eerbied

Eerbied is a Dutch noun that denotes a feeling of reverence, respect, or veneration in the presence of someone or something regarded as superior, sacred, powerful, or authoritative. It combines admiration with a sense of obligation to treat the object with special deference. Eerbied is commonly directed toward deities, religious figures, elders, or social institutions, but it can also be felt toward nature, art, traditions, or moral ideals.

Linguistically, eerbied is closely connected to notions of honor and duty. The related verb eerbiedigen means to show reverence to someone or something. The term is often used to express an appropriate, enduring attitude, not merely a fleeting emotion.

In religious contexts, eerbied expresses the proper attitude toward the sacred and the divine. In secular settings, it can describe the respect shown for authority, language, or human achievements, as well as the awe inspired by nature or the universe. The feeling can be communal, reinforcing norms and rituals, or individual, shaping behavior and ethics.

Scholarly distinctions sometimes separate eerbied from ontzag. Ontzag emphasizes the overwhelming or mysterious nature of what is encountered, whereas eerbied stresses a respectful stance and the obligations it implies. In translation, eerbied is often rendered as reverence or awe, depending on context.