Have you ever seen a sign with the word BEWARE in big black letters? A quick google image search came up with the following signs. “Beware of Dog” (most prevalent), “Beware of Bear”, “Beware of Floods”, “Beware of Trains”, “Beware of Step, Beware of Falling Objects, Beware of Pickpockets.” I think my favorite one sums up the fears that come from the word, “Beware of — Well… just Beware.”
The word beware is found in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word š?mar is translated beware on nine occasions in the NKJV. It is a word with a broad meaning, but in those occasions it is translated beware, the idea is to be on guard, to observe, to watch for. In the New Testament the word beware comes from the Greek words prosech? (to pay attention to, to be cautious about); blep? (to look at, perceive, take heed); hora? (to stare at, to discern clearly); and phylass? (be on guard, avoid, observe). Though each Greek word has a different shade of meaning, they all make the same point when the context caused translators to translate them with the English “beware.”
If you happen to be walking up to a house and see a Beware of Dog sign, you will immediately start looking around as the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. The Beware of Step sign causes you to look down quickly to avoid a potential stumble. The word certainly gets your attention.
Sometimes the word Beware is used in scripture as a general warning that all of would do well to heed. Consider the following passages where the word is used in the NKJV:
In the book of Exodus, among God’s instructions to the Israelites, he told them that he would send an Angel to keep them in the way. They were to “Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him” (Exodus 23:21). The word angel indicates a messenger, and it is not clear who this messenger is. Some say it refers to Moses, others say Joshua, some believe the phrase “My name is in Him” means the angel is Jesus Himself! Regardless there is a warning here for us. When a voice comes from God (any scripture, prophecy, etc.) it is to be obeyed rather than provoked. We must beware, so that He will protect and care for us.
In Deuteronomy 6:12, Moses warned Israel to “beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” Can you imagine forgetting the demonstrations of God’s power, and the care and protection he afforded the people? And yet, so many do that every day. In the midst of provision and blessings, people too often remain oblivious to God and His commandments. In fact, in chapter 8:11, this is exactly that to which Moses refers. “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes.” We must beware, lest we forget!
Though the phrase “take heed” is used in Deuteronomy 12:30, instead of the word “beware” it is the same Hebrew word. Here the warning is against idolatry. They were told not to follow after the nations they were displacing, by inquiring how they served “their gods” saying “I also will do likewise.” When we consider that covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5), we must beware, let we too are guilty of idolatrous practices.
In Deuteronomy 15:9, the warning was against mistreating the poor man. “Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is at hand,’ and your eye be evil against your poor
brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the Lord against you, and it become sin among you.” The mistreatment of the poor and oppressed has been a pattern through the ages. We must beware, lest we become oppressors!
There are similar warnings in the New Testament. In Matthew 7:15, Jesus warned, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” In every age and in every place there are people who teach error, and deceive the elect. There are many warnings about them in scripture. We must beware of false teachers!
In fact, Jesus told his disciples to “beware of men” in general (Matthew 10:17), as so many are opposed to the things of God. It is a sad truth that continues today. We must beware, as our efforts to preach the gospel will not always be received with joy.
Consider a final few verses, with warnings to heed:
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).
“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:17-18).
Beware! Beware! Beware! Not just of dogs, but of anything that might forfeit your standing with your God!
