Topical Bible: Trembled

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "trembled" in the Bible often signifies a physical manifestation of fear, awe, or reverence in response to the presence or actions of God, or in reaction to significant events. This trembling can be both literal and metaphorical, reflecting the deep emotional and spiritual impact of divine encounters or judgments.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, trembling is frequently associated with the fear of God and His mighty acts. For instance, in Exodus 19:16 , when God descended upon Mount Sinai, "On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled." This passage illustrates the Israelites' reaction to the overwhelming presence of God, highlighting their reverence and fear.

Similarly, in Psalm 99:1 , the psalmist declares, "The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth quake." Here, trembling is a response to God's sovereign rule and His holiness, emphasizing the appropriate reaction of creation to the Creator's majesty.

The prophets also speak of trembling in the context of judgment and repentance. In Isaiah 66:2 , God says, "Has not My hand made all these things, and so they came into being? declares the LORD. This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word." Trembling at God's word signifies a deep respect and acknowledgment of His authority and truth.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, trembling continues to convey a sense of reverence and fear, often in the context of encountering the divine or recognizing one's own sinfulness. In Mark 5:33 , after Jesus heals a woman who had been suffering for twelve years, "Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at His feet, trembling with fear, and told Him the whole truth." Her trembling reflects both awe at the miraculous healing and fear of having approached Jesus in her unclean state.

The Apostle Paul also uses the concept of trembling to describe the appropriate attitude of believers in their spiritual walk. In Philippians 2:12 , he exhorts, "Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now even more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." This passage underscores the seriousness and reverence with which Christians are to approach their salvation and relationship with God.

Theological Implications

Trembling in the biblical context is not merely an expression of fear but is deeply tied to the recognition of God's holiness, power, and authority. It is an acknowledgment of human frailty and sinfulness in the presence of the divine. This trembling is often accompanied by a call to repentance, humility, and obedience, as seen in various scriptural accounts.

The consistent theme of trembling throughout the Bible serves as a reminder of the proper posture before God—one of reverence, awe, and submission. It reflects the transformative impact of encountering the divine and the appropriate response to God's majesty and righteousness.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(imp. & p. p.) of Tremble.

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

Strong's Hebrew

5128. nua -- to quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter
... 1), set trembling (1), shake (4), shaken (4), shook (1), stagger (3), staggered
(1), swing to and fro (1), to and fro (1), tremble (1), trembled (2), unstable ...
/hebrew/5128.htm - 6k

2342a. chul -- to whirl, dance, writhe
... birth (1), gave birth (2), giving birth (1), labor (1), quaked (1), shakes (2),
swirl down (1), take part (1), travailed (4), tremble (5), trembled (1), turned ...
/hebrew/2342a.htm - 6k

2730a. chared -- trembling
... Word Origin from charad Definition trembling NASB Word Usage tremble (1), trembled
(1), trembling (2), who tremble (1), who trembles (1). 2730, 2730a. ...
/hebrew/2730a.htm - 5k

2112. zua -- to tremble
... tremble. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to zua Definition to tremble
NASB Word Usage tremble (1), trembled (1). tremble. (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/2112.htm - 6k

7264. ragaz -- to be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited ...
... moved (1), provoke (1), quake (1), quaked (2), quakes (2), quarrel (1), rages (1),
raging (4), shakes (1), stirred (1), tremble (11), trembled (3), trembling (3 ...
/hebrew/7264.htm - 6k

2729. charad -- to tremble, be terrified
... away (1), make him afraid (1), make them afraid (3), quaked (1), routed (1), startled
(1), terrified (2), terrify (2), tremble (10), trembled (4), trembles (1 ...
/hebrew/2729.htm - 6k

Library

And, Behold, Suddenly Hades Trembled, and the Gates of Death and ...
... Latin. Second Version. Chapter 8 (24). And, behold, suddenly Hades trembled,
and the gates of death and the bolts were shattered? ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 8 24 and behold.htm

Then Joseph Trembled, and Took Hold of Jesus, and Went with Him to ...
... Chapter 29. Then Joseph trembled, and took hold of Jesus, and went with
Him to his own? Then Joseph trembled, and took hold of ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 29 then joseph trembled.htm

Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Words of Jesus on the Cross.
... When our Lord pronounced his last words, before expiring, in a loud tone, the earth
trembled, and the rock of Calvary burst asunder, forming a deep chasm ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xlv fifth sixth and.htm

Paul and Felix
... And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled,
and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xii paul and felix.htm

Saurin -- Paul Before Felix and Drusilla
... And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled,
and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/saurin paul before felix.htm

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth
... The mountain was in flames at the top, and trembled to its basis (Exodus
19:16-19). Dark clouds, thundering and lightning filled the air. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon iii the shaking of.htm

Chapter fifteen
... All this, with a voice that rang and trembled and broke in sobs of anguish for the
result, did Henry Maxwell pour out upon his people that Sunday morning. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter fifteen.htm

And on the Second Day, While Mary was at the Fountain to Fill Her ...
... And when Mary saw him, she exceedingly feared and trembled. ... [1638] And when she
heard these words, she trembled, and was exceedingly afraid. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 9 and on the.htm

When this was Seen by Hades and Death, and their Impious Officers. ...
... When this was seen by Hades and Death, and their impious officers, along with their
cruel servants, they trembled at perceiving in their own dominions the ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 6 22 when this.htm

The Son of the Maker is Like unto his Father as Maker!
... Satan saw her and trembled, and hasted to trouble her. He brought the judgment to
her mind, and she feared not; stoning and the sword, and she trembled not. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vii the son of.htm

Thesaurus

Trembled (43 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Trembled (43 Occurrences). Matthew 28:4 For fear of him
the guards trembled violently, and became like dead men. (WEY DBY WBS RSV). ...
/t/trembled.htm - 19k

Quaked (13 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:4 "Yahweh, when you went forth out of Seir, when you marched out of
the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the sky also dropped. ...
/q/quaked.htm - 10k

Shook (33 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY). Acts 7:32 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God
of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' Moses trembled, and dared not look. (See NAS). ...
/s/shook.htm - 16k

Lightnings (17 Occurrences)
... were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of
an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled...
/l/lightnings.htm - 11k

Trembles (17 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV NIV). Joel 2:10 At their face trembled hath the earth, Shaken have the
heavens, Sun and moon have been black, And stars have gathered up their shining. ...
/t/trembles.htm - 11k

Lightning (49 Occurrences)
... were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of
an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled...
/l/lightning.htm - 24k

Tremble (92 Occurrences)
... And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
(Root in KJV WBS YLT NIV). ... 2 Samuel 22:8 Then the earth shook and trembled. ...
/t/tremble.htm - 34k

Yon (2 Occurrences)
... Psalms 68:8 The earth trembled, The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of
God: Yon Sinai trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel. ...
/y/yon.htm - 7k

Quake (23 Occurrences)
... thee. (DBY). 2 Samuel 22:8 Then the earth shook and trembled. The ... rebuke.
(See NIV). Psalms 18:7 Then the earth shook and trembled. The ...
/q/quake.htm - 12k

Lightened (11 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS). Psalms 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings
lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. (KJV ASV WBS YLT). ...
/l/lightened.htm - 9k

Resources

How many times did Moses ascend Mount Sinai? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Book of Adam and Eve? | GotQuestions.org

What is the key to not being afraid according to the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Trembled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Trembled (43 Occurrences)

Matthew 28:4
For fear of him the guards trembled violently, and became like dead men.
(WEY DBY WBS RSV)

Mark 16:8
And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
(KJV WBS)

Acts 7:32
'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' Moses trembled, and dared not look.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV)

Acts 24:25
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
(KJV WBS)

Genesis 27:33
Isaac trembled violently, and said, "Who, then, is he who has taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before you came, and have blessed him? Yes, he will be blessed."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 19:16
It happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 19:18
And mount Sinai was altogether in a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke of it ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount trembled greatly.
(WBS NIV)

Exodus 20:18
All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 2:25
This day I begin to put thy dread and thy fear on the face of the peoples under the whole heavens, who hear thy fame, and have trembled and been pained because of thee.
(YLT)

Judges 5:4
"Yahweh, when you went forth out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the sky also dropped. Yes, the clouds dropped water.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

1 Samuel 4:13
When he came, behold, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching; for his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)

1 Samuel 13:7
And Hebrews have passed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; and Saul 'is' yet in Gilgal, and all the people have trembled after him.
(YLT)

1 Samuel 14:15
There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled; and the earth quaked: so there was an exceeding great trembling.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

1 Samuel 16:4
And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
(KJV WBS NIV)

1 Samuel 21:1
And David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest; and Ahimelech trembled at meeting David, and said to him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
(DBY NIV)

1 Samuel 28:5
When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

2 Samuel 22:8
Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 1:49
And they tremble, and rise -- all those called who 'are' for Adonijah -- and go, each on his way;
(See RSV)

Ezra 9:4
Then were assembled to me everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the trespass of them of the captivity; and I sat confounded until the evening offering.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Esther 5:9
Then Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he didn't stand up nor move for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.
(See RSV)

Psalms 18:7
Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV)

Psalms 68:8
The earth trembled. The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai-- at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY)

Psalms 77:16
The waters saw thee, O God; The waters saw thee, they were afraid: The depths also trembled.
(See JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV)

Psalms 77:18
The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind. The lightnings lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 97:4
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Psalms 119:120
Trembled from Thy fear hath my flesh, And from Thy judgments I have been afraid!
(YLT)

Isaiah 6:4
And the bases of the door-pillars were shaking at the sound of his cry, and the house was full of smoke.
(See NAS)

Isaiah 7:2
It was told the house of David, saying, "Syria is allied with Ephraim." His heart trembled, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest tremble with the wind.
(WEB ASV)

Isaiah 10:29
They have gone over the passage, Geba they have made a lodging place, Trembled hath Rama, Gibeah of Saul fled.
(YLT)

Isaiah 41:5
The isles have seen, and fear; the ends of the earth tremble; they draw near, and come.
(See JPS DBY)

Isaiah 64:3
When Thou didst tremendous things which we looked not for--Oh that Thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might quake at Thy presence!--
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 4:24
I saw the mountains, and behold, they trembled, and all the hills moved back and forth.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Jeremiah 8:16
The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Jeremiah 33:9
And it hath been to Me for a name of joy, For praise, and for beauty, to all nations of the earth, Who hear of all the good that I am doing them, And they have feared, And they have trembled for all the good, And for all the peace, that I am doing to it.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 26:16
And come down from off their thrones have all princes of the sea, And they have turned aside their robes, And their embroidered garments strip off, Trembling they put on, on the earth they sit, And they have trembled every moment, And they have been astonished at thee,
(YLT)

Ezekiel 32:10
And I have made many peoples astonished at thee, And their kings are afraid at thee with trembling, In My brandishing My sword before their faces, And they have trembled every moment, Each for his life -- in the day of thy fall.
(YLT)

Daniel 5:19
and because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he killed, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Hosea 13:1
When Ephraim speaketh tremblingly, He hath been lifted up in Israel, When he becometh guilty in Baal he dieth.
(See RSV NIV)

Joel 2:10
At their face trembled hath the earth, Shaken have the heavens, Sun and moon have been black, And stars have gathered up their shining.
(YLT)

Habakkuk 3:7
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction. The dwellings of the land of Midian trembled.
(WEB WBS)

Habakkuk 3:10
The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.
(KJV WBS)

Habakkuk 3:16
I heard, and my body trembled. My lips quivered at the voice. Rottenness enters into my bones, and I tremble in my place, because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble, for the coming up of the people who invade us.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS NIV)

Malachi 2:5
My covenant with him was of life and peace, and I gave them to him that he might fear; and he feared me, and trembled before my name.
(DBY)

Subtopics

Trembled

Related Terms

Tremble (92 Occurrences)

Resound (8 Occurrences)

Trembleth (21 Occurrences)

Outcry (56 Occurrences)

Trembled (43 Occurrences)

Quakes (6 Occurrences)

Neighing (3 Occurrences)

Lit (10 Occurrences)

Leaps (5 Occurrences)