Awe

Awe - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

AWE, n. aw. [Gr. to be astonished.]

1. Fear mingled with admiration or reverence; reverential fear.

Stand in awe and sin not. Psa 4.

2. Fear; dread inspired by something great, or terrific.

AWE, v.t. To strike with fear and reverence; to influence by fear, terror or respect; as, his majesty awed them into silence.

o: Fear mingled with reverence and wonder, a state of mind inspired by something terrible or sublime.

In the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) it occurs in Ps 4:4: "Stand in awe, and sin not" (where the Revised Version, margin has, "Be ye angry," so Septuagint; compare Eph 4:26); Ps 33:8; 119:161. In the following passages the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "stand in awe" for the King James Version "fear": Ps 22:23 phoboumenoi;

Isa 29:23; 1Sa 18:15; Mal 2:5; and in Heb 12:28 it substitutes "awe" for the King James Version "reverence" (deos here only in New Testament). In all these passages, except 1Sa 18:15 (eulabeito, where it describes Saul's feeling toward David), the word stands for man's attitude of reverential fear toward God. This is the characteristic attitude of the pious soul toward God in the Scriptures, especially in the Old Testament. It arises from a consciousness of the infinite power, sublimity and holiness of God, which fills the mind with the "fear of the Lord," and a dread of violating His law. See FEAR.

D. Miall Edwards

Definition

The term “awe” refers to the sense of amazement and deep respect that comes from seeing something great, powerful, and magnificent.

• The term “awesome” describes someone or something that inspires a feeling of awe.
• The visions of the glory of God seen by the prophet Ezekiel were “awesome” or “awe-inspiring.”
• Typical human responses showing awe of God’s presence include: fear, bowing or kneeling down, covering the face, and trembling.

(See also: fear, glory)

Bible References

• 1 Chronicles 17:21
• Genesis 28:16-17
• Hebrews 12:28
• Psalm 22:23
• Psalms 147:4-5

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0366, H1481, H3372, H6206, H7227, G21240