All the "Fear Nots" in the Bible
I have read that there are 365 "fear nots" in the Bible, but never seen a list. Obviously a Bible search shows that this is not literally true, but I was wondering if it is possible to use some more advanced tools in Logos to search, say, for all of the uses of the lemma "to fear" with a negative sense. It is combining conditions that I am really unfamiliar with, but I would love a walk through on how to do this, please.
Using Logos as a pastor, seminary professor, and Tyndale author
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There are many ways to search for this. Here are a couple -
I have also done a study of this if you are interested. Here are my rough notes - 7271.Fear Not Study.docx
Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God
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Thanks for sharing your notes Bruce. I've had a quick run over them and found them useful and will dig further into them. I hope Justin finds them helpful too.
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I have also done a study of this if you are interested. Here are my rough notes - 7271.Fear Not Study.docx
Thank you for that link.
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the notion that there are 365 "fear nots" is a concept that is often referenced but as you noticed there are no such lists that exist of the 365 references so that right away should give you a clue that the claim is spurious. I am sure that someone would have made a calendar with each day quoting all 365 if such a list actually existed.
Here is someone who tried to research it:
http://musingsofaministerswife.com/2012/08/so-how-many-times-is-fear-not-actually-in-the-bible/
Here is the gist:
- The phrase in the intended context is only used 80+ times
- The phrase “fear not” in used in other contexts, but you wouldn’t want them to apply to you
- Other word pairings that would be equal to “fear not” (“do not be afraid”, “do not fear”, “be not afraid”) is used 30+ times
I once tried to find the source of where this claim was originally made so maybe someone could track this down so we could put this claim to rest once and for all.
The blogger in the article concludes with this:
"While it’s a great idea to think that God comforted us with “Fear not” 365 times, it’s simply just not true. However, hopefully we are at that point in our Christian walk that we don’t need to hear God say something 365 times. Once should be enough."
0 - The phrase in the intended context is only used 80+ times
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Thanks for the link.
Maybe there are not 365 "fear not" quotes, but the quotes we do have are good for 365 days a year.
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Justin, if you are asking for a way to use the more advanced tools, the answer to your problem lies in using the syntax search on Anderson-Forbes Phrase Marker Analysis. The search involves a clause divided into a CIC (clause intermediate constituent) and a segment. The CIC needs to have the "negative" box checked (under operators). The segment needs to have the Hebrew lemma yara' "to fear." and the morphology of Verb that is either Imperfect or Jussive. This search leads to 110 results, which are known in OT studies as the 'al-tira' oracles.
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Bruce, because you are interested in this topic you might want to perform a syntax search on Anderson-Forbes Phrase Marker Analysis. The search involves a clause divided into a CIC (clause intermediate constituent) and a segment. The CIC needs to have the "negative" box checked (under operators). The segment needs to have the Hebrew lemma yara' "to fear." and the morphology of Verb that is either Imperfect or Jussive. This search leads to 110 results, which are known in OT studies as the 'al-tira' oracles.
A few articles on the subject, mainly concentrating on their use in Isaiah 40-55, include: J. Begrich, “Das priesterliche Heilsorakel,” ZAW 52 (1934): 81–92; E. Conrad, “Second Isaiah and the Priestly Oracle of Salvation,” ZAW 93 (1981):234–246; idem, “The ‘Fear Not’ Oracles in Second Isaiah,” VT 34 (1984):129–152; M. Nissinen, “Fear Not: A Study on an Ancient Near Eastern Phrase,” in The Changing Face of Form Criticism for the Twenty-First Century (ed. M. Sweeney & E. Ben Zvi; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003), 122–161; M. Weippert, “Assyrische Prophetien der Zeit Asarhaddons und Assurbanipals,” in Assyrian Royal Inscriptions: New Horizons in Literary, Ideological, and Historical Analysis (ed. F. Fales; Orientis Antiqui Collectio 17; Rome: Istituto per l’Oriente, 1981), 71–115.
I have learned much from your numerous posts on the forum.
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Justin, if you are asking for a way to use the more advanced tools, the answer to your problem lies in using the syntax search on Anderson-Forbes Phrase Marker Analysis. The search involves a clause divided into a CIC (clause intermediate constituent) and a segment. The CIC needs to have the "negative" box checked (under operators). The segment needs to have the Hebrew lemma yara' "to fear." and the morphology of Verb that is either Imperfect or Jussive. This search leads to 110 results, which are known in OT studies as the 'al-tira' oracles.
Syntax Search illustration showing an example clause to be found with corresponding search:
Morph Search found 108 Imperfect (in Lexham Hebrew Bible), which includes 73 Jussive in the Qal stem:
Proximity Search can look for word lists. Personally unable to replicate 365 "Fear Not" results; found 216 verses in 1873 Authorized Version.
Keep Smiling [:)]
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It all depends on how precisely the query is defined. Taking the English "fear not" as example, we would look for imperatives, subjunctives and jussives for any verb that has the sense "to fear". But "fear not" is also a 2nd person (singular or plural). So, if you want to narrow your search accordingly, you would need to specify these search criteria. Otherwise, if you are looking for a broader fishing net, you can also use something like the picture below, where any verb with the sense "to fear" negated is searched. This would also include statements such as "they feared not". But remember that some forms of the imperative present are the same as the indicative, so there could be spots in which there are debates as to whether something is an affirmation or an exhortation. But the image below is provided as illustration of one way to do such research. Note that I used the "Added version" feature to provide English translation (since the clause search is otherwise based on the Hebrew and Greek).
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What about adding other verbs like to worry, to be anxious, to be alarmed, to be terrified, and anything else in that semantic domain? I'm thinking of verses like Phil 4:6. That would pick up a few more. (I haven't looked into the Greek words behind these English ones in detail, but in LN there do appear to be multiple Greek words for ranges of things like fear.)
Also other word parings should be included such as "have no fear"; "no fear of me should alarm you"; "you will have nothing to fear"; "banish anxiety from your heart"; "cast all your anxiety on him" (these are all NIV word order).
Still probably not up to 365 times, but getting closer.
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Bruce, because you are interested in this topic you might want to perform a syntax search on Anderson-Forbes Phrase Marker Analysis. The search involves a clause divided into a CIC (clause intermediate constituent) and a segment. The CIC needs to have the "negative" box checked (under operators). The segment needs to have the Hebrew lemma yara' "to fear." and the morphology of Verb that is either Imperfect or Jussive. This search leads to 110 results, which are known in OT studies as the 'al-tira' oracles.
A few articles on the subject, mainly concentrating on their use in Isaiah 40-55, include: J. Begrich, “Das priesterliche Heilsorakel,” ZAW 52 (1934): 81–92; E. Conrad, “Second Isaiah and the Priestly Oracle of Salvation,” ZAW 93 (1981):234–246; idem, “The ‘Fear Not’ Oracles in Second Isaiah,” VT 34 (1984):129–152; M. Nissinen, “Fear Not: A Study on an Ancient Near Eastern Phrase,” in The Changing Face of Form Criticism for the Twenty-First Century (ed. M. Sweeney & E. Ben Zvi; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003), 122–161; M. Weippert, “Assyrische Prophetien der Zeit Asarhaddons und Assurbanipals,” in Assyrian Royal Inscriptions: New Horizons in Literary, Ideological, and Historical Analysis (ed. F. Fales; Orientis Antiqui Collectio 17; Rome: Istituto per l’Oriente, 1981), 71–115.
I have learned much from your numerous posts on the forum.
Thanks Tim. I really appreciate the insight.
Syntax Search illustration showing an example clause to be found with corresponding search:
Morph Search found 108 Imperfect (in Lexham Hebrew Bible), which includes 73 Jussive in the Qal stem:
Thanks for the illustrations.
Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God
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What about adding other verbs like to worry, to be anxious, to be alarmed, to be terrified, and anything else in that semantic domain?
Yes there are many other similar words and concepts that relate to this topic. As you say, still probably not 365. Perhaps the original quote of 365 was just an expression to say "lots". [:)]
Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God
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What about adding other verbs like to worry, to be anxious, to be alarmed, to be terrified, and anything else in that semantic domain?
With enough words, found 380 verses in 1873 AV:
(afraid,anxious,careful,fear,worry,take,schism,spare) WITHIN 4 WORDS (not, don't,nothing,anything,no)
Keep Smiling [:)]
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Wondering whether addition of take, schism, and spare is really helpful in finding verses having to do with not fearing? Certainly the ones shown in the grid to the left that use those words don't really relate to the subject of interest in this thread. Not sure what you had in mind.
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Thnk you all so much for the help. It was the ability to search for jussives that I was really looking for, but all of the different perspectives are really interesting. I find the count of 365 in the NAC on 2 Chronicles 20:3-4, which cites WBC on Chronicles (pg 306), which I do not have to investigate. Tom Constable cites the same source, so I wonder if Word is the head of it.
Using Logos as a pastor, seminary professor, and Tyndale author
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The link leads to the Preachers Commentary and to the wrong page. But, here’s where the original info came from:
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The link leads to the Preachers Commentary and to the wrong page. But, here’s where the original info came from:
Bummer. I cannot find a digital copy of that anywhere online to dig into this further. Faithlife needs to get this in Logos format.
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The link leads to the Preachers Commentary and to the wrong page. But, here’s where the original info came from:
Bummer. I cannot find a digital copy of that anywhere online to dig into this further. Faithlife needs to get this in Logos format.
Thanks for hunting that down. I happen to have a $25 B&N gift card which I just used to order the print copy (which was 27). I will post here when it comes in.
Using Logos as a pastor, seminary professor, and Tyndale author
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Thanks for hunting that down. I happen to have a $25 B&N gift card which I just used to order the print copy (which was 27). I will post here when it comes in.
Thanks. You and Scott got me curious, and ended up getting me to suggest this and other Paul Tournier books for Logos/Vyrso:
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I did some more checking about the origin of this claim for 365 fear nots. I did find references to Lloyd Ogilvie making the claim back in 1987 in his book "12 steps to Living Without Fear". On page 21 he claims there "are 366 'Fear not!" verses in the Bible - one for every day of the year and an extra one for Leap Year!"
Tournier's reference that Scott found would certainly predate Oglivie's reference by a number of years so it would be interesting to see if that is the original source
Others as well have made the claim in writing John Ortberg in his book "If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat" on pages 117-118 quotes Oglivie's claim about 366 "fear nots" verses but also makes this claim:
"The single command in Scripture that occurs more often than any other—God’s most frequently repeated instruction—is formulated in two words: Fear not"
I don't know if he is basing it on the 366 or if he did his own research to back that claim. (it would be interesting what the most frequently used command is in the Bible if it is not this one)
I found that someone else claimed that the 365 claim was made in the movie 'Facing the Giants" but I have not seen the movie so I cannot vouch that source
this blogger:
http://millyjonesblog.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/365-do-not-be-afraid-verses/comment-page-1/
felt embarrassed that he had continued to perpetuate the myth of the 365 fear not verses and came up with a list of 145 verses (adding to the list verses that encourage peace in God, not to worry and not to be anxious so it is not solely "fear not" references)
Apparently somebody did write a book and has a website with a "Verse of the day" fear nots but one cannot see his entire list of 365 unless you buy the book
http://365fearnots.com/index.php/votd/
I know about Snopes and its mission to investigate urban legends. Does anybody know if there is a Christian equivalent to Snopes that vets claims like this?
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I know about Snopes and its mission to investigate urban legends. Does anybody know if there is a Christian equivalent to Snopes that vets claims like this?
Jim, if such a site existed what would happen to all the "discernment ministries" blogs and the wacked-out eschatology sites?
to all forum users: I am not trying to start a theological discussion and have purposefully not mentioned a specific blog or site that I believe would fit into these categories! Jim is one of my beloved professors and we share many theological convictions.
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Apparently somebody did write a book and has a website with a "Verse of the day" fear nots but one cannot see his entire list of 365 unless you buy the book
It looks like the classification is not very strict, e.g. Prov 23:17-18 and Ps 91:14-15.
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I know about Snopes and its mission to investigate urban legends. Does anybody know if there is a Christian equivalent to Snopes that vets claims like this?
Snopes also sometimes examines urban legends that are started and passed around by Christians, like the one about the pastor who disguised himself as a homeless man, or the one about the unburned Bible found among the charred wreckage of the Pentagon from the 9/11 attack, or the claim that an archaeologist discovered Pharaoh's chariot and the bones of horses and men in the Red Sea, or the claim that NASA scientists discovered a "missing" day in time that corresponds to Biblical accounts of the sun's standing still in the sky.
Jayson Bradley (former Logos employee and popular blogger, listed as one of "25 Christian Blogs You Should Be Reading (2014 Readers’ Choice)") wrote this excellent post about Christians' propensity to be gullible and taken in by these sorts of stories and why it behooves us to do our homework and research them before passing them on:
http://jaysondbradley.com/2013/07/29/4-reasons-christians-need-to-quit-sharing-hoaxes/
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Perhaps we should call them "Dreadnaughts" then we could have a flotilla. [:D]
george
gfsomselיְמֵי־שְׁנוֹתֵינוּ בָהֶם שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה וְאִם בִּגְבוּרֹת שְׁמוֹנִים שָׁנָה וְרָהְבָּם עָמָל וָאָוֶן
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Maybe we should call them "Dreadlocks". Poor Christian in Pilgrim's Progress would have good reason to dread locks:
It's my favorite phrase from Pilgrim's Progress. It's often "cleaned up" a bit in modern expurgated versions, but the original was quite spicy.
Lest you think I've gotten too far afield from the original subject of this thread, there are a few "fear nots" in Pilgrim's Progress:
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Thanks for hunting that down. I happen to have a $25 B&N gift card which I just used to order the print copy (which was 27). I will post here when it comes in.
Didn’t get next day delivery, huh? [;)]
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I don't have anything to say about the meme of 365 'Fear Not's, but you can work on your own list by starting with a Sense search for "<Sense to worry>", which includes the subordinate verbal senses of "to fear" and "to fret" (also "to fear ⇔ melt", but that sense is not currently annotated in the canonical Bible texts). That provides 160 hits in the ESV.
"<Sense to fear (dread)>" provides 135 verses, and also includes "to dread" and "to panic".
"<Sense to frighten>" provides 43 verses, and includes "to alarm", "to intimidate", "to terrify", and others.
Of course, this isn't the same as the original question:
- these aren't all verses that negate the emotion of fear
- these are only verbal senses
- these aren't just the verses that express commands
So it's just a start. But i wanted to illustrate how the Sense Lexicon supports this kind of search.
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So it's just a start. But i wanted to illustrate how the Sense Lexicon supports this kind of search.
Thanks for that idea. Is there a way to see what all is included in the "umbrella" senses? I did use the interlinear to reverse look up some of the sense designations, and produced this query: "<Sense to fear> OR <Sense fearfulness> OR <Sense to fear (dread)> OR <Sense fearful expectation> OR <Sense to panic> OR <Sense fear> OR <Sense to frighten> OR <Sense to be appalled (fear)>" But I am not sure how to tell what is redundant, except for trial and error, or to identify other candidate words.
Also, I saved this as a passage list. Is there an easy way to combine the passage lists from the different methods mentioned here? <Edit: I see the merge feature now, including how both Union and Intersection are available. That is very useful. I combined a passage list of all of the polarity:negative passages in the NT and OT and then did an intersection with my list of all passages about fear. There are still a few false positives (Genesis 18:15, for example), but the list mostly looks good. 250 passages.>
This little exercise is certainly opening up Logos for me, as I see how to do different kids of searches against the passage list I have already produced. It is really neat. Is there anyone who does demos on questions like this to demonstrate how Logos works? I think I may make one to demo this question, but I would love to watch others. I think labs are a great way to learn.
Using Logos as a pastor, seminary professor, and Tyndale author
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[Y] This exercise is worth highlighting in tutorials or user guides.
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Thanks for that idea. Is there a way to see what all is included in the "umbrella" senses? I did use the interlinear to reverse look up some of the sense designations, and produced this query: "<Sense to fear> OR <Sense fearfulness> OR <Sense to fear (dread)> OR <Sense fearful expectation> OR <Sense to panic> OR <Sense fear> OR <Sense to frighten> OR <Sense to be appalled (fear)>" But I am not sure how to tell what is redundant, except for trial and error, or to identify other candidate words.
In the easy cases, different senses are categorized under each other as more or less specific versions of 'the same' type (in technical parlance, they're hyponyms). So the graph for "to worry" (here in the Bible Sense Lexicon) shows three more specific senses: "to fear", "to fear ⇔ melt", and "to fret".
However, there are other sense relationships than hypernym/hyponym, and they're not all labeled in our data. For example "afraid" is the state (linguistically an adjective) resulting from fear, but there's nothing in the BSL currently that links "afraid" to "to fear". The BSL does shows that "terrified" has a 'similar' relationship to "afraid", but doesn't show the more distant relationship to "fearfulness".
So the best way to find those relationships is to just look up different terms that you know are related, and to also look at the explicit relationships that the BSL displays. Just looking at the alternatives in the drop-down menu for the string "fear" is suggestive of the variety that's represented here.
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