Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "trembles" in the Bible often refers to a physical manifestation of fear, awe, or reverence in response to the presence or actions of God. It can also denote the reaction of the earth or nations in the face of divine power and judgment.
Biblical Instances:1.
Fear and Reverence: Trembling is frequently associated with the fear of the Lord, a profound respect and awe for His majesty and holiness. In
Isaiah 66:2 , God says, "But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word." This verse highlights the appropriate response of humility and reverence towards God's commands and revelations.
2.
Divine Judgment: The earth and its inhabitants are depicted as trembling in response to God's judgment. In
Psalm 99:1 , it is written, "The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth quake." This imagery underscores the power and authority of God over all creation, causing even the earth to react to His presence.
3.
Prophetic Imagery: Prophets often use the imagery of trembling to convey the seriousness of God's impending judgment. In
Joel 2:1 , the prophet declares, "Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; indeed, it is near." Here, trembling serves as a call to repentance and preparation for the day of the Lord.
4.
Human Response to Divine Encounter: Individuals in the Bible often tremble when encountering God or His messengers. In
Daniel 10:11 , Daniel experiences trembling during a vision: "And he said to me, 'Daniel, you are a man treasured by God. Understand the words that I am saying to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.' And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling." This reaction signifies the overwhelming nature of divine encounters.
5.
Spiritual Significance: Trembling can also reflect a spiritual state of repentance and recognition of one's sinfulness before a holy God. In
Philippians 2:12 , Paul exhorts believers, "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 emphasizes the seriousness with which believers are to approach their spiritual growth and obedience to God.
Theological Implications:Trembling in the biblical context is not merely a physical reaction but a profound acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, holiness, and the reality of His judgment. It serves as a reminder of the appropriate posture of humility and reverence that believers are to maintain in their relationship with God. The consistent biblical theme of trembling underscores the importance of recognizing God's authority and responding with a heart of worship and obedience.
Strong's Hebrew
3415. yara -- to quiver... yara. 3416 . to quiver. Transliteration: yara Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rah') Short
Definition:
trembles.
... root Definition to quiver NASB Word Usage
trembles (1).
...2730a. chared -- trembling
... Word Origin from charad Definition trembling NASB Word Usage tremble (1), trembled
(1), trembling (2), who tremble (1), whotrembles (1). 2730, 2730a....
7460. raad -- to tremble, quake
... Definition: trembling. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to tremble, quake
NASB Word Usagetrembles (1), trembling (2). tremble. A...
2729. charad -- to tremble, be terrified
... him afraid (1), make them afraid (3), quaked (1), routed (1), startled (1), terrified
(2), terrify (2), tremble (10), trembled (4),trembles (1), trembling (2...
5568. samar -- to bristle up
... Definition: bristled. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to bristle up NASB
Word Usage bristled (1),trembles (1). stand up, tremble. A...
Library
Here My PenTrembles in My Hand; but When...
... Address 202: Here my pentrembles in my hand; but when? Here my pentrembles
in my hand; but when, O when will one single Christian...
Psalm 50:6. To the Old Proper Tune. The Last Judgment.
... the north; From east to west the sov'reign orders spread, Thro' distant worlds,
and regions of the dead: The trumpet sounds; helltrembles; heaven rejoices...
Psalm 50 the Last Judgment.
... Through distant worlds and regions of the dead: The trumpet sounds; helltrembles;
heav'n rejoices.... Judgment proceeds; helltrembles; heav'n rejoices;...
Whether Fear Makes one Tremble?
... Objection 1: It would seem that trembling is not an effect of fear. Because trembling
is occasioned by cold; thus we observe that a cold persontrembles....
A Strain of Jonah the Prophet.
... God to avoid, and shun the Lord's right hand. 'Neath whom the whole orbtrembles
and is held.... 60 The forest of her tacklingtrembles all;...
The Right Kind of Fear
... That is the slavish fear whichtrembles before God as a criminaltrembles before
the judge, "the fear which mistrusts, suspects, and has no confidence in God...
Paul's Sermon Before Felix
... life or death, instead of entering into a defence of himself, he reasons "of
righteousness, continence, and judgment to come," until his judgetrembles, and...
Effectual Calling
... "Ye were sometimes darkness" (Ephesians 5:8). Darkness is very disconsolate. A man
in the dark is full of fear, hetrembles every step he takes....
The Wicked Man's Life, Funeral, and Epitaph
... You do not now hear him say that hetrembles under the Word"not he.... Almost persuaded
to be a Christian by some sermon from a Paul, hetrembles at his feet....
Hebrews x. 26, 27
... A woman often has a garment woven with gold, and this she shakes, wraps up in linen,
keeps with care,trembles for it, and has no enjoyment of it....
Thesaurus
Trembles (17 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Trembles (17 Occurrences).
... (See NIV). Job 37:1 "Yes, at
this my heart
trembles, and is moved out of its place. (WEB NAS RSV).
...Tremble (92 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To totter; to shake; -- said of a thing. 3. (vi) To quaver or shake,
as sound; to be tremulous; as the voicetrembles. 4...
Resound (8 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Jeremiah 49:21 The earthtrembles at the noise of their fall; there
is a cry, the noise which is heard in the Red Sea. (See NIV)....
Trembleth (21 Occurrences)
Outcry (56 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Jeremiah 49:21 The earthtrembles at the noise of their fall; there
is a cry, the noise which is heard in the Red Sea. (See NAS)....
Trembled (43 Occurrences)
Quakes (6 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 10:10 But Yahweh is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting
King: at his wrath the earthtrembles, and the nations are not able to...
Neighing (3 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 8:16 The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan: at the sound of the
neighing of his strong ones the whole landtrembles; for they are come, and...
Lit (10 Occurrences)
... The earth trembled and shook. (WEB DBY NAS NIV). Psalms 97:4 His lightning
lights up the world. The earth sees, andtrembles. (See NAS)....
Leaps (5 Occurrences)
... Job 37:1 "Yes, at this my hearttrembles, and is moved out of its place. (See NAS
RSV NIV). Job 41:22 There is strength in his neck. Terror dances before him....
Resources
How is prayer communicating with God? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible teach that Sophia is the goddess of wisdom? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.orgTrembles: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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