Bible Dictionary
TERRIBLE, TERROR
Terrible or terror describes whatever inspires dread because of greatness, power, cruelty, holiness, or judgment. God is terrible in His majesty and justice, while enemies and persecuting powers may also be described as terrifying; reverent fear before Christ includes awareness that He is Judge.
Definition
Terrible and terror describe what inspires dread because of a frightening appearance, greatness, power, cruelty, holiness, or judgment. The terms may describe human enemies and oppressive powers, but they are especially applied to God’s majesty, holiness, justice, covenant faithfulness, and fearful judgments.
Biblical Usage
God is called terrible because of his awful greatness, infinite power, inscrutable dealings, perfect holiness, covenant faithfulness, strict justice, and judgments. Enemies of God and his people may also be terrible. “The terror of the Lord” refers to reverent fear arising from the knowledge that Christ is Judge.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ter'-i-b'l, ter'-er (yare', "to be feared," "reverenced," arits, "powerful," "tyrannical," 'ayom, "aweinspiring," chittith "terror," ballahah, "a worn-out or wasted thing," 'emah, "fright"; phoberos, "dreadful," phobos, "fear"): The above terms, and many others which employed, denote whatever, by horrible aspect, or by greatness, power, or cruelty, affrights men (De 1:19; 26:8; Da 2:31). God is terrible by reason of His awful greatness, His infinite power, His inscrutable dealings, His perfect holiness, His covenant faithfulness, His strict justice and fearful judgments (Ex 34:10; De 7:21; Ne 9:32; Job 6:4; 37:22; Ps 65:5; 88:15 f; Joe 2:11; Ze 2:11; Heb 12:21). The term is also applied to the enemies of God and of His people (Isa 13:11; 25:3 ff; 49:25; Da 7:7; 1Pe 3:14). "The terror (the Revised Version (British and American) "fear") of the Lord" (2Co 5:11) denotes the reverence or fear inspired by the thought that Christ is judge (2Co 5:10).</p><p>M. O. Evans</p>