Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the term "quake" often refers to a shaking or trembling of the earth, typically associated with divine intervention, judgment, or significant spiritual events. Earthquakes in the Bible are frequently depicted as manifestations of God's power and presence.Old Testament References 1. Mount Sinai: One of the earliest mentions of a quake occurs during the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Exodus 19:18 states, "Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently." This event underscores the awe-inspiring presence of God as He establishes His covenant with Israel. 2. The Earthquake in the Days of Uzziah: The prophet Amos references a significant earthquake during the reign of King Uzziah of Judah. Amos 1:1 notes, "The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel." This earthquake is also mentioned in Zechariah 14:5, indicating its lasting impact on the collective memory of the people. 3. Theophany and Judgment: Earthquakes are often associated with theophanies and divine judgment. In Psalm 18:7 , David describes a theophany: "Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger." This imagery is used to convey God's might and His response to the cries of His people. New Testament References 1. The Crucifixion of Jesus: A significant quake occurred at the moment of Jesus' death. Matthew 27:51-54 records, "At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, 'Truly this was the Son of God!'" This quake signifies the profound spiritual and cosmic significance of Christ's sacrificial death. 2. The Resurrection of Jesus: Another earthquake is described at the resurrection of Jesus. Matthew 28:2 states, "Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it." This event marks the triumph of Jesus over death and the grave, heralding the new covenant. 3. The Apostles' Imprisonment: In Acts 16:26 , an earthquake serves as a divine intervention for Paul and Silas: "Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose." This miraculous event leads to the conversion of the Philippian jailer and his household, demonstrating God's power to deliver and transform lives. Symbolism and Theology In biblical theology, earthquakes symbolize God's direct involvement in the world, often accompanying significant redemptive acts or judgments. They serve as reminders of God's sovereignty and the ultimate shaking of the heavens and the earth, as prophesied in Haggai 2:6 and reiterated in Hebrews 12:26-27 : "At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, 'Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.' The words, 'Once more,' signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain." Throughout Scripture, quakes are a powerful testament to the reality of God's presence and His active role in the unfolding of His divine plan. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. i.) To be agitated with quick, short motions continually repeated; to shake with fear, cold, etc.; to shudder; to tremble.2. (v. i.) To shake, vibrate, or quiver, either from not being solid, as soft, wet land, or from violent convulsion of any kind; as, the earth quakes; the mountains quake. 3. (v. t.) To cause to quake. 4. (n.) A tremulous agitation; a quick vibratory movement; a shudder; a quivering. Greek 1790. entromos -- terrified ... quake, tremble. From en and tromos; terrified -- X quake, X trembled. see GREEK en. see GREEK tromos. (entromos) -- 3 Occurrences. 1789, 1790. entromos. 1791 ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1790.htm - 6k 4579. seio -- to shake Strong's Hebrew 7493. raash -- to quake, shake... to quake, shake. Transliteration: raash Phonetic Spelling: (raw-ash) Short Definition: shake. ... make afraid, remove, quake, make to shake, make to tremble. ... /hebrew/7493.htm - 6k 7264. ragaz -- to be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited ... 2727. charag -- to quake 7460. raad -- to tremble, quake 2111. zua -- to tremble, quake 1607. gaash -- to shake, quake 2151a. zalal -- to shake 2729. charad -- to tremble, be terrified 5975. amad -- to take one's stand, stand 5120. nut -- to dangle, shake Library "We Shall See Verily the Cause of all Things that He Hath Done ... Hebrews xii. 18-24 The Evil and Its Remedy The Rent Veil A Strain of the Judgment of the Lord. The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes Of the Law and a Christian The Blood of Sprinkling First Part. Of his Cross what Shall I Speak, what Say? this Extremest Kind of ... Thesaurus Quake (23 Occurrences)... To shake, vibrate, or quiver, either from not being solid, as soft, wet land, or from violent convulsion of any kind; as, the earth quakes; the mountains quake... /q/quake.htm - 12k Quaked (13 Occurrences) Trembling (72 Occurrences) Quails (4 Occurrences) Quiver (9 Occurrences) Quaking (6 Occurrences) Quakes (6 Occurrences) Upheaved (1 Occurrence) Watchers (16 Occurrences) Trembles (17 Occurrences) Resources What does it mean to be still and know that I am God? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible teach that the earth is flat? | GotQuestions.org What does Revelation mean when it says, “There was no longer any sea”? | GotQuestions.org Quake: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Quake (23 Occurrences)Matthew 27:51 Matthew 28:4 Hebrews 12:21 Revelation 16:18 Deuteronomy 2:25 2 Samuel 22:8 Job 26:11 Psalms 18:7 Psalms 46:3 Psalms 60:2 Psalms 75:3 Psalms 99:1 Proverbs 30:21 Isaiah 64:1 Isaiah 64:2 Isaiah 64:3 Ezekiel 27:28 Ezekiel 29:7 Ezekiel 31:16 Ezekiel 38:20 Joel 2:10 Amos 8:8 Nahum 1:5 Subtopics Related Terms |
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