How many times does the Bible say not to be afraid?

Exact counts vary by translation, so the popular claim of exactly 365 times doesn't hold up. Still, commands not to fear appear across both testaments more than a hundred times by many counts, making this one of the Bible's most repeated messages. It's spoken to Abraham, Joshua, Mary, and the disciples. The repetition itself is the comfort: Scripture expects fear and answers it, every time, with God's presence.

What's the difference between the fear of the Lord and the fear these verses talk about?

The fear of the Lord means reverence, awe, and taking God seriously, and Proverbs calls it the beginning of wisdom. The fear these verses answer is dread, the anxious kind that shrinks your life. The two actually work together: the more weight you give God, the less final every other threat feels. Verses like Psalms 27:1 and Hebrews 13:6 draw exactly that connection.

Which verse should I memorize first for fear?

Start with Isaiah 41:10. It's specific, it covers both fear and discouragement, and it explains why you don't have to be afraid rather than just saying so. Psalms 56:3 is the best one-liner for the moment fear hits, and Joshua 1:9 works well for new seasons like a job, a move, or a diagnosis. Pick one and keep it for a full week.

Bible Verses About Fear

A random verse drawn from 26 passages chosen for this topic.

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Genesis 15:1KJV

TranslationFrom

Drawing from 26 verses

The Bible tells people not to be afraid more often than it gives almost any other instruction. Those words go to shepherds, kings, prophets, fishermen, and ordinary people facing ordinary dread, which says something about how well Scripture understands us.

The reason attached to the command matters more than the command itself. Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:9, and Psalms 23:4 all rest their comfort on the same fact: God is present. The Bible's answer to fear is rarely an explanation. It is company.

Scripture also treats courage as something you practice while afraid, not after fear disappears. The writer of Psalms 56:3 talks about trusting God in the exact moment fear shows up, which is a realistic picture of how fear actually works.

People reach for these verses before surgeries and flights, during storms in the news or at home, in the middle of the night, at the start of new jobs and new cities, and on behalf of their kids. Fear verses are among the most shared in all of Scripture because everyone eventually needs one.

The tool above shows a random verse from the fear collection. Click until one lands, then make it specific. Name the fear, set the verse next to it, and let the two sit in the same sentence when you pray. Vague comfort fades fast, but a verse attached to a named fear tends to stick.

For long-running fears, pick one verse and stay with it for a week rather than sampling a new one every hour. Deuteronomy 31:6 and 2 Timothy 1:7 both hold up well under that kind of repeated weight.

It also helps to know that the fear of the Lord, which you'll meet elsewhere in Scripture, is a different thing. That phrase describes reverence and awe, not dread. The fear these verses answer is the anxious, threatened kind, and the Bible's consistent word about it is that you are not facing anything alone.

Whatever brought you here, at midnight or on the way to something hard, start with a single verse. Read it twice, and take it with you into the thing you're afraid of.

All 26 verses about fear, in the King James Version

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Genesis 15:1
The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Exodus 14:14
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deuteronomy 31:6
And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalms 23:4
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalms 27:1
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalms 34:4
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalms 46:1
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalms 56:3
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Psalms 91:5
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Psalms 118:6
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
Proverbs 29:25
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
Isaiah 35:4
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10
For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Isaiah 41:13
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
Isaiah 43:1
The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:31
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Mark 5:36
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:32
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans 8:15
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Hebrews 13:6
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18

Frequently asked questions

How many times does the Bible say not to be afraid?: Exact counts vary by translation, so the popular claim of exactly 365 times doesn't hold up. Still, commands not to fear appear across both testaments more than a hundred times by many counts, making this one of the Bible's most repeated messages. It's spoken to Abraham, Joshua, Mary, and the disciples. The repetition itself is the comfort: Scripture expects fear and answers it, every time, with God's presence.
What's the difference between the fear of the Lord and the fear these verses talk about?: The fear of the Lord means reverence, awe, and taking God seriously, and Proverbs calls it the beginning of wisdom. The fear these verses answer is dread, the anxious kind that shrinks your life. The two actually work together: the more weight you give God, the less final every other threat feels. Verses like Psalms 27:1 and Hebrews 13:6 draw exactly that connection.
Which verse should I memorize first for fear?: Start with Isaiah 41:10. It's specific, it covers both fear and discouragement, and it explains why you don't have to be afraid rather than just saying so. Psalms 56:3 is the best one-liner for the moment fear hits, and Joshua 1:9 works well for new seasons like a job, a move, or a diagnosis. Pick one and keep it for a full week.