How many times does the Bible say 'fear not'?
You may have heard that the Bible says "fear not" 365 times — one for every day of the year. It's a lovely thought, but it isn't true in any translation. Counting the actual text of the KJV: the exact phrase "fear not" appears in 62 verses, and adding "be not afraid" brings the total to 88. Include every variation ("do not fear," "neither be afraid," "be not dismayed") and the number climbs past one hundred — impressive, just not 365.
What matters more than the count is who says it and when. It is spoken to Abraham in the dark, to Israel at the sea, to shepherds at midnight:
“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 (KJV)
“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 (KJV)
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”Luke 2:10 (KJV)
The Hebrew verb is yare (H3372) — the same word used for the "fear of the LORD." Scripture's logic is consistent: fear God, and you need fear nothing else.
Search every 'fear not' yourself →Word studies behind this answer
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Verse text quoted from the King James Version. Study any passage free at Ekdia — no ads, no subscriptions.