Terror
In the Bible, the term "terror" is often associated with a profound sense of fear, dread, or anxiety, typically in the context of divine judgment or the consequences of sin. The Hebrew word most commonly translated as "terror" is **חָרָד** (*charad*), which conveys a sense of trembling or fear. For instance, in Psalms 55:4, the psalmist expresses, "My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me," illustrating how terror can arise in the face of mortality and distress. Moreover, terror can also represent the fear instilled by God as a form of discipline or warning. In Deuteronomy 28:65, God warns the Israelites that they will experience terror and anguish if they do not obey His commandments. This notion of terror serves as a reminder of God's power and the serious consequences of disobedience. Throughout the Scriptures, terror can be both a divine response to human sinfulness and a natural human reaction to the awesomeness of God’s presence, as seen in Exodus 20:18-20, where the Israelites trembled at the sight of God's glory on Mount Sinai. Thus, biblical references to terror reflect both a spiritual and existential reality, emphasizing the importance of reverence and obedience to God.