Arcana Coelestia # 8316
8316. 'Terror took hold of them' means that they did not dare to attempt a single thing. This is clear from the meaning of 'being taken hold of by terror' as not daring to attempt a single thing, for the blood of people in a state of terror goes cold, pours rapidly into their veins, and ceases to circulate; their sinews as a consequence go limp and their strength forsakes them, so that they do not dare to attempt a single thing.
