פַּחְדָּה (pach.dah)
pach.dah
dread
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pachdah denotes a profound sense of dread or religious awe. Unlike simple fright, this term captures the heavy, trembling reverence one feels in the presence of the divine or in the face of imminent judgment. It describes a state where fear and respect are intertwined, creating a deep psychological weight.
Its usage is quite rare, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible at Jeremiah 2:19. In this context, it underscores the severity of Israel’s sin, framing their rebellion not just as a mistake but as a source of terrifying consequence. The word forces the reader to confront the seriousness of turning away from God.
Translators often render pachdah as "dread" or "awe" to preserve its dual nature. This choice highlights that the emotion is not merely panic, but a sober recognition of power and holiness. The term serves as a stark reminder of the gravity inherent in the relationship between humanity and the Creator.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pachdah describes a heavy, trembling reverence that arises when we stand before God’s holiness. It is not simple panic, but a sober recognition of His power and our own frailty. In Jeremiah 2:19, this dread warns Israel that turning away from God leads to bitter consequences.
This feeling can be unsettling, yet it points to a deeper truth: God desires our awe because it reflects the reality of who He is. When we lose sight of His majesty, we drift into spiritual apathy. The weight of pachdah reminds us that our relationship with Him is serious and sacred.
May this awareness draw you closer to Him, not in terror, but in humble trust. Let the reverence for God shape your daily walk, grounding your faith in the reality of His holy presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- awe of/ me1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פַחְדָּתִ/י֙1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 2:19
“Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backsliding will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing, that you have forsaken Yahweh your God, and that my fear is not in you,” says the Lord, Yahweh of Armies.
This verse uses pachdah to show that Israel’s backsliding resulted in the loss of God’s fear, highlighting the bitter consequence of abandoning their covenant relationship.