What does it really mean when the Bible says, "Fear the Lord"?
As always, Scripture is precise, and you will understand clearly through these verses:
Proverbs 8:13
King James Version
13 The fear of the Lord
is to hate evil:
pride,
and arrogancy,
and the evil way,
and the froward mouth,
do I hate.
Deuteronomy 10:12 (KJV)
12 And now, Israel,
what doth the Lord thy God require of thee,
but to fear the Lord thy God,
to walk in all his ways,
and to love him,
and to serve the Lord thy God
with all thy heart
and with all thy soul,
Deuteronomy 13:4 (KJV)
4 Ye shall walk after the Lord
your God,
and fear him,
and keep his commandments,
and obey his voice,
and ye shall serve him,
and cleave unto him.
Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)
7 The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge:
but fools despise wisdom
and instruction.
Proverbs 2:5 (KJV)
5 Then shalt thou understand
the fear of the Lord,
and find the knowledge
of God.
Proverbs 3:7 (KJV)
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes:
fear the Lord,
and depart from evil.
Proverbs 10:27 (KJV)
27 The fear of the Lord
prolongeth days:
but the years of the wicked
shall be shortened.
Proverbs 14:26 (KJV)
26 In the fear of the Lord
is strong confidence:
and his children shall have
a place of refuge.
Proverbs 14:27 (KJV)
27 The fear of the Lord
is a fountain of life,
to depart from the snares
of death.
Proverbs 19:23 (KJV)
23 The fear of the Lord
tendeth to life:
and he that hath it
shall abide satisfied;
he shall not be visited
with evil.
Proverbs 23:17 (KJV)
17 Let not thine heart envy sinners:
but be thou in the fear of the Lord
all the day long.
Job 28:28 (KJV)
28 And unto man he said,
Behold,
the fear of the Lord,
that is wisdom;
and to depart from evil
is understanding.
Psalm 19:9 (KJV)
9 The fear of the Lord
is clean,
enduring for ever:
the judgments of the Lord
are true and righteous
altogether.
Psalm 25:14 (KJV)
14 The secret of the Lord
is with them that fear him;
and he will shew them
his covenant.
Psalm 33:8 (KJV)
8 Let all the earth
fear the Lord:
let all the inhabitants of the world
stand in awe
of him.
Psalm 34:7 (KJV)
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth
round about them that fear him,
and delivereth them.
Psalm 86:11 (KJV)
11 Teach me thy way,
O Lord;
I will walk in thy truth:
unite my heart to fear
thy name.
Psalm 112:1 (KJV)
112 Praise ye the Lord.
Blessed is the man
that feareth the Lord,
that delighteth greatly
in his commandments.
Isaiah 33:6 (KJV)
6 And wisdom and knowledge
shall be the stability
of thy times,
and strength of salvation:
the fear of the Lord
is his treasure.
Luke 1:50 (KJV)
50 And his mercy
is on them that fear him
from generation to generation.
James 2:19 (KJV)
19 Thou believest
that there is one God;
thou doest well:
the devils also believe,
and tremble.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)
13 Let us hear the conclusion
of the whole matter:
Fear God,
and keep his commandments:
for this is the whole duty
of man.
Updated 22 January 2022
