
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun megorah denotes a deep sense of fear or terror, often arising from the presence of a powerful authority. In the Hebrew Bible, it describes the reverent awe that keeps people from acting recklessly, particularly in the context of divine judgment or human leadership.
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Proverbs 28:1. There, it is paired with transgression to explain why the wicked are terrified while the upright remain confident. The text suggests that this fear is not merely an emotional reaction but a structural reality of moral order.
Its root relates to being driven back or recoiling from danger. Translators typically render it as "fear" or "dread," capturing the instinctive shrinkage from what is threatening. Unlike simple anxiety, megorah implies a response to an external force that commands respect and caution.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word megorah describes a deep sense of dread or terror that arises when facing powerful authority. It is not simple anxiety, but a structural response to something threatening. In Proverbs 10:24, we see this fear overtaking the wicked because their actions have created real danger.
For your faith, this word reminds us that moral order matters. When we live with integrity, we do not need to live in constant fear of consequences. The upright remain confident because they walk in truth. This peace is a gift when we trust in God's justice rather than our own schemes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] fear of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְגוֹרַ֣ת1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 10:24
What the wicked fear will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
This verse shows megorah as the inevitable consequence that overtakes those who live wickedly, contrasting with the granted desires of the righteous.