The concept of "disturb" in the Bible often relates to the disruption of peace, order, or spiritual harmony. It can refer to both physical disturbances and emotional or spiritual unrest. The Bible addresses disturbances in various contexts, including personal, communal, and spiritual dimensions.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, disturbances often arise from external threats or internal conflicts. For example, in the historical narratives, the Israelites frequently faced disturbances from surrounding nations. These disturbances were sometimes seen as consequences of disobedience to God's commandments. In 1 Samuel 16:14, we see a spiritual disturbance when "the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him" . This passage highlights the spiritual unrest that can occur when one is not aligned with God's will.

Prophetic Literature

The prophets often spoke against disturbances caused by social injustice and idolatry. Isaiah 57:20-21 states, "But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. 'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked'" . Here, the disturbance is metaphorical, representing the inner turmoil and lack of peace experienced by those who turn away from God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, disturbances are frequently associated with the spread of the Gospel and the resulting opposition. In Acts 17:6, the early Christians are accused of causing disturbances: "These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here" . The proclamation of the Gospel often disturbed the social and religious status quo, leading to conflict and persecution.

Jesus and Disturbance

Jesus Himself spoke of the disturbances that would accompany the end times. In Matthew 24:6, He warns, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but the end is still to come" . Here, Jesus acknowledges the inevitability of disturbances but encourages His followers to remain steadfast and untroubled.

Spiritual Disturbance

The New Testament also addresses spiritual disturbances within the church. In Galatians 1:7, Paul warns against those who "are trying to distort the gospel of Christ" , indicating that false teachings can disturb the faith and unity of believers. The apostle urges the church to remain vigilant against such disturbances to maintain doctrinal purity and spiritual peace.

Practical Implications

Believers are encouraged to seek peace and avoid causing unnecessary disturbances. Romans 12:18 advises, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone" . This exhortation underscores the importance of harmony and the avoidance of conflict within the Christian community and beyond.

In summary, the Bible presents disturbances as both challenges to be faced and opportunities for spiritual growth. Whether through external conflicts or internal struggles, believers are called to trust in God's sovereignty and seek His peace amidst life's disturbances.1. (v. t.) To throw into disorder or confusion; to derange; to interrupt the settled state of; to excite from a state of rest.

2. (v. t.) To agitate the mind of; to deprive of tranquility; to disquiet; to render uneasy; as, a person is disturbed by receiving an insult, or his mind is disturbed by envy.

3. (v. t.) To turn from a regular or designed course.

4. (n.) Disturbance.

5182. turbazo -- to disturb, to trouble.
... 5181, 5182. turbazo. 5183 . to disturb, to trouble. ... Word Origin from turbe
(disorder, confusion) Definition to disturb, to trouble. trouble. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5182.htm - 6k

4525. saino -- to wag the tail, hence to greet, flatter, disturb
... to wag the tail, hence to greet, flatter, disturb. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
saino Phonetic Spelling: (sah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I move, disturb ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4525.htm - 6k

2350. thorubeo -- to disturb
... to disturb. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: thorubeo Phonetic Spelling:
(thor-oo-beh'-o) Short Definition: I disturb greatly, terrify, strike with panic ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2350.htm - 6k

2350a. thorubazo -- to disturb
... to disturb. Transliteration: thorubazo Short Definition: bothered. Word Origin from
thorubos Definition to disturb NASB Word Usage bothered (1). 2350, 2350a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2350a.htm - 5k

3791. ochleo -- to disturb, trouble
... to disturb, trouble. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ochleo Phonetic Spelling:
(okh-leh'-o) Short Definition: I trouble, torment, worry Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3791.htm - 7k

1613. ektarasso -- to throw into great trouble
... to throw into great trouble. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ektarasso Phonetic
Spelling: (ek-tar-as'-so) Short Definition: I disturb greatly Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1613.htm - 6k

2360. throeo -- to be troubled
... to be troubled. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: throeo Phonetic Spelling:
(thro-eh'-o) Short Definition: I disturb, agitate Definition: I disturb, agitate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2360.htm - 6k

4531. saleuo -- to agitate, shake, by ext. to cast down
... down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: saleuo Phonetic Spelling: (sal-yoo'-
o) Short Definition: I shake, excite Definition: I shake, excite, disturb in mind ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4531.htm - 7k

1776. enochleo -- to crowd in, ie to annoy
... to crowd in, ie to annoy. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: enochleo Phonetic
Spelling: (en-okh-leh'-o) Short Definition: I disturb, cause tumult Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1776.htm - 7k

387. anastatoo -- to stir up, unsettle
... From a derivative of anistemi (in the sense of removal); properly, to drive out
of home, ie (by implication) to disturb (literally or figuratively) -- trouble ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/387.htm - 7k

926. bahal -- to disturb, terrify
... 925, 926. bahal. 927 . to disturb, terrify. Transliteration: bahal Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-hal') Short Definition: dismayed. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/926.htm - 6k

5916. akar -- to stir up, disturb, trouble
... 5915, 5916. akar. 5917 . to stir up, disturb, trouble. Transliteration: akar
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-kar') Short Definition: trouble. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5916.htm - 6k

7280a. raga -- to disturb
... to disturb. Transliteration: raga Short Definition: instant. ... root Definition to disturb
NASB Word Usage instant (2), moment (1), quieted (1), stirs (2). ...
/hebrew/7280a.htm - 5k

7280. raga' -- to disturb
... 7279, 7280. raga'. 7280a . to disturb. Transliteration: raga' Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-gah') Short Definition: break. break, divide ...
/hebrew/7280.htm - 5k

2000. hamam -- to make a noise, move noisily, confuse, discomfit
... discomfit NASB Word Usage brought (1), confounded (1), confuse (1), confused (1),
confusion (1), crushed (1), damage (1), destroy (1), disturb (1), routed (3 ...
/hebrew/2000.htm - 6k

5128. nua -- to quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter
... root Definition to quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter NASB Word Usage disturb
(1), moving (1), reels (1), scatter (1), set trembling (1), shake (4), shaken (4 ...
/hebrew/5128.htm - 6k

7561. rasha -- to be wicked, act wickedly
... A primitive root; to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb,
violate -- condemn, make trouble, vex, be (commit, deal, depart, do ...
/hebrew/7561.htm - 6k

2729. charad -- to tremble, be terrified
... root Definition to tremble, be terrified NASB Word Usage been careful (1), came
trembling (2), come trembling (2), disturb (2), frighten (3), frighten them ...
/hebrew/2729.htm - 6k

The Indiscreet Zeal of Souls, and the Disordinate Love of Our ...
... Penance. CHAP. III. The Indiscreet Zeal of Souls, and the disordinate Love
of our Neighbour, disturb internal Peace. 13. There is ...
/.../chap iii the indiscreet zeal.htm

Of the Anger of God, which Does not Inflame his Mind, nor Disturb ...
... Book XV. Chapter 25."Of the Anger of God, Which Does Not Inflame His Mind,
Nor Disturb His Unchangeable Tranquillity. The anger ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 25 of the anger of.htm

Of the Angels and Men who Sinned, and that their Wickedness did ...
... Book XIV. Chapter 27."Of the Angels and Men Who Sinned, and that Their
Wickedness Did Not Disturb the Order of God's Providence. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 27 of the angels and.htm

Submission and Peace
... or by other people's hints, is the talisman that brings to us, in all circumstances,
and in every part of our nature, a tranquillity which nothing can disturb. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/submission and peace.htm

Peace
... Some of the godly may not have so full a degree of peace. (1.) Through the fury
of temptation, though the devil cannot destroy us, he will disturb us. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/7 peace.htm

The Spiritual Guide which Disentangles the Soul
... Recollection, and instructing the Soul how it ought to behave it self therein, and
in the Spiritual Welfare, whereby the Devil endeavours to disturb it at that ...
/.../de molinos/the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/

Declaring the Nature of Internal Recollection, and Instructing the ...
... Recollection, and instructing the Soul how it ought to behave it self therein, and
in the Spiritual Welfare, whereby the Devil endeavours to disturb it at that ...
/.../chap xi declaring the nature.htm

Letter xxxiv. --Preparation for the Sacraments.
... But the devil tries to deceive people, and leaves nothing undone to disturb the
interior peace of the soul, for he well knows that once this divine peace is ...
/.../letter xxxiv preparation for the sacraments.htm

Epistle xxxiv. To John Bishop of Scyllacium .
... It is evidently a very serious thing, and contrary to what a priest should aim at,
to wish to disturb privileges formerly granted to any monastery, and to ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxxiv to john bishop.htm

The World Turned Upside Down
... It is true, they preached that which would disturb the sinful constitution of a
kingdom and which would disturb the evil practices of false priests, but they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the world turned upside down.htm

Disturb (12 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Disturbance. Multi-Version Concordance Disturb (12 Occurrences). ... (DBY).
Galatians 5:12 I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off. (WEB). ...
/d/disturb.htm - 10k

Epicureans (1 Occurrence)
... of wants, and in arriving at a state of independence of all circumstances, which
secures a peace of mind that the privations and changes of life cannot disturb...
/e/epicureans.htm - 20k

Trouble (477 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To put into confused motion; to disturb; to agitate. 2. (vt) To disturb;
to perplex; to afflict; to distress; to grieve; to fret; to annoy; to vex. ...
/t/trouble.htm - 36k

Disorder (6 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To disturb the order of; to derange or disarrange; to throw into
confusion; to confuse. 6. (vt) To disturb or interrupt ...
/d/disorder.htm - 8k

Stir (57 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To disturb the relative position of the particles of, as of a liquid, by
passing something through it; to agitate; as, to stir a pudding with a spoon. ...
/s/stir.htm - 25k

Disturbance (7 Occurrences)

/d/disturbance.htm - 8k

Violate (14 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To disturb; to interrupt. 4. (vt) To commit rape on; to ravish; to
outrage. Multi-Version Concordance Violate (14 Occurrences). ...
/v/violate.htm - 10k

Noise (126 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To sound; to make a noise. 6. (vt) To spread by rumor or report. 7. (vt)
To disturb with noise. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NOISE. ...
/n/noise.htm - 41k

Numenius
... the senate to the kings of Egypt, Syria and "all the countries," confirming the
integrity of Jewish territory, and forbidding these kings to disturb the Jews ...
/n/numenius.htm - 7k

Up (25836 Occurrences)
... Thus, eg in Psalm 39:2, we have `akhar, "to be troubled," "excited"; in Songs
2:7, `ur, "to awake," "disturb" (by the festal dances and songs). ...
/u/up.htm - 9k

What does the Bible say about finding peace of mind? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to vex / be vexed? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Moses in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Disturb: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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