What Does mora (מוֹרָא) Mean in the Bible?

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun mora captures a complex blend of fear, reverence, and terror. It describes the profound awe that arises when encountering something overwhelmingly powerful or holy. In the Old Testament, this word often points to the reaction people have toward God’s mighty acts, where human weakness meets divine strength.

Its usage extends beyond simple fright to include a deep respect for authority. For instance, in Deuteronomy and Malachi, it refers to the "fear" that leads to obedience and honor. The sources also note its application to awe-inspiring spectacles or deeds, suggesting that mora is not just an internal emotion but a response to visible manifestations of power.

Translators sometimes render this word as "terror" when describing judgment, and other times as "reverence" in contexts of worship. This duality highlights the biblical view that true respect for God involves both a healthy fear of His justice and a deep love for His holiness. The word reminds readers that encountering the divine is never a casual experience.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word mora describes a reaction to something overwhelmingly powerful. It is not merely panic, but a deep awe that recognizes a gap between human weakness and divine strength. When we encounter God’s holiness, this feeling reminds us of who He is and who we are.

This reverence leads to obedience. In Malachi, the prophet links this fear to honor, showing that true respect for God changes how we live. It invites us to approach Him with humility, acknowledging His majesty while trusting in His care.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.

and/ fear/ your2×

the/ terror1×

fear/ its1×

fear1×

and/ with/ terror1×

and/ by/ terrors1×

and/ by/ terror1×

[will be] fear/ your1×

[is] fear/ my1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

מוֹרָאִ֜/י1×

מוֹרָא֥/וֹ1×

מוֹרָ֖א1×

מוֹרַאֲ/כֶ֖ם1×

וּ/מוֹרַאֲ/כֶ֤ם1×

וּ/מֽוֹרַאֲ/כֶ֜ם1×

וּ/בְ/מוֹרָאִ֖ים1×

וּ/בְ/מוֹרָ֖א1×

וּ/בְ/מֹרָ֖א1×

הַ/מּוֹרָ֣א1×

Key Verses

Malachi 2:5

“My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him that he might be reverent toward me; and he was reverent toward me, and stood in awe of my name.

This verse connects the concept directly to a covenant of life and peace, showing that reverence is the proper response to God's gift.

Deuteronomy 4:34

Or has God tried to go and take a nation for himself from among another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand, by an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that Yahweh your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

Here the term describes the visible 'great terrors' of Egypt, highlighting how God’s power commands attention through historical acts.

Isaiah 8:13

Yahweh of Armies is who you must respect as holy. He is the one you must fear. He is the one you must dread.

The text commands believers to make Yahweh holy in their hearts, identifying Him as the sole object of ultimate dread and respect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word mora mean?

Mora refers to a complex mix of fear, reverence, and awe. It describes the human response when encountering something overwhelmingly powerful or holy, such as God's mighty acts.

Is mora just about being scared?

No, it goes beyond simple fright. While it can mean terror in contexts of judgment, it often signifies deep respect and honor for authority, leading to obedience rather than just panic.

Where does this word appear most significantly?

It appears in key passages like Malachi 2:5, where it links reverence to God's covenant, and Deuteronomy 4:34, describing the terrors of the Exodus. These verses show its role in both worship and history.

Every Occurrence (10 verses across 5 books)