The Hebrew adjective yagor (יָגוֹר) describes a state of fear, dread, or terror. It comes from the root yagor (H3025), meaning to be afraid or to dread, and describes someone who lives under the shadow of constant anxiety or dread. Isaiah 51:12 uses it poignantly: 'Who are you that you fear (yagor) man who dies, a son of man who is made like grass?'
The prophet Isaiah contrasts the fear of God with the fear of man using this word. The people were terrified of Babylon and of the threats of earthly powers — but God confronts this with His own greatness: 'I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you fear man?' (Isaiah 51:12). This is the same message Jesus delivers: 'Do not fear those who kill the body... fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell' (Matthew 10:28). Proper fear (yirah) directed toward God displaces the destructive yagor fear of men and circumstances. Fear rightly directed is freedom from wrong fear.