So why trust a book where the words are given new definitions unrelated to their original meaning?

Question

Checking the definition for "fear", I find no basis for believing it means "respect" -except- when it comes to "fear of God".

"Fear", as it pertains to God, has no relationship with "Fear" as it pertains to -every- other definition of the word.

Isn't this a matter of convenience, to avoid the idea that a loving God should be feared? Every other definition describes "Fear" as an emotional response to danger.

If the translators of the KJV had intended "fear" to be understood as "respect, reverence", then why not say so plainly, rather than inventing a new definition for the word that has no bearing on all other definitions for that word?

And what other words fit this description? What other words are used where the definition as it pertains to God has no relationship with all other definitions for these words as it pertains to our daily lives?

Why place faith in a book that uses common words whose unique definitions have no relationship with their common definitions?

Answer 1

"The original Hebrew word is 'pachad', which always indicates a terrified dread." This website has a great explanation of this common confusion about the word. http://home.nyc.rr.com/mysticalrose/fear.html Hey, even I have struggled with it, but if you just think about the language used to write the Bible, you will understand that the writers of the KJV did not manipulate the original word.

Answer 2

That is a good point and I would have to agree. Except, when I look up the word fear in the dictionary, it does give a definition of "respect". Though, it does not define what type of respect it is talking about. So, one would have to assume it's the same type of respect people would give a Mob boss or the GodFather (fitting name, IMO).

As for the KJV using "fear" in that manner... you are talking about a king who was trying to establish that God placed ALL rulers on their "thrones"... and therefore causing a break with the Church that claimed only They had such authority. These types of things come about due to culture and who is doing it and why. King James, after writing a book on Demonology (which was such a poorly written book that it never made it into the theological circles), had translators to "write" the Bible for him. Such as the verse "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live"... the actual word there was closer to "poisoner" than "witch" (though I'm sure, with the Middle Ages mindset most Religious people have, they will say it's the same thing). King James was terrified of "witches"... yet there's absolutely no proof that there was EVER anything to fear.

I can't place faith in a book.... ANY book. People who do so place a lot of faith in the people who gave them that book.

Answer 3

It's not that incredibly difficult to go to the bookstore and purchase a Bible with study notes explaining original context and language. It does involve some effort, but… I'm guessing that's not the answer you were looking for. There are also teachers and preachers that spend their whole lives studying the original text, society, and language that scriptures were written in. If you're not willing to do the extra leg work, you're really not all that interested in truly learning.

In almost every case, the original meaning is very close to the translated. One or two words don't change the overall message. To state otherwise is incredibly ignorant of how books and historical stories work.

Answer 4

You found fear can mean respect of God. This is what we have been saying. Did you use an English dictionary, or look up the Greek word? this would be the best way.
I had heard that the KJ translators were under pressure and may not have been as accurate as maybe they could have been. But I am not saying that the Word was incorrect from God. He gave it perfectly.

Answer 5

There are two words in the Greek that are translated as "fear"... "phobeo" and "phobos".

"Phobos" means fear in the sense of terror. To be outright afraid (for example : my fear of spiders. I scream and run away).

"Phobeo" means to create fear-inspiring awe. To revere with the understanding of the power that person has (for example : I, as a child, feared my grandparents. I loved them greatly, but I knew full well how disappointed they'd be in me if I failed my schoolwork, and I did not want that to happen).

Now, let's travel back to the late 1500's. Both definitions of "fear" were commonly accepted definitions. It was as plain as day to them, the difference between fear (being terrified) and fear (respectful awe). They feared the wicked baron, and feared the good king, but that fear was in different ways.

It's the same way as if I asked you to "run to the store for me". Do I truly mean I want you to sprint a couple miles down the road? No, I mean I want you to go there by whatever means of transportation is available to you. Yet, both definitions are common definitions now, however, I can almost assure you that in 500 years, run will no longer mean "go by whatever mode of transportation is available".

...I take it you read very little literature that has Pre-Modern, Renassaince, Middle, or Old English? If you did, you would understand this simple concept that the definitions of words become broader or simpler over time.

Answer 6

The more someone tries to change the word of the bible into what they call " easier to understand:" the more the bible becomes the word of man and less the word of God. God will open up all those words that you can't understand if you ask Him to.

The more you study it, the more He will open it up to you and you will have no problem at all with the original words and ther meanings. I once used a NIV bible. I am back into the KJV bible and would not trade it for anything. Praise the Lord!!

Answer 7

As pointed out in Dictionary.com, there is more than one definition for the word.

You been attacking the 'God of Love' statement since last night.
I'm not trying to start a fight here, I just want you to consider his other attributes.
I'm not listing the verses now, but His attributes are Love, Wisdom, Power and Justice.

It seems you have a problem when he delivers justice using what power He chooses. It's like you think he loses his quality of love.

Am I right in seeing that in your questions?

Answer 8

As you mention in your last question. We place faith in the Bible which is the book of faith. Faith and truth are two different things. God is a faith based religion. You can pick many holes in the Bible and the religion but in the end you must have faith to make progress.

Answer 9

American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language:

fear - defintion #3 - "Extreme reverence or awe, as toward a supreme power"

Answer 10

love, do you see love? do you fear of something? if you did something bad, u think something will happen to you in return? not only in books that sometimes we understood things in life. You don't have to trust the book, it was written to understand in your own perception, there are different interpretations of the book. It is guide, support to our daily life.