I have heard for years that there are 365 “fear not’s” in the bible, one for every day of the week. What a comfort to believe that there is one for every day of the week. And yet, one “fear not” from Jesus is enough, right?
Well, I hate to rain on anyone’s parade, but I have dug and hunted and I can not even find 100 “fear not’s.”
- King James Version: 74 – fear not; 29 – be not afraid
- New American Standard Bible: 4 – fear not; 57 – do not fear; 46 – do not be afraid
This information is not earth shaking. It’s just a cute saying that is wrong and way off. Don’t let it shake your faith, just Fear Not!
At the very best the word for Fear, in all of it’s forms, is only listed 314 times in the original languages which includes words that have been translated into words such as terrible, dreadful, reverence, and terrible acts. As for the different translations blueletterbible.com also list the following:
NKJV 129, NIV 66, NASB 127, ASV 148, DBY 155, HNV 44, NLT 38, ESV 137, RSV 139, YNG 115, WEB 144
The fact is, it would be just as true if it were listed only one time in scripture.
When God said, “let there be light,” He only had to say it one time for it to happen. It does not have to be listed 365 times.
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I’m doing the same research now because I’ve heard the 365 so often in books and preached – even without the magic number the Bible has a lot to say about worry, fear and being anxious. I’m working on a booklet “How Big is Your But?” and will tell people how to have the peace that overcomes it (through thankfulness) and how to choose to be thankful in every circumstance. Glad I came across your blog.
i hope i will find the exact scriptures
I would love to get a copy of this when you are finished
This is my most popular blog. Let me know when you finish your booklet and I would be happy to promote it on this blog.
don’t sway people’s thoughts by this lie.
Thank you. Rather than accuse me and others of lying, just take some time and prove that we are lying. If you do not nor can not, then your statement will make you look very foolish with several thousand hits on this blog alone every month from around the world.
I’m also searching for fear nots, fear thou nots, be not afraid, and any such, yet I’m yet to get up to 100. Please, let the verses that contain the 365 fear nots be made known.
I agree that just one FEAR NOT from God settles each day’s fears.
I have found 203 fear nots
Can you send me your list of scriptures. I don’t need it to prove any phrase right or wrong. I’m actually just doing a study on my own on fear. Thank you! dlguyer at msn dot com.
i am doing a devotion for school and i decided my topic is fear not. this has been helpful because i am going to start out by saying how many different times God says fear not in the bible. so thank you.
I just listened to a sermon this a.m. where the 365 biblical refences to “fear not” was mentioned. I found this site to be helpful, along with others, that reveal to me that the “365″ number is exaggerated. Thank you for your clarity.
Thank you for clarifying this topic as I heard just this morning reference to there being 365 comments in the Bible pertaining to being not afraid. Hmm.
The bible says that we should not fear many times without using the words “do not be afraid” or do not fear. This makes the number a lot closer to the 365. Although what the exact number is, I do not know. Also remember that different versions of the Bible will phrase things differently. Phrases like “Do not be troubled” or “Let your heart not be troubled” could be interpreted as do not fear.
For you to make the claim of being a lot closer to 365 times came because you counted them? At the very best the word for Fear, in all of it’s forms, is only listed 314 times in the original languages which includes words that have been translated into words such as terrible, dreadful, reverence, and terrible acts. As for the different translations blueletterbible.com also list the following:
NKJV 129, NIV 66, NASB 127, ASV 148, DBY 155, HNV 44, NLT 38, ESV 137, RSV 139, YNG 115, WEB 144
The fact is, it would be just as true if it were listed only one time in scripture. When God said, “let there be light,” He only had to say it one time for it to happen. It does not have to be listed 365 times.
At the same time, for us to make a claim that fear not in any form is found 365 times is not a legitamate claim if we can not count them. God’s word does not need our help to be made great with stories that can not be backed up. Things like this put us into the mold that Hollywood paints of Christians, superstitious with our heads in the clouds. Thank you for attempting to explain the fact for 365. I will accept it if you will send me a list. Keep in mind that this claim has been around a very long time. Therefore, the claim must have come from the KJV. I’ll be waiting for your list or maybe there is someone on the net that has put a list together.
According to the movie “Facing the Giants” it is somewhere close to 365 times
== Answer ==
I’d heard 366, so God didn’t forget leap years either. I’ve seen it claimed to be 365 on several sites but with no proof. Looks like just over 100 in reality. Tried using bible gateway to lookup in NAB version.
“Do not be afraid”
Genesis 43:23
Genesis 46:3
Genesis 50:19
Genesis 50:21
Exodus 20:20
Deuteronomy 20:1
Deuteronomy 20:3
Deuteronomy 31:6
Joshua 11:6
Judges 4:18
1 Samuel 4:20
1 Samuel 22:23
1 Samuel 23:17
1 Samuel 28:13
2 Kings 1:15
2 Kings 19:6
2 Kings 25:24
Nehemiah 2:2
Psalm 49:16
Proverbs 3:25
Isaiah 37:6
Isaiah 44:8
Jeremiah 1:8
Jeremiah 40:9
Jeremiah 42:11 (2 times)
Ezekiel 3:9
Daniel 10:12
Daniel 10:19
Zephaniah 3:16
Matthew 1:20
Matthew 14:27
Matthew 17:7
Matthew 28:5
Matthew 28:10
Mark 5:36
Mark 6:50
Luke 1:13
Luke 1:30
Luke 2:10
Luke 8:50
Luke 12:4
Luke 12:32
John 6:20
Acts 18:9
Acts 27:24
Revelation 1:17
“Do not fear”
Genesis 15:1
Genesis 21:17
Genesis 26:24
Genesis 35:17
Exodus 14:13
Numbers 14:9
Numbers 21:34
Deuteronomy 1:21
Deuteronomy 1:29
Deuteronomy 3:2
Deuteronomy 3:22
Deuteronomy 31:8
Joshua 8:1
Joshua 10:8
Joshua 10:25
Judges 6:10 (You shall not fear the gods of the Amorites…)
Judges 6:23
Judges 3:11
1 Samuel 12:20
2 Samuel 9:7
2 Samuel 13:28
1 Kings 17:13
2 Kings 6:16
2 Kings 17:35 (You shall not fear other gods, nor bow…)
2 Kings 17:37
2 Kings 17:38
1 Chronicles 22:13
1 Chronicles 28:200
2 Chronicles 20:15
2 Chronicles 20:17
2 Chronicles 32:7
Nehemiah 4:14 (Do not be afraid…)
Job 21:9 (Their houses are safe from fear..)
Psalm 64:4
Psalm 78:53 (He led them to safety so they did not fear)
Isaiah 7:4
Isaiah 10:24
Isaiah 35:4
Isaiah 40:9
Isaiah 41:10
Isaiah 41:13
Isaiah 41:14
Isaiah 43:1
Isaiah 43:5
Isaiah 42:2
Isaiah 51:7
Isaiah 54:4
Isaiah 54:14?? (you will be far from oppression, for you will not fear..)
Jeremiah 10:5
Jeremiah 30:10
Jeremiah 46:27
Jeremiah 46:28
Lamentations 3:57
Joel 2:21
Joel 2:22
Haggai 2;5
Zechariah 8:13
Zechariah 8:15
Matthew 10:26
Matthew 10:28
Matthew 10:31
Luke 5:10
Luke 12:7
John 12:15
John 14:27 (Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful)
1 Peter 3:14 (Do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
Revelation 2:10
(troubled)
John 14:1 (Do not let your heart be troubled…)
Acts 20:10
It also says:
Mark 4:40 “…Why are ye fearful? Have ye no faith?”
Matthew 8:26 “…Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?…”
Revelation 21:8 “But the fearful, and … (ext.)… shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
The bible says that we should not fear many times without using the words “do not be afraid” or do not fear. This makes the number a lot closer to the 365. Although what the exact number is, I do not know.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_times_does_the_Bible_tell_us_to_Fear_Not#ixzz1cshpjCDy
Thanks for answering my question!
what about leap years??
I guess, to those who value 365 “fear nots,” that leaves them hanging for one day every four years for leap year. Of course, we could go deeper. What about the 360 days a year the early calendar had used in the early part of the Old Testament? Some believe that we will moved back to that 360 day calendar when Christ returns.
Pastor Nathan,
I agree with you that we should not be concerned with the amount of times that it is written. I feel that we should only be concerned with the fact that it is written. God should only have to say it one time but for this very reason, He had to repeat Himself over and over again. Be it 100 or 365, He repeated it because of the stubbornness of man. God knew that for us to get it, He would have to drill it into our hearts. So for those that want a scripture that says “fear not” for each day of the year (leap year included), pick one and read it daily. It will eventually set in. When you’re done with that one, choose another. Remember, it isn’t the amount of times that it appears, it’s the fact that it appears. I love each and every one of you with the love of Jesus. God bless you all.
Thank you very much.
Thank you for this conversation. Someone made the 365 declaration in church on Sunday and it sounded cute but I haven’t found it to be true either.
I agree with your assessment that one statement from the Lord is quite sufficient. Now I just need to be obedient and “be not anxious”.
Blessings
It would do us all good not to be anxious
I’m so happy that every one accepts that one “FEAR NOT” from God is enough to bring rest and confidence! If only Christians will agree in such a manner in every other matter!!!
I came up with 172 times the bible seems to be telling us “fear not” in various phrasing.
That still isn’t even 1/2 of 365. (This was an RSV). (Romans 13:3 is “ify” though.)
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love
1 Peter 3:14 Have no fear
1 Samuel 4:9 Take courage
1 Samu 28:13 Have no fear
Acts 18:9 Do not be afraid
Acts 23:11 Take Courage
Acts 27:24 Do not be afraid
Daniel 10:12 Fear Not
Daniel 10:19b Fear Not
Daniel 10:19a Be strong and of good courage
Deaut 7:21 You shall not be in dread of them
Deuteronomy 1:21 Do not fear
Deuteronomy 1:29 Do not be in dread or afraid of them
Deuteronomy 3:2 Do not fear
Deuteronomy 18:22 you need not be afraid
Deuteronomy 31:7 Be strong and of good courage
Deuteronomy 31:8 Do not fear
Deuteronomy 31:8 Do not fear
Deuteronomy 31:23 Be strong and of good courage
Deuteronomy 20:3a let not your heart faint
Deuteronomy 20:3b Do not fear
Deuteronomy 20:3c Or tremble
Deuteronomy 20:4d Or be in dread of them
Deuteronomy 31:6a Be strong and of good courage
Deuteronomy 31:6b Do not fear
Deuteronomy 31:6c Or be in dread of them
Ecclesiastes 8:2 Be not dismayed
Exodus 14:13 Fear Not
Exodus 20:20 Do not fear
Ezekiel 2:6a Be Not Afraid
Ezekiel 2:6b nor be afraid of their words
Ezekiel 2:6c Nor be dismayed at their looks
Ezra 10:4 Be strong
Gen 15:1 Fear Not
Gen 21:17 Fear Not
Gen 35:17 Fear Not
Gen 43:23 Do not be afraid
Gen 46:3 Do not be afraid
Gen 50:19 Fear Not
Gen 50:21 Do not fear
Gen 26:24 Fear Not
Haggai 2:4a Take Courage
Haggai 2:4b Take Courage
Haggain 2:4c Take Courage
Haggai 2:5 Fear Not
Hosea 10:3 Fear Not
I Chron 19:13 Be of good courage
1 Chron 22:13a Be strong, and of good courage
I Chron 22:13b Fear Not
I Chron 22:13c Be not dismayed
1 Chron 28:10 Be strong
1 Chron 28:20a Be strong, and of good courage
I Chron 28:20b Fear Not
I Chron 28:20c Be not dismayed
I Kings 17:13 Fear Not
I Sam 4:20 Fear Not
I Sam 12:20 Fear Not
I Sam 22:23 Fear Not
I Sam 23:17 Fear Not
I Sam 28:13 Have no fear
II Chron 15:7 Take courage!
II Chron 20:15 Fear Not
II Chron 20:15 Be not dismayed
II Chron 20:17 Fear Not
II Chron 20:17 Be not dismayed
II Chron 32:7a Be strong and of good courage
II Chron 32:7b Do not be afraid
II Chron 32:7c Or dismayed
II Kings 1:15 Do not be afraid
II Kings 6:16 Fear Not
II Kings 19:6 Do not be afraid
II Kings 25:24 Do not be afraid
II Sam 9:7 Do not fear
II Sam 10:12 Be of good courage
II Sam 13:28a Fear Not
II Sam 13:28b Be courageous
Hebrews 12:5 Nor lose courage
Isaiah 7:4 Do not fear
Isaiah 10:24 Be Not Afraid
Isaiah 35:4 Fear Not
Isaiah 37:6 Do not be afraid
Isaiah 40:9 Fear Not
Isaiah 41:6 Take Courage
Isaiah 41:10 Fear Not
Isaiah 41:13 Fear Not
Isaiah 43:1 Fear Not
Isaiah 43:5 Fear Not
Isaiah 44:2 Fear Not
Isaiah 44:8 Fear Not
Isaiah 51:7 Fear Not
Isaiah 51:7 Be not dismayed
Isaiah 54:4 Fear Not
Isaiah 8:12a Do not fear
Isaiah 8:12b Nor be in dread
Jeremiah 1:8 Be Not Afraid
Jeremiah 10:5 Be Not Afraid
Jeremiah 30:10 Fear Not
Jeremiah 40:9 Do not be afraid
Jeremiah 42:11 Do not fear
Jeremiah 46:27 Fear Not
Jeremiah 46:28 Fear Not
Jeremiah 42:11a Do not fear
Jeremiah 42:11b Do not fear
Job 33:7 No fear of me need terrify you
Job 37:6 Be strong.
Job 39:22a He laughs at fear
Job 39:22b Is not dismayed
Joel 2:21 Fear Not
Joel 2:22 Fear Not
John 6:20 Do not be afraid
John 12:15 Fear Not
Joshua 1:6 Be strong and of good courage
Joshua 1:7 Be strong and very courageous
Joshua 1:9a Be strong and of good courage
Joshua 1:9b Be not frightened
John 1:9c neither be dismayed
Joshua 1:18 Be strong and of good courage
Joshua 8:1 Do not fear
Joshua 8:1 Do not fear
Joshua 10:8 Do not fear
Joshua 10:25a Do not be afraid
Joshua 10:25b Be strong and of good courage
Joshua 11:6 Do not be afraid
Joshua 1:9a Be strong and of good courage
Joshua 1:9b be not frightened
Joshua 1:9c neither be dismayed
Joshua 10:25a Do not be afraid
Joshua 10:25b Be strong and of good courage
Judges 4:18 Have no fear
Judges 6:23 Do not fear
Lamentations 3:57 Do not fear
Lamentations 3:57 Do not fear
Luke 1:13 Do not be afraid
Luke 1:30 Do not be afraid
Luke 2:10 Be Not Afraid
Luke 5:10 Do not be afraid
Luke 8:50 Do not fear
Luke 12:4 Do not fear
Luke 12:7 Fear Not
Luke 12:32 Fear Not
Mark 5:36 Do not fear
Mark 5:36 Do not fear
Mark 6:50 Have no fear
Matthew 1:20 Do not fear
Matthew 10:26 Have no fear
Matthew 10:28 Do not fear
Matthew 10:31 Fear Not
Matthew 14:27 Have no fear
Matthew 17:7 Have no fear
Matthew 28:5 Do not be afraid
Matthew 28:10 Do not be afraid
Nehemiah 4:14 Do not be afraid
Numbers 13:20 Be of good courage
Numbers 21:34 Do not fear
Numbers 14:9a Do not fear
Numbers 14:9b Do not fear
Proverbs 3:25 Do not be afraid
Psalm 27:14 Take courage
Psalm 31:24 Take courage
Psalm 49:16 Be Not Afraid
Psalm 55:19 Do not fear *do not fear God
Psalm 118:6 Do not fear
Psalms 49:16 Be Not Afraid
Revelation 1:17 Fear Not
Revelation 2:10 Do not fear
Romans 13:3 Have no fear *would you have no fear
Ruth 3:11 Do not fear
Zechariah 8:13 Fear Not
Zechariah 8:15 Fear Not
Zephaniah 3:16 Do not fear
1 Corinthians 16:13a Be courageous
1 Corinthians 16:13b Be strong
You are looking past many verses that are not in the imperative command form (like Psalm 34:4 for instance). There are those verses that are in the declarative form (Hebrews 13:6). There are lot’s of references to fear in Proverbs (ie. Proverbs 3:7), yet only one of those seem to be on your list. Also, there are many other references that you could add to this list with a broader search of words like “Anxiety” or “Worry” or “Hope”.
“He delivered me from all my fears” – Psalm 34:4
“I will not be afraid, what can man do to me” – Hebrews 13:6
“Fear the Lord and shun evil” – Proverbs 3:7
“Be anxious for nothing” – Philippians 4:6
“Cast all your anxiety upon him” – I Peter 5:6
“Do not worry about your life” – Matthew 6
“Why are you downcast O my soul, put your Hope in God” – Psalm 42:5
“Put your Hope in the Lord” – Psalm 131:1
So, this brings your list up to, let’s see…183. And these were just examples of each, not an exhaustive list. So my guess is that one could, with a more nuanced approach, indeed compile a list of 365 references from the bible concerning fear – and do so quite easily.
The point still stands, one “fear not” is just as good as 365. But, unless you or anyone else can come up with a list of 365 then we are again made to look like stupid christians who will fall for anything. I have averaged 6 his per day from around the world for several years and if you came up with the “365″ list you would make a great mark and be quoted by most every pastor. Without proof, this quote needs to stop.
Oh, I just thought of another –
“Be still and know that I am God” – Psalm 46:10
And where are the verses that affirm “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”?
Job 28:28
Proverbs 9:10
Psalm 111:10
wow, i am really enthused about this topic i which to have the various verses cus after knowing this has been a blessing to my daily walk with God, no matter what happens
this is revealing, I was writing a song on ”Jesus will never leave you alone” and I wanted to use a line that says there’s a fear not for each day from Jesus, so I decided to google how many fear nots there are in the bible which got me into this blog. now I know that what matters is a word from the Lord not the number of times spoken.
Thanks for all the references. I am doing a lesson on having no fear and this came in handy.
Just wanted to say, the actual words “fear not” may not be 365 times, but other phrases more positively, such as “Trust in the Lord,” “Be courageous,” and so forth are also ways to say, “Fear not.”
If this is the case then that is what needs to be stated, that “fear not” in many negative and positive forms are listed 365 times. My challenge to you is to back up your suggestion with a list of 365. Otherwise, your suggestion is a guess.
Great discussion! Doing a segment on Courage and all the Scripture references are a blessing! Thank you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ2cWDoOz4g&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I am a missionary in the Former Soviet Block. I work with those “Least of These” that suffer from the effects of alcoholism and drug addiction. This includes the family members who live in fear. At the moment I find I have a little time on my hand as I research a book about Satan’s influence on the world through addiction. After reading all of these list and knowing I have made the statement about 365 fear nots myself I will try to make an all inclusive list that will be added in my book. Thanks for the great head start.
[...] I found far fewer exhortations to ‘fear not’, and a Google search confirmed that others have found the [...]
I am really bless by this blog and thank God for your life. I am a sunday school teacher and want to exhorting on “fear not” an assurances from God. This is of great assistance to me. Once again thank you and bless u.
[...] Much to my chagrin, “fear not” nor any of its close derivatives (fear thou not, be not afraid, etc.) can be found in the Bible 365 times. Personal friend and close colleague, Pastor Nathan Boehm, took the time to do further research on this subject and posted his findings on his blog that I recommend for your reading (http://wordnuggets.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/how-many-times-does-the-bible-say-fear-not/). [...]
Why does it matter how many times fear not is said in the bible or it in any of its many forms. God said to fear not and that should be enough.
I totally agree and yet I average over 2,000 every month on this one blog. There is an interest in this subject for some reason.
God does’nt want you to fear, he knew that fear is the root of many faliures you have today. Fear of death that make you to visit the wrong place, fear of poverty, rejection, future etc. You dont need to know how many time God said it. Have faith in what God says & you have rest.
in reading this blog, I am guessing the reason there is such an interest is because we need to “prove” things to be true instead of accepting God’s word by faith. I, myself, have used there is one fear not for every day of the year. It is faith that pleases God and once is enough. He parted the Red Sea, once. The burning bush, once. The two ways of learning, for the most part, is repetition and a strong emotional encounter. May God encounter us with His love each and every day for perfect love casts out all fear. Thanks for all the sharing.