מִפְלֶ֫צֶת (miph.le.tset)
miph.le.tset
horror
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 miphleṣet describes something so shocking or terrifying that it provokes a visceral shudder. It does not refer to ordinary fear, but to a response of horror in the face of something grotesque, dreadful, or overwhelmingly awe-inspiring. The word captures the instinctive recoil one feels when confronted with extreme evil or divine majesty.
In the biblical text, this term appears only twice, both within historical narratives concerning the kings of Israel and Judah. In 1 Kings 9:8 and 2 Chronicles 7:21, it describes the fate of the temple and city if the people turn away from God. The structures will become "a horror," a ruin so complete and desolate that onlookers will be struck with dread at the sight of what was once holy now lying in waste.
The root likely connects to concepts of trembling or being shaken, emphasizing the physical reaction to spiritual catastrophe. Translators often render it as "horror" or "desolation," highlighting that the result of covenant unfaithfulness is not just loss, but a scene that inspires revulsion and fear in those who witness it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word miphleṣet describes a profound horror, a visceral shudder provoked by something grotesque or overwhelmingly awe-inspiring. It is not ordinary fear, but a recoil from extreme evil or the loss of divine presence. In the biblical narrative, this term captures the dread felt when witnessing the ruin of what was once holy.
Though the provided verses focus on King Asa’s reforms against idolatry, the concept of miphleṣet reminds us that turning away from God leads to desolation so complete it inspires revulsion. Conversely, remaining faithful preserves the sanctity of our lives and communities. This word invites us to cherish our connection with the Divine, recognizing that spiritual fidelity protects us from the horror of emptiness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- an abominable image2×
- abominable image/ her2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִפְלַצְתָּ֔/הּ2×
- מִפְלָ֑צֶת1×
- מִפְלֶ֖צֶת1×