פָּחַד (pa.chad)
pa.chad
to dread
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb pachad describes a deep, visceral reaction to something terrifying or awe-inspiring. It goes beyond simple caution, capturing the physical trembling that comes from sudden alarm or profound reverence. In the Old Testament, this word often appears when people encounter the divine or face imminent danger, reflecting a state of being startled into fear.
Its usage varies with intensity depending on the grammatical form. The basic stem conveys dread, while the intensive form suggests a persistent timidity or caution. For instance, Proverbs 28:14 uses it to describe the blessed person who remains cautious and reverent before God, contrasting with the one who hardens their heart. Conversely, Job 4:14 employs the causative form to depict a spirit that causes deep dread to fall upon someone.
Translators typically render pachad as "fear," "dread," or "tremble." This choice highlights the word’s dual nature: it can mean terror of an enemy, as seen in Isaiah 19:16, or reverent awe before God, as in Psalm 27:1. The consistent thread is a powerful emotional response that shakes a person to their core.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pachad describes a deep, visceral reaction that shakes a person to their core. It is more than simple caution; it captures the physical trembling that comes from sudden alarm or profound reverence. In the Old Testament, this response often appears when people encounter the divine or face imminent danger. It reflects a state of being startled into fear by something greater than themselves.
This word carries a dual nature. It can mean terror of an enemy, as seen in Isaiah 19:16 where nations tremble before God’s hand. Yet it also signifies reverent awe before God, as in Psalm 27:1 where David asks, "Whom shall I fear?" when Yahweh is his salvation. The consistent thread is a powerful emotional response that acknowledges the magnitude of the situation.
Proverbs 28:14 offers a gentle path forward. It describes the blessed person who always fears God, contrasting this with one who hardens their heart. This reverence is not about living in constant panic, but about maintaining a humble and alert spirit before the Creator. Such an attitude keeps us grounded in reality and open to divine guidance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they were afraid2×
- you will fear1×
- you will dread1×
- you be in dread1×
- will I be in dread1×
- they will be in dread1×
- they were in dread1×
- they fear1×
- they are in dread1×
- let them be in dread1×
- it is in dread1×
- it caused to tremble1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּפְחָ֔ד1×
- תִּפְחֲדוּ֙1×
- תִפְחָ֑ד1×
- פָּחַ֥ד1×
- פָּחֲד֤וּ1×
- פָּחֲד֖וּ1×
- פָּ֭חַדְתִּי1×
- פָּ֣חֲדוּ1×
- פָחָ֑דוּ1×
- פָחֲד֔וּ1×
- מְפַחֵ֣ד1×
- יִפְחָ֔דוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 28:14
Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
The text links this reverence to blessing, showing that a cautious heart before God protects against trouble.
-
Job 4:14
fear came on me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.
Here the word describes a physical trembling and fear that falls upon Job, illustrating its visceral impact in moments of spiritual encounter.
-
Isaiah 19:16
In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble and fear because of the shaking of Yahweh of Armies’s hand, which he shakes over them.
This occurrence highlights the word’s use for terror before divine judgment, as Egypt trembles at God’s shaking hand.