What Does FEAR the LORD Really Mean?

 

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