"has an active form, φοβέω (G5828), but only occurs as a passive (deponent) in our literature, to fear, dread, Mt. 10:26; 14:5; to fear reverentially, to reverence, Mk. 6:20; Lk. 1:50; Acts 10:2; Eph. 5:33; Rev. 11:18; to be afraid to do a thing, Mt. 2:22; Mk. 9:32; to be reluctan..."
Definition and meaning
has an active form, φοβέω (G5828), but only occurs as a passive (deponent) in our literature, to fear, dread, Mt. 10:26; 14:5; to fear reverentially, to reverence, Mk. 6:20; Lk. 1:50; Acts 10:2; Eph. 5:33; Rev. 11:18; to be afraid to do a thing, Mt. 2:22; Mk. 9:32; to be reluctant, to scruple, Mt. 1:20; to fear, be apprehensive, Acts 27:17; 2 Cor. 11:3; 12:20; to be fearfully anxious, Heb. 4:1; absol. to be fearful, afraid, alarmed, Mt. 14:27; 17:6, 7; Mk. 16:8; to be fearfully impressed, Rom. 11:20
In the original Greek the word is written: φοβέομαι
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of phobeomai (G5399) across the King James Bible.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
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Common questions
Strong's G5399 (phobeomai) is a Greek word that means: has an active form, φοβέω (G5828), but only occurs as a passive (deponent) in our literature, to fear, dread, Mt. 10:26; 14:5; to fear reverentially, to reverence, Mk. 6:20; Lk. 1:50; Acts 10:2; Eph. ... It appears 90 times in the King James Bible.
The word phobeomai (G5399) appears 90 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5399 is phobeomai, a Greek word defined as: has an active form, φοβέω (G5828), but only occurs as a passive (deponent) in our literature, to fear, dread, Mt. 10:26; 14:5; to fear reverentially, . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
phobeomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.