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What the Bible Says About Fear of God

Overview

The Bible addresses fear of god across 31 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Hebrews, Exodus and Psalms. Closely related themes include Law of Moses, the, Righteousness, Vision and Trumpet. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Jesus and Abel.

Key Bible verses about fear of god

Old Testament

Exodus

Exodus 19:12

And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

Exodus 19:13

There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. trumpet: or, cornet

Exodus 20:18

And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

Exodus 20:19

And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

Exodus 20:20

And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

New Testament

Hebrews

Hebrews 12:18

For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

Hebrews 12:19

And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

Hebrews 12:20

(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

Hebrews 12:21

And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

Hebrews 12:22

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Hebrews 12:23

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, written: or, enrolled

Hebrews 12:24

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. covenant: or, testament

Hebrews 12:28

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: let: or, let us hold fast

Hebrews 12:29

For our God is a consuming fire.

People in the Bible and fear of god

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying fear of god for yourself

  • Begin with Exodus 19:12, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Hebrews, Exodus and Psalms each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Moses, Jesus and Abel and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Law of Moses, the, Righteousness, Vision and Trumpet.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about fear of god?

The Bible addresses fear of god across 31 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Hebrews, Exodus and Psalms. Closely related themes include Law of Moses, the, Righteousness, Vision and Trumpet. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Jesus and Abel.

How many Bible verses are about fear of god?

The Bible references fear of god in 31 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention fear of god?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 19:12: “And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:”

Which people in the Bible are associated with fear of god?

Moses, Jesus and Abel.

Preach & teach

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