Topical Encyclopedia
The term "quaked" in the Bible often refers to a physical shaking or trembling of the earth, typically associated with the presence or actions of God. This phenomenon is frequently depicted as a manifestation of divine power and majesty, serving as a sign of God's intervention in the world or as a response to significant spiritual events.
Old Testament References1.
Mount Sinai: One of the most notable instances of quaking occurs at Mount Sinai during the giving of the Law. In
Exodus 19:18, the mountain is described as quaking violently: "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 quaking signifies the awe-inspiring presence of God as He establishes His covenant with Israel.
2.
Theophany and Divine Judgment: Earthquakes often accompany theophanies or divine judgments. In
Psalm 18:7, the earth quakes as a response to God's anger: "Then the earth quaked and trembled, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they were shaken because He burned with anger." This imagery underscores the power and holiness of God, who is capable of shaking the very foundations of the earth.
3.
Prophetic Imagery: The prophets also use the imagery of quaking to describe future divine interventions. In
Joel 2:10, the earth quakes as part of the apocalyptic vision: "Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness." Such descriptions emphasize the cosmic scale of God's actions and the transformative impact of His judgment.
New Testament References1.
The Crucifixion of Jesus: A significant quaking occurs at the moment of Jesus' death. In
Matthew 27:51, the earth quakes as the veil of the temple is torn: "At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split." This event symbolizes the profound spiritual shift brought about by Christ's sacrificial death, marking the end of the old covenant and the establishment of a new way to approach God.
2.
The Resurrection: Another earthquake is recorded at the resurrection of Jesus. In
Matthew 28:2, an angel descends, and the earth quakes: "Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it." This quaking signifies the victory over death and the power of the resurrection.
3.
Apostolic Events: In
Acts 16:26, an earthquake occurs in Philippi, leading to the miraculous release of Paul and Silas from prison: "Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose." This event highlights God's direct intervention in the lives of His servants, demonstrating His sovereignty and the unstoppable nature of the Gospel.
Theological SignificanceThe quaking of the earth in biblical narratives serves as a powerful symbol of God's presence, authority, and the dramatic changes He brings about in the world. It is a reminder of the Creator's control over creation and His ability to intervene in human history in profound and transformative ways. The imagery of quaking underscores the seriousness of divine encounters and the reality of God's active involvement in the unfolding of His redemptive plan.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Quake.
Strong's Hebrew
2342a. chul -- to whirl, dance, writhe... brought forth (4), burst (1), calve (1), calving (1), danced (1), fall (1), gave
you birth (1), gave birth (2), giving birth (1), labor (1),
quaked (1), shakes
...7493. raash -- to quake, shake
... root Definition to quake, shake NASB Word Usage leap (1), quake (4),quaked (5),
quakes (3), quaking (1), shake (9), shaken (2), shook (2), tremble (2), wave (1...
7264. ragaz -- to be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited...
... perturbed NASB Word Usage come trembling (1), deeply moved (1), disturbed (2), enraged
(1), excited (1), moved (1), provoke (1), quake (1),quaked (2), quakes...
2151a. zalal -- to shake
... to shake. Transliteration: zalal Short Definition: quake. Word Origin a prim. root
Definition to shake NASB Word Usage quake (1),quaked (1). 2151, 2151a....
5140. nazal -- to flow, trickle, drop, distill
... root Definition to flow, trickle, drop, distill NASB Word Usage distill (1), flow
(4), flowing (2), fresh water (1), pour down (2),quaked (1), streams (4...
2729. charad -- to tremble, be terrified
... 1), came trembling (2), come trembling (2), disturb (2), frighten (3), frighten
them away (1), make him afraid (1), make them afraid (3),quaked (1), routed (1...
Library
This is He who Took a Bodily Form in the virgin
... not say is too shocking to hear, and that which we shall say is very dreadful:
nevertheless hearken, and tremble.) It was He because of whom the earthquaked....
Whether Christ Worked Miracles Fittingly on Irrational Creatures?
... But Christ worked some miracles in the heavens, as stated above [4221](A[2]), and
likewise in the earth, when itquaked at the time of His Passion (Mat.27:51)....
The Gospel According to Peter.
... [7]. 6 And then they drew out the nails from the hands of the Lord, and laid him
upon the earth, and the whole earthquaked, and great fear arose....
The Death of Christ
... of all. The sun veiled his face, the earthquaked, the mountains were rent
asunder, all men were stricken with awe. These things...
A Free Grace Promise
... faces gathered blackness: the people were "much pained" The sun itself was dim,
the moon was dark, and the stars withdrew themselves: the earthquaked, and the...
The Addition in the Codex, with a Various Reading.
... The powers were astonished, the angels wondered, the elements trembled, the whole
created universe was shaken, the earthquaked, and its foundations rocked...
Conditions of Being Saved
... At midnight they were praying and singing praises"God came down- the earthquaked
and the prison rocked"its doors burst open, and their chains fell off...
The Ten Commandments.
... A thick cloud covered the mountain, which smoked andquaked, and there were thunders
and lightnings; a trumpet also sounded exceeding loud, so that all the...
The First-Born
... "Open! Open! In the name of Osiris!" cried a voice which, though itquaked
with consternation, Masanath recognized as her father's....
The Resurrection of Our Lord.
... At the very moment in which the angel entered the sepulchre and the earth
quaked, I saw our Lord appear to his holy Mother on Calvary....
Thesaurus
Quaked (13 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Quake. Multi-Version Concordance
Quaked (13 Occurrences).
... The earth
quaked and the rocks were split. (WEB WEY).
...Quake (23 Occurrences)
... The earthquaked and the rocks were split. (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV YLT).... The
foundations of heavenquaked and were shaken, because he was angry....
Trembled (43 Occurrences)
... 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 earthquaked: so there...
Shook (33 Occurrences)
... 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 earthquaked: so there...
Reeled (3 Occurrences)
... The foundations of heavenquaked and were shaken, because he was angry.... The foundations
also of the mountainsquaked and were shaken, because he was angry....
Rocked (2 Occurrences)
... The foundations of heavenquaked and were shaken, because he was angry.... The foundations
also of the mountainsquaked and were shaken, because he was angry....
Foundations (49 Occurrences)
... The foundations of heavenquaked and were shaken, because he was angry.... The foundations
also of the mountainsquaked and were shaken, because he was angry....
Shake (68 Occurrences)
... The foundations of heavenquaked and were shaken, because he was angry.... The foundations
also of the mountainsquaked and were shaken, because he was angry....
Tremble (92 Occurrences)
... The foundations of heavenquaked and were shaken, because he was angry.... The foundations
also of the mountainsquaked and were shaken, because he was angry....
Shaken (62 Occurrences)
... The foundations of heavenquaked and were shaken, because he was angry.... The foundations
also of the mountainsquaked and were shaken, because he was angry....
Resources
If God is omnipresent, then what is special about being in the presence of God? | GotQuestions.orgWas Yahweh originally a Edomite or Canaanite god? | GotQuestions.orgWhen did the church begin/start? | GotQuestions.orgQuaked: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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