The concept of terror is peppered throughout the Bible, as God’s actions and the realities faced by His people often invoke both awe and fear. Terror can be seen as a reverence for God’s immense power or as a reaction to the overwhelming circumstances faced by His people. The scripture provides insight into how both divine and earthly terrors play a role in shaping faith, obedience, and understanding of God’s ultimate sovereignty. Here are Bible verses that reflect the theme of terrifying events and perceptions.
Bible Verses about Terrifying
1. Genesis 3:10 – The Fright of Disobedience
“He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’” – Genesis 3:10
Cross-References
Genesis 2:25 – “Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”
Genesis 3:8 – “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”
Genesis 3:11 – “And he said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?’”
2. Exodus 20:18 – The Terrifying Presence of God
“When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance.” – Exodus 20:18
Cross-References
Exodus 19:16 – “On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled.”
Hebrews 12:18-21 – “You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm…”
Deuteronomy 5:5 – “At that time I stood between the Lord and you to declare to you the word of the Lord, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.”
3. Deuteronomy 1:29 – The Fear of Giants
“Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them.’” – Deuteronomy 1:29
Cross-References
Numbers 13:31-33 – “But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.’”
1 Samuel 17:11 – “On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.”
Deuteronomy 7:21 – “Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.”
4. Judges 7:3 – The Fearful and Trembling
“Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.” – Judges 7:3
Cross-References
Deuteronomy 20:8 – “Then the officers shall add, ‘Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his fellow soldiers will not become disheartened too.’”
1 Samuel 14:15 – “Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.”
Judges 6:34 – “Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.”
5. 2 Chronicles 20:15 – The Threat of Battle
“He said: ‘Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’” – 2 Chronicles 20:15
Cross-References
Exodus 14:14 – “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
6. Psalm 91:5 – Night Terrors
“You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” – Psalm 91:5
Cross-References
Proverbs 3:24 – “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
Isaiah 54:14 – “In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you.”
7. Isaiah 33:14 – The Sinners’ Fear
“The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: ‘Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?’” – Isaiah 33:14
Cross-References
Isaiah 10:17 – “The Light of Israel will become a fire, their Holy One a flame; in a single day it will burn and consume his thorns and his briers.”
Revelation 6:15-17 – “Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.”
Hebrews 12:29 – “For our ‘God is a consuming fire.’”
8. Jeremiah 2:19 – Fear as a Consequence of Sin
“Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me,’ declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.” – Jeremiah 2:19
Cross-References
Proverbs 1:31 – “They will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.”
Hosea 4:1 – “Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: ‘There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.’”
Romans 1:28 – “Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.”
9. Ezekiel 30:18 – Day of Terror
“Dark will be the day at Tahpanhes when I break the yoke of Egypt; there her proud strength will come to an end. She will be covered with clouds, and her villages will go into captivity.” – Ezekiel 30:18
Cross-References
Ezekiel 30:3 – “For the day is near, the day of the Lord is near—a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.”
Jeremiah 46:25 – “The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes, on Pharaoh, on Egypt and her gods and her kings and on those who rely on Pharaoh.’”
Isaiah 19:1 – “A prophecy against Egypt: See, the Lord rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt with fear.”
10. Daniel 5:6 – A Terrifying Vision
“His face turned pale, and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.” – Daniel 5:6
Cross-References
Daniel 4:5 – “I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me.”
Exodus 34:29-30 – “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.”
Habakkuk 3:16 – “I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.”
11. Mark 4:41 – The Disciples’ Fear
“They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’” – Mark 4:41
Cross-References
Matthew 14:26 – “When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.”
Matthew 8:27 – “The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’”
John 6:19 – “When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened.”
12. Luke 2:9 – The Shepherds’ Fear
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” – Luke 2:9
Cross-References
Luke 1:12 – “When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.”
Acts 12:7 – “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”
13. John 20:19 – Fear Behind Locked Doors
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’” – John 20:19
Cross-References
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Acts 2:1-2 – “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.”
Revelation 1:17 – “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.’”
14. Acts 9:6 – Fear of the Divine Encounter
“‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.” – Acts 9:6
Cross-References
Acts 22:10 – “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus.’ There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.”
Acts 26:16 – “‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.’”
Mark 9:6 – “He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.”
15. Romans 13:3 – The Terrifying Authority
“For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.” – Romans 13:3
Cross-References
1 Peter 2:14 – “Or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.”
Titus 3:1 – “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.”
1 Timothy 1:9 – “We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,”
16. 1 Corinthians 2:3 – The Fear Within Ministry
“I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.” – 1 Corinthians 2:3
Cross-References
Ephesians 6:5 – “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.”
Philippians 2:12 – “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,”
2 Corinthians 7:15 – “And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling.”
17. 2 Corinthians 5:11 – Knowing the Terror
“Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.” – 2 Corinthians 5:11
Cross-References
Job 28:28 – “And he said to the human race, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'”
Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
18. Philippians 1:14 – Overcoming Fear
“And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.” – Philippians 1:14
Cross-References
2 Timothy 1:7 – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
Ephesians 6:19 – “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,”
Acts 4:31 – “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
19. Hebrews 10:31 – A Fearsome Prospect
“It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” – Hebrews 10:31
Cross-References
Matthew 10:28 – “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Luke 12:5 – “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”
20. James 2:19 – The Trembling of Belief
“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” – James 2:19
Cross-References
Mark 1:24 – “‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!'”
Luke 4:34 – “‘Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’”
Acts 19:15 – “One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?’”
21. Revelation 6:15-16 – The Fear of Judgment
“Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!’” – Revelation 6:15-16
Cross-References
Isaiah 2:19 – “People will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.”
Isaiah 13:13 – “Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the Lord Almighty, in the day of his burning anger.”
Hosea 10:8 – “The high places of wickedness will be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel. Thorns and thistles will grow up and cover their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Cover us!’ and to the hills, ‘Fall on us!’”
22. Numbers 16:34 – The Spectacle of Judgment
“At their cries, all the Israelites who were around them fled, shouting, ‘The earth is going to swallow us too!’” – Numbers 16:34
Cross-References
Genesis 19:28 – “He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace.”
Acts 5:5 – “When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.”
Order your men to fall back – “However, when they saw the serpent’s head twisted, they turned and ran in terror. The champs were blown back by the noise.”
23. Revelation 11:11 – The Dread of Resurrection
“But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them.” – Revelation 11:11
Cross-References
Ezekiel 37:10 – “So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.”
Matthew 28:4 – “The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.”
John 20:31 – “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
24. Joshua 2:11 – The Fear of the Unknown
“When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” – Joshua 2:11
Cross-References
Joshua 5:1 – “Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.”
Exodus 15:15 – “The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away;”
Psalms 46:2 – “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,”
25. Psalm 23:4 – Comfort Amidst Terror
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
Cross-References
Isaiah 43:2 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Hebrews 13:6 – “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'”
Psalms 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
26. 1 Kings 19:3 – The Fear of the Enemy
“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,” – 1 Kings 19:3
Cross-References
2 Kings 6:15 – “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked.”
Jonah 1:3 – “But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.”
Matthew 10:26 – “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.”
27. Job 4:14 – The Terrifying Presence
“Fear and trembling seized me and made all my bones shake.” – Job 4:14
Cross-References
Psalm 55:5 – “Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.”
Daniel 10:7 – “I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves.”
Amos 5:19 – “It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him.”
28. Matthew 8:26 – Calming the Storm
“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” – Matthew 8:26
Cross-References
Matthew 14:27 – “But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.'”
Mark 4:39 – “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
Psalm 107:29 – “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”
29. Habakkuk 3:2 – Awe of God’s Deeds
“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” – Habakkuk 3:2
Cross-References
Psalms 44:1 – “We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.”
Isaiah 64:3 – “For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.”
Psalms 85:6 – “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”
30. 1 Peter 5:8 – The Devil’s Prowl
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
Cross-References
James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Ephesians 4:27 – “And do not give the devil a foothold.”
Ephesians 6:11 – “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
31. Lamentations 3:47 – Overwhelmed by Fear
“We have suffered terror and pitfalls, ruin and destruction.” – Lamentations 3:47
Cross-References
Lamentations 1:1 – “How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave.”
Jeremiah 48:43 – “Terror and pit and snare await you, you people of Moab,” declares the Lord.”
Lamentations 5:5 – “Those who pursue us are at our heels; we are weary and find no rest.”
32. 2 Samuel 22:7 – Crying Out Amidst Terror
“In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.” – 2 Samuel 22:7
Cross-References
Psalms 18:6 – “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”
Psalms 120:1 – “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.”
Jonah 2:2 – “He said: ‘In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.'”
While you’re here, why not explore our latest article on: Bible verses about Chaos
Final Thoughts
The theme of terror is multifaceted in the Bible, illustrating the profound effects of divine encounters, the dread of judgment, and the multifaceted emotions faced by believers and non-believers alike. Fear, within the Scriptures, often marks the beginning of wisdom and reverence for God, as well as prompting faith-driven courage amidst trials. While many instances of terror described in the Bible depict overwhelming dread, they also illustrate God’s power, His justice, and the transformative potential of faith. Saints, prophets, and common folk alike often confront such terrors with appeals to God’s mercy, wisdom, and protection, driving home the resilient faith that overcomes fear.
Ultimately, the Bible highlights the importance of recognizing God’s sovereignty and finding refuge in His promises. Understanding these dynamics allows believers to grasp the concept of godly fear and awe, which refines obedience, sharpens faith, and encourages trust in the divine plan in all circumstances of life. Such reflections offer profound hope, guiding hearts toward eternal peace and holy reverence amidst the realities of earthly and spiritual terrors.