وجس

Core meaning

To conceive within oneself a fear that does not yet show.

Uses

1. أَوْجَسَ, فَأَوْجَسَ, وَأَوْجَسَ → "to feel a fear" : the inward fear before guests one does not recognize or before wonders.

   • «وَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةًۭ» — "and felt a fear of them" (11:70)
   • «فَأَوْجَسَ فِى نَفْسِهِۦ خِيفَةًۭ مُّوسَىٰ» — "Moussa felt within himself a fear" (20:67)
   • «فَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةًۭ» — "He then felt a fear of them" (51:28)

Evidence from the text

The three occurrences follow the same order: the verb, then خِيفَة, fear, as its object. Ibrahim feels it before guests whose hands do not touch the meal (11:70, 51:28); Moussa, before the ropes and staffs of the workers of illusion (20:67), where the text specifies فِى نَفْسِهِۦ, "within himself".

In each narrative the fear stays inward and comes before speech: the guests at once reassure Ibrahim, and Moussa receives assurance in the next verse (20:68). The verb names the first, silent reaction before what one does not recognize.

Distinctions

• خوف — خوف is fear itself; وجس, conceiving it within oneself without showing it.

See also

نكر (not recognizing one's guests, from which the fear arises (11:70))