'Fear' of Yahweh in the Old Testament

Abstract

The common view of the 'fear' of God (the Lord) is. that it is a synonym of. our modem, tarn 'religion'. This opinion is not exactly accurate. The survey of the studies on. the 'fear' of God which have appeared in the last few decades (Chapter I), is intended to show that the 'fear' of God is to he understood as a way of life.

We need to distinguish 'fear' from 'reverence'. The term 'fear', indicated by /;'"!* and its derivatives , is used to describe an attitude in an. encounter with the object feared, so that it means 'terror'. Connected with this 'fear' is the formula of encouragement ('Fear not"). This is discussed in Chapter II. But (XI and its derivatives also mean, 'reverence' which is a proper attitude to God, The term 'reverence' is used in the following, chapters. Chapter III shows the relation between the world-view: of 'reverence for God (the gods)' and Israel's, 'reverence for Xahweh'. Israel has used the world-view, of 'reverence' to. meat her special need in. her. relationship with Xahweh.

Chapter 17 further illustrates 'reverence for Xahweh as Israel's attitude to Xahweh. This proper attitude becomes Israel's way of life., which is connected with the doctrine of retribution and prescribed as the cause of material blessings.

The meaning and implication, of 'reverence for Xahweh' as Israel's way of life can be seen in the Wisdom. Literature (Chapter 7). This way of life indicates the traditional attitude of Life which is based on the doctrine of retribution. It is viewed as the reliable way of life which, brings a happy and prosperous life (Proverbs). H e.vearth el ess, this traa.it icnal. way of life has been challenged (Job) and rejected (Ecclesiastes).