יָגֹר
𐤉𐤂𐤓
yâgôr
H3025 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Verb meaning 'to fear' or 'to be afraid,' denoting an emotional or psychological state of apprehension, anxiety, or concern, especially in anticipation of misfortune, danger, or hostile action. May also reflect the sense of being in awe or showing reverential fear in some constructions. Primarily used to describe fear felt towards other peoples or impending situations rather than reverential or cultic fear of deity.
Semantic Range
to fear, to be afraid (of people or situations), to be apprehensive, to dread impending hostilities
Root / Etymology
From the root גור, which fundamentally conveys the sense of 'to sojourn' or 'to dwell temporarily.' The verbal form יָגֹר (yâgôr) is related to but distinct from the noun גֵּר (gēr, 'sojourner'). The sense of 'to fear' may have developed from the insecurity or apprehension experienced by a resident alien or a sojourner. Some scholars suggest semantic development by association between living as an outsider and being fearful or cautious, but the connection is debated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָגֹר (yâgôr) appears in Biblical Hebrew as a rare verbal form primarily depicting fear of an enemy, hostile peoples, or a threatening situation (cf. e.g., Deuteronomy 2:4–5, 25). It is notably distinct in nuance from יָרֵא (yārēʼ), which conveys 'fear' often in religious contexts (fear of YHWH) or broader senses. יָגֹר is more situational, often linked to specific threats or anxieties about harm or hostility, and not prominently used for reverential or religious fear. During the monarchic and later periods, the root does not develop significantly in usage, and the verb remains rare. Standard English translations ('to fear,' 'be afraid') are generally accurate but may overlook the specific nuance of situational or anticipatory fear as opposed to enduring or reverential fear.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to fear; be afraid, fear.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גור (g-w-r) — sojourn, dwell temporarily, live as a resident alien; fear, be afraid
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1481 | גּוּר | I will sojourn |
| H1482 | גּוּר | Sojourn! |
| H1483 | גּוּר | Gur |
| H1484 | גּוֹר | his den-dwelling cubs |
| H1616 | גֵּר | in the resident-foreigner |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3025-02 |
יָגֹ֗רְתִּי | yagoreti | HVqp1cs |
I am afraid | I feared | 4 |
H3025-01 |
יָגֹ֖רְתָּ | yagoreta | HVqp2ms |
you dreaded | you feared | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3025-02 |
Deuteronomy 9:19 | יָגֹ֗רְתִּי | yagoreti | HVqp1cs |
I was afraid | I feared |
H3025-01 |
Deuteronomy 28:60 | יָגֹ֖רְתָּ | yagoreta | HVqp2ms |
you dreaded | you feared |
H3025-02 |
Psalms 119:39 | יָגֹ֑רְתִּי | yagoreti | HVqp1cs |
I dread | I feared |
H3025-02 |
Job 3:25 | יָ֝גֹ֗רְתִּי | yagoreti | HVqp1cs |
I dreaded | I feared |
H3025-02 |
Job 9:28 | יָגֹ֥רְתִּי | yagoreti | HVqp1cs |
I am afraid | I feared |