פַּלָּצוּת
𐤐𐤋𐤑𐤅𐤕
pallâtsûwth
H6427 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or feeling of intense terror, dread, or horror, typically brought on by overwhelming fear in response to dire events or supernatural phenomena. The term denotes a psychological and physical response of being deeply terrified, sometimes accompanied by trembling.
Semantic Range
terror, horror, paralyzing fear, trembling with dread, overwhelming panic
Root / Etymology
From the root פָּלַץ (palats), meaning 'to tremble violently, be terrified.' פַּלָּצוּת (pallātsûth) is a feminine noun formation, referring to the quality or state resulting from such trembling or terror.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פַּלָּצוּת appears in poetic and prophetic literature (e.g., Job 21:6; Psalm 55:6; Isaiah 21:4; Ezekiel 7:18; Habakkuk 3:7) to describe overwhelming fear or terror, often as a response to perceived divine judgment, sudden calamity, or hostile attack. In the patriarchal period, experiences of pallātsûth are attributed to direct encounters with divine awe or judgment (cf. Job). In the monarchic and later prophetic periods, the term is used to characterize panic in the face of catastrophic events, such as war, siege, or theophany. English translations as 'horror,' 'fearfulness,' or 'terror' capture the emotional intensity but can obscure the term's physical dimension of shaking or quaking. The word is distinct from other Hebrew terms for fear (e.g. יִרְאָה 'awe-based fear,' פַּחַד 'dread') by emphasizing the paralyzing or debilitating effect of terror. Usage is primarily poetic and not found in ordinary narrative or legal texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from פָּלַץ; affright; fearfulness, horror, trembling.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פּלץ (p-l-ṣ) — to tremble, quake, be terrified
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6426 | פָּלַץ | they will shudder |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6427-01 |
פַּלָּצ֖וּת | palatsut | HNcfsa |
horror | trembling terror | 4 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6427-01 |
Isaiah 21:4 | פַּלָּצ֖וּת | palatsut | HNcfsa |
horror | trembling terror |
H6427-01 |
Ezekiel 7:18 | פַּלָּצ֑וּת | palatsut | HNcfsa |
horror | trembling terror |
H6427-01 |
Psalms 55:6 | פַּלָּצֽוּת | palatsut | HNcfsa |
horror | trembling terror |
H6427-01 |
Job 21:6 | פַּלָּצֽוּת | palatsut | HNcfsa |
terror | trembling terror |