Topical Encyclopedia
Shock, in a biblical context, refers to a sudden and intense emotional or physical disturbance that can result from unexpected events or divine encounters. The Bible provides numerous instances where individuals or groups experience shock due to God's actions, revelations, or the unfolding of significant events.
Divine Encounters and RevelationsOne of the most profound examples of shock in the Bible is the reaction of individuals who encounter the divine presence. In the Old Testament, when Moses encounters God in the burning bush, he is initially filled with awe and fear (
Exodus 3:2-6). The shock of witnessing a miraculous event and hearing God's voice leads Moses to hide his face, recognizing the holiness of the moment.
Similarly, in the New Testament, the shepherds experience shock and fear when an angel of the Lord appears to them to announce the birth of Jesus. The glory of the Lord shines around them, and they are "terrified" (
Luke 2:9). The angel reassures them, transforming their shock into joy and prompting them to seek the newborn Savior.
Prophetic VisionsProphets often experienced shock when receiving visions from God. In the book of Daniel, the prophet is deeply troubled and physically affected by the visions he receives.
Daniel 8:27 states, "I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding." The overwhelming nature of divine revelation can lead to a state of shock, reflecting the gravity and significance of the message.
Miraculous EventsThe Bible records numerous miraculous events that induce shock among witnesses. When Jesus calms the storm, His disciples are left in awe and fear, questioning, "Who is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!" (
Mark 4:41). The sudden display of divine power challenges their understanding and evokes a sense of reverent shock.
Judgment and DeliveranceShock is also evident in instances of divine judgment and deliverance. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah leaves Abraham in a state of shock as he witnesses the consequences of sin and God's righteous judgment (
Genesis 19:27-28). Conversely, the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt through the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea leaves both the Israelites and the Egyptians in shock at the power and favor of God (
Exodus 14:30-31).
Resurrection and New LifeThe resurrection of Jesus Christ is the ultimate event that induces shock and awe. The women who visit the tomb are initially shocked to find it empty and are further astonished by the angelic announcement of Jesus' resurrection (
Matthew 28:5-8). This shock quickly turns to joy and proclamation as they realize the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
Human Reactions to ShockThroughout Scripture, human reactions to shock vary, including fear, awe, confusion, and worship. These responses often lead to a deeper understanding of God's nature and His purposes. Shock serves as a catalyst for transformation, prompting individuals to reevaluate their beliefs and align themselves with God's will.
In summary, shock in the Bible is a multifaceted experience that arises from encounters with the divine, prophetic revelations, miraculous events, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, holiness, and the profound impact of His actions on humanity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A pile or assemblage of sheaves of grain, as wheat, rye, or the like, set up in a field, the sheaves varying in number from twelve to sixteen.
2. (n.) A lot consisting of sixty pieces; -- a term applied in some Baltic ports to loose goods.
3. (v. t.) To collect, or make up, into a shock or shocks; to stook; as, to shock rye.
4. (v. i.) To be occupied with making shocks.
5. (n.) A quivering or shaking which is the effect of a blow, collision, or violent impulse; a blow, impact, or collision; a concussion; a sudden violent impulse or onset.
6. (n.) A sudden agitation of the mind or feelings; a sensation of pleasure or pain caused by something unexpected or overpowering; also, a sudden agitating or overpowering event.
7. (n.) A sudden depression of the vital forces of the entire body, or of a port of it, marking some profound impression produced upon the nervous system, as by severe injury, overpowering emotion, or the like.
8. (n.) The sudden convulsion or contraction of the muscles, with the feeling of a concussion, caused by the discharge, through the animal system, of electricity from a charged body.
9. (v.) To give a shock to; to cause to shake or waver; hence, to strike against suddenly; to encounter with violence.
10. (v.) To strike with surprise, terror, horror, or disgust; to cause to recoil; as, his violence shocked his associates.
11. (v. i.) To meet with a shock; to meet in violent encounter.
12. (n.) A dog with long hair or shag; -- called also shockdog.
13. (n.) A thick mass of bushy hair; as, a head covered with a shock of sandy hair.
14. (a.) Bushy; shaggy; as, a shock hair.
Greek
4624. skandalizo -- to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to...... Phonetic Spelling: (skan-dal-id'-zo) Short Definition: I cause to stumble Definition:
I cause to stumble, cause to sin, cause to become indignant,
shock, offend
...1611. ekstasis -- a displacement (of the mind), ie bewilderment...
... ek'-stas-is) Short Definition: bewilderment, amazement Definition: (properly:
distraction or disturbance of mind caused byshock), bewilderment, amazement; a...
1605. ekplesso -- to strike out, hence to strike with panic, to...
... Transliteration: ekplesso Phonetic Spelling: (ek-place'-so) Short Definition: I
am thunderstruck, astounded Definition: I strike with panic orshock; I amaze...
4349. proskope -- an occasion of stumbling
... Feminine Transliteration: proskope Phonetic Spelling: (pros-kop-ay') Short Definition:
a cause of stumbling Definition: a cause of stumbling, offense,shock....
Strong's Hebrew
4637. maaratsah -- an awfulshock, a crash... 4636, 4637. maaratsah. 4638 . an awful
shock, a crash. Transliteration: maaratsah
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-ar-aw-tsaw') Short Definition: crash.
...1430. gadiysh -- a heap, stack
...shock stack of corn, tomb From an unused root (meaning to heap up); a stack of sheaves;
by analogy, a tomb --shock (stack) (of corn), tomb. 1429, 1430....
Library
The Earthquake (Preached October 11, 1863. )
... A very slightshock"ashock only a little stronger than was felt last Wednesday
morning, might have"one hardly dare think of what it might have done in a...
Heralds of the Morning.
... In Africa theshock was almost as severe as in Europe.... It was in Spain and
Portugal that theshock manifested its extreme violence....
Heralds of the Morning
... In Africa theshock was almost as severe as in Europe.... It was in Spain and
Portugal that theshock manifested its extreme violence....
Chapter twenty-four
... Mrs. Sterling had at first fainted at theshock, then rallied with a wonderful
swiftness and sent for Dr. Bruce. She had then insisted on seeing her husband....
A Strain of Jonah the Prophet.
... As, underneath, her spinal length of keel,. Staggered byshock onshock, all
palpitates; And, from on high, her labouring mass of yard....
The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross...
... 4. Just as after ashock of earthquake springs of sweet water sometimes emerge in
desert places, and the arid wastes are irrigated and become fruitful, so in...
Substitution
... But last Sabbath I brought you oneshock of this wheat, in the fashion of Christ's
promise, which saith, "He that calleth on the name of the Lord, shall be...
The Rhythm of Life
... It meant that, though the bird had inherited the instinct for flight, he had not
inherited the capacity to stop, and if he had not risked theshock of a sudden...
He Inveighs against Him Because Though He Has Forsaken the...
... ruin. You think then that the faith of our salvation, and the mystery
of the Church's hope is ashock to your ears and hearing....
On the Earthquake. September 8, 1775
... Before its Maker's look. Swift as theshock amazement spreads,. And sinners tremble
too;... But mercy spared us while it warned,. Theshock is felt no more;...
Thesaurus
Shock (6 Occurrences)... 3. (vt) To collect, or make up, into a
shock or shocks; to stook; as, to
shock rye.
... 11. (vi) To meet with a
shock; to meet in violent encounter. 12.
...Earth-shock (11 Occurrences)
Earth-shock. Earth-shaking, Earth-shock. Earth-shocks . Multi-Version
Concordance Earth-shock (11 Occurrences). Matthew...
Jar (45 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To cause a short, tremulous motion of, to cause to tremble, as by a sudden
shock or blow; to shake; toshock; as, to jar the earth; to jar one's faith....
Flames (54 Occurrences)
... of God which is in heaven was open; and the ark of his agreement was seen in his
house, and there were flames and voices and thunders and an earth-shock and a...
Parted (67 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS). Matthew 27:51 And the curtain of the Temple was parted in two
from end to end; and there was an earth-shock; and the rocks were broken; (BBE)...
Earthquake (17 Occurrences)
... The wave ofshock sometimes traverses half a hemisphere, destroying cities and many
thousand lives; -- called also earthdin, earthquave, and earthshock....
Shocked (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofShock. Multi-Version Concordance
Shocked (8 Occurrences). Matthew 15:12 Then His disciples...
Bases (80 Occurrences)
... (BBE DBY RSV NIV). 2 Samuel 22:8 Then the earth was moved with a violentshock;
the bases of heaven were moved and shaking, because he was angry. (BBE)....
Shaking (162 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 2 Samuel 22:8 Then the earth was moved with a violentshock; the bases
of heaven were moved and shaking, because he was angry. (BBE)....
Violent (151 Occurrences)
... BBE). Acts 16:26 when suddenly there was such a violentshock of earthquake
that the prison shook to its foundations. Instantly the...
Resources
Why did blood and water come out of Jesus' side when He was pierced? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible say that an increase in technology is a sign of the end times? | GotQuestions.orgHow could Jacob not notice he married Leah instead of Rachel? | GotQuestions.orgShock: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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