Examining the term “Fear of YHWH”

Here’s something really interesting that many have never realized before:

1 Timothy 6: 3. But if there be anyone, who teaches a different doctrine and does not agree to the foundational Words of our Master Y’shua the Mashiyach and to the doctrine of the Fear of Elohim,[*] 4. he is one that exalts himself while he knows nothing; and he languishes in the search and inquiry about words from which come envy and contention and railing and evil suspicions 5. and the constant arguing of men whose minds are corrupt and devoid of the truth, and who suppose that gain is without Elohim. But from these stand away. (AENT)

First - that term, “Fear of Elohim” - did you know that a picture of the Menorah is seen here with its seven branches? Let’s examine this from a Hebraic/Aramaic viewpoint:

Isaiah 11:2-3 “And the Spirit of YHWH shall rest upon him, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge and of the Yirah (Fear) of YHWH; And shall make him of quick understanding in the Yirah (Fear) of YHWH”….

The center is the Spirit of YHWH while the six other attributes are joined into the center pillar. These seven Spirits also signify perfection or completeness. The Fear of YHWH Elohim is a “Spirit” of YHWH; it is a vital spiritual quality for Life in Messiah!

The Fear of YHWH is a personal guide for us; Hebrew “yirah” means fear, as in fear/awesome/terrifying, contrary to the teachings that the Fear of YHWH is not really “fear” but rather, “love and respect.” (Isaiah 29:13 reveals how “the Fear of YHWH is taught by the commandment of men.”)

In other words, man’s religious theology and tradition has made void the FEAR of YHWH!

As a matter of fact, many (if not most) Greek versions suggest “reverence” over “fear”. Consequently, titles such as “Reverend” for clergymen and ministers, for instance, totally negate the term “Fear of YHWH, because they were given a theological/semantic twist to apply to their own leadership, as in the case of “reverend.”

The bottom line is:  The Fear of YHWH is noted throughout Scripture: Genesis 20:11; 42:18; Exodus 9:30; 18:21; Leviticus 25:17; Deuteronomy 10:12, and in more than a hundred other places. Without the Spirit of “the Fear” of YHWH, people will fear man, materialism, relativism and all form of idols, including their religious leaders.