[Greek] ἔκφοβος (ekphobos), [Latin] exterritus: terrified, full of fear, frightened, out of one’s wits, stricken with fear; Mk.9:6, Heb.12:21
Transfiguration: painting by Giovanni Battista Paggi (1596)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: Plutarch’s Fabius Maximus 6 states “All Hannibal’s men were disheartened and fearful, thinking that they were surrounded on all sides by difficulties from which there was no escape. Hannibal gave orders to fasten torches on the horns of 2000 cattle. It was a fearful spectacle to the Roman guarding the passes. They were great in commotion and fear, believing that the enemy were advancing upon them from all quarters and surrounding them on every side.” Thucydides The Peloponnesian War 2.87 states “For fear takes away presence of mind, and without valor art is useless.”
Old Testament: This term means to fear, being afraid, fearing, trembling, and being fearful of someone (or something). For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure from which the Lord was wrathful against in order to destroy you (Deut.9:19). He will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt of which you were afraid (Deut.28:60). For what I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me (Job 3:25). I am afraid of all my pains (Job 9:28). Turn away my reproach which I dread (Psa.119:39).
New Testament: This term means to be terrified and being very frightened. Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. They become terrified when Jesus later becomes transfigured, with clothes becoming like dazzling white clothes. The people are warned, for fear of death, of not to approaching the mountain where God had made His presence known. Mt. Sinai was sacred ground to God. Moses was fearful, terrified and trembling from this spectacle. Moses also afraid of the Lord’s anger and displeasure against the worship of the golden calf.
Scripture:
“He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.” Mk.9:6
They were terrified of Jesus’ Transfiguration.
“Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said, ‘I am terrified and trembling.’” Heb.12:21
Mt. Sinai was considered sacred ground to God. Moses was fearful of God’s anger against the worship of the gold calf.
Conclusion:
Phobia, terrible, terror
I can only imagine that the image of a stampede of torches (on cattle horns) would evoke a very fearful image in the Roman soldiers’ minds. It also can be rightly said, that fear could undermine military training and discipline.
In the Old Testament, the fear of God can be seen in both a positive and negative sense. Moses was fearful of God’s wrath against the worship of the golden calf. On the other hand, the Hebrews had to remain clear of God’s presence on Mt. Sinai. Otherwise, they would die when upon entering His domain.
In the New Testament, Peter, James, and John all were terrified by Jesus’ Transfiguration. Jesus’s clothes become dazzlingly white. Then a voice calls out from heaven saying, ‘This is My beloved Son.’ This is also another reason for someone to be afraid.
Update: Many of us are very terrified with what is happening to our country with this new administration’s disastrous policies!
Well, I am afraid that I will have to now end this post.