An earthquake is a natural phenomenon characterized by the shaking of the earth's surface, resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere. In the Bible, earthquakes are often depicted as manifestations of God's power and are sometimes associated with divine judgment or significant events in salvation history.

Biblical Occurrences:

1. Mount Sinai: One of the earliest mentions of an earthquake in the Bible occurs during the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Exodus 19:18 states, "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 event underscores the majesty and holiness of God as He establishes His covenant with Israel.

2. Korah's Rebellion: In Numbers 16, the earth opens up and swallows Korah and his followers as a judgment from God. Numbers 16:31-32 records, "As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions."

3. Elijah at Mount Horeb: In 1 Kings 19:11-12 , Elijah experiences an earthquake as part of a series of natural phenomena demonstrating God's presence: "Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."

4. The Crucifixion of Jesus: A significant earthquake occurs at the moment of Jesus' death, symbolizing the cosmic significance of His sacrifice. Matthew 27:51-54 describes, "At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split. The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, 'Truly this was the Son of God!'"

5. The Resurrection of Jesus: Another earthquake is recorded at the resurrection of Jesus. Matthew 28:2 states, "Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it." This event marks the triumph of Christ over death and the grave.

6. Paul and Silas in Prison: In Acts 16:26 , an earthquake serves as a divine intervention to free 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."

Symbolism and Prophetic Significance:

In biblical literature, earthquakes often symbolize God's direct intervention in human affairs, serving as a sign of His power and authority. They are frequently associated with theophanies, divine judgments, and eschatological events. For instance, in the prophetic literature, earthquakes are depicted as part of the apocalyptic imagery surrounding the Day of the Lord. Isaiah 29:6 declares, "You will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and storm and a flame of consuming fire."

The Book of Revelation also features earthquakes as part of the end-times narrative. Revelation 6:12 describes, "And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake. The sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red."

Theological Implications:

Earthquakes in the Bible serve as reminders of God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to use natural events to fulfill His purposes. They call believers to recognize the power and majesty of God, to live in reverence and awe, and to trust in His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.Earthquake

Earthquakes, more or less violent, are of frequent occurrence in Palestine. The most remarkable occurred in the reign of Uzziah. (Zechariah 14:5) From (Zechariah 14:4) we are led to infer that a great convulsion took place at this time in the Mount of Olives, the mountain being split so as to leave a valley between its summit. An earthquake occurred at the time of our Saviour's crucifixion. (Matthew 27:51-54) Earthquakes are not unfrequently accompanied by fissures of the earth's surface; instances of this are recorded in connection with the destruction of Korah and his company, (Numbers 16:32) and at the time of our Lord's death, (Matthew 27:51) the former may be paralleled by a similar occurrence at Oppido in Calabria A.D. 1783, where the earth opened to the extent of five hundred and a depth of more than two hundred feet.

Earthquake

A convulsion of the earth common in volcanic regions, and well known in all parts of the world; probably occasioned by the action of internal heat or fire. Scripture speaks of several earthquakes, Numbers 16:1-50 1 Kings 19:11,12. One occurred in the twenty-seventh year of Uzziah king of Judah, and is mentioned in Am 1:1 Zec 14:5. A very memorable earthquake was that at our Savior's death, Matthew 27:51, which some suppose extended throughout the world. Palestine has been often visited by earthquakes. So late as 1837 one occurred in the vicinity of the Sea of Galilee, by which about a third part of Tiberias was destroyed, and thousands of people perished there and in the towns near by. Earthquakes were among the calamities foretold as connected with the destruction of Jerusalem, Matthew 24:7; and history proves the truth of the prediction.

The word earthquake is also used figuratively to denote God's power and wrath, as in Psalm 18:7 46:2:104:32, etc.; and as an emblem of a great civil or national catastrophe, Matthew 24:7,29 Revelation 16:18,19.

Mentioned among the extraordinary phenomena of Palestine (Psalm 18:7; Comp. Habakkuk 3:6; Nahum 1:5; Isaiah 5:25).

The first earthquake in Palestine of which we have any record happened in the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 19:11, 12). Another took place in the days of Uzziah, King of Judah (Zechariah 14:5). The most memorable earthquake taking place in New Testament times happened at the crucifixion of our Lord (Matthew 27:54). An earthquake at Philippi shook the prison in which Paul and Silas were imprisoned (Acts 16:26).

It is used figuratively as a token of the presence of the Lord (Judges 5:4; 2 Samuel 22:8; Psalm 77:18; 97:4; 104:32).

1. (n.) A shaking, trembling, or concussion of the earth, due to subterranean causes, often accompanied by a rumbling noise. The wave of shock sometimes traverses half a hemisphere, destroying cities and many thousand lives; -- called also earthdin, earthquave, and earthshock.

2. (a.) Like, or characteristic of, an earthquake; loud; starling.

EARTHQUAKE

urth'-kwak (ra`ash; seismos):

1. Earthquakes in Palestine: The last earthquake which worked any damage in Palestine and Syria occurred in 1837, and destroyed the village of Safed, near Mt. Hermon, and was felt even all the way to Hebron. Since that time a few feeble shocks have been felt but no damage was done. The region is just on the edge of the great earthquake circle whose center is in Armenia, and is liable to earthquakes. The large number of references in the Bible to earthquakes, and the evident fear in the minds of the people of those times, would seem to indicate that they were more frequent in Bible times than recently.

2. Causes of Earthquakes: There are three main causes of earthquakes:

(1) Earthslips. In the slow process of cooling, the crust of the earth tends to wrinkle and fold as it contracts. This causes a stress to be set up in the strata composing the crust. If the strata are too rigid to bend there must come after a time a break or fault. The shock caused by the break, which is usually several miles below the surface of the earth, is an earthquake, and it spreads in the form of earth waves from the break as center. Seismographs in all parts of the world are now adjusted to receive the waves even though the origin is on the opposite side of the earth.

(2) Explosion of Steam or Gases under the Surface. Some earthquakes, especially those underneath the sea, are thought to be caused by water seeping through the soil and rocks and finding its way to the heated masses below. Steam is formed and if there is no escape for it, an explosion takes place whose force is felt on the surface.

(3) Volcanic. As earthquakes are of common occurrence in volcanic regions it seems likely that there is some connection between the two, but the relation has not been fully traced. It may be that the second cause is the origin of both the volcano and earthquake.

See further, DELUGE OF NOAH.

3. Earthquakes in Jerusalem: Many destructive earthquakes have been recorded in the history of Syria, but they have been mostly in the north, in the region of Aleppo. Jerusalem itself has seldom been affected by earthquakes. The Hauran beyond the Jordan is covered with volcanic remains and signs of violent shocks, and the cities on the coast have suffered much, but Jerusalem on the higher ground between has usually escaped with little destruction.

4. Earthquakes in Scripture: A number of earthquakes are mentioned in the Scriptures: (1) At Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18); (2) Korah and companions destroyed in fissure and sinking ground (Numbers 16:31 Ant, IV, iii, 3); (3) in the Philistine camp in the days of Saul (1 Samuel 14:15); (4) after Elijah's flight (1 Kings 19:11); (5) in the reign of Uzziah, between 790 and 740 B.C. (Amos 1:1); Zechariah 14:5 probably refers to the same (Ant., IX, x, 4); (6) at Christ's death (Matthew 27:51-54); (7) at Christ's resurrection (Matthew 28:2); (8) at Philippi when Paul and Silas were freed from prison (Acts 16:26). Most of these shocks seem to have been slight and caused little loss of life. Josephus mentions one in the reign of Herod, "such as had not happened at any other time, which was very destructive to men and cattle" (Ant., XV, v, 2). Professor G. A. Smith in his recent work on Jerusalem is of the opinion that earthquakes were sufficiently frequent and strong to account for the appearance and disappearance of Nehemiah's Fountain (Jerus, I, 74). The Hebrew ra`ash is commonly used to mean a great noise. Large earthquakes are sometimes accompanied by a rumbling noise, but as a rule they come silently and without warning.

5. Symbolic Use: In the Scriptures earthquakes are mentioned as tokens of God's power (Job 9:6) and of His presence and anger (Psalm 68:8; Psalm 18:7 Isaiah 13:13): "She shall be visited of Yahweh of hosts. with earthquake, and great noise" (Isaiah 29:6); also as a sign of Christ's "coming, and of the end of the world" (Matthew 24:3-7). See also Revelation 11:13, 19; Revelation 16:18.

LITERATURE. Milne, Earthquakes (Inter. Scient. series); Plumptre, Biblical Studies, 136; Dutton, Earthquakes.

Alfred H. Joy

4578. seismos -- a commotion, shaking
... a commotion, shaking. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: seismos Phonetic
Spelling: (sice-mos') Short Definition: an earthquake, storm Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4578.htm - 6k7494. raash -- a quaking, shaking
... 7493, 7494. raash. 7495 . a quaking, shaking. Transliteration: raash
Phonetic Spelling: (rah'-ash) Short Definition: earthquake. ...
/hebrew/7494.htm - 6k

4831. Maralah -- a place on the border of Zebulun
... Maralah. From ra'al; perhaps, earthquake; Maralah, a place in Palestine -- Maralah.
see HEBREW ra'al. 4830, 4831. Maralah. 4832 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4831.htm - 6k

6480. patsam -- to split open
... root Definition to split open NASB Word Usage split it open (1). break. A primitive
root; to rend (by earthquake) -- break. 6479, 6480. patsam. 6481 . ...
/hebrew/6480.htm - 5k

6389. Peleg -- a son of Eber
... Word Origin from palag Definition a son of Eber NASB Word Usage Peleg (7). Peleg.
The same as peleg; earthquake; Peleg, a son of Shem -- Peleg. see HEBREW peleg ...
/hebrew/6389.htm - 6k

The Earthquake at Madeley
... Chapter 16. Windsor Park; Wesley as Art Critic; Glasgow and Perth; At 70,
Wesley Preaches to 30,000 People The Earthquake at Madeley. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the earthquake at madeley.htm

The Earthquake
... BOOK IV CHAPTER XLVI THE EARTHQUAKE. Ktupese men Zeus chthonios, hai de
parthenoi rhigesan hos ekousan."Sophocles, OEd. Col.1606. ...
/.../chapter xlvi the earthquake.htm

The Earthquake.
... CHAPTER XLVI. The Earthquake. ... Dead persons were walking about, and many walls and
buildings had been shaken by the earthquake, and parts of them fallen down. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xlvi the earthquake.htm

Imitation of an Earthquake.
... Book IV. Chapter XXXIX."Imitation of an Earthquake. The sensation of an
earthquake they cause in such a way, as that all things ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxxix imitation of an earthquake.htm

On the Earthquake. September 8, 1775
... FAST-DAY HYMNS. Hymn 68 On the earthquake. September 8, 1775. John Newton
8,6,8,6. On the earthquake. September 8, 1775. Although on massy pillars built,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 68 on the earthquake.htm

The Earthquake.
... HIS RESURRECTION. SUNDAY"THE DAY OF RESURRECTION THE EARTHQUAKE. And behold,
there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the earthquake.htm

The Earthquake (Preached October 11, 1863. )
... SERMON XV. THE EARTHQUAKE (Preached October 11, 1863.). ... Indeed, the burning mountains
seem to be outlets, by which the earthquake force is carried off. ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xv the earthquake preached.htm

Phenomena Accompanying the Death of Christ: the Earthquake the ...
... CHAPTER VII. THE CRUCIFIXION. Section 293. Phenomena accompanying the Death of Christ:
the Earthquake the Darkness; the Rending of the Temple-veil. ...
/.../section 293 phenomena accompanying the.htm

The Emperor Purposed, on Account of the Heresy of Aetius and the ...
... The Emperor purposed, on account of the Heresy of A?�tius and the Innovations in
Antioch, to convene a Council at Nicomedia; but as an Earthquake took place in ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xvi the emperor purposed on.htm

While Valens Persecutes the Orthodox Christians in the East, a ...
... Valens persecutes the Orthodox Christians in the East, a Usurper arises at
Constantinople named Procopius: and at the Same Time an Earthquake and Inundation ...
/.../chapter iii while valens persecutes the.htm

Earthquake (17 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 3:6; Nahum 1:5; Isaiah 5:25). The first earthquake in Palestine of which
we have any record happened in the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 19:11, 12). ...
/e/earthquake.htm - 18k

Severe (53 Occurrences)
... Matthew 28:2 Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended
from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat ...
/s/severe.htm - 23k

Lightnings (17 Occurrences)
... There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake. (WEB KJV ASV DBY
WBS YLT). ... Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed. ...
/l/lightnings.htm - 11k

Thunders (20 Occurrences)
... There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake. (WEB ASV BBE DBY
YLT). ... Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed. ...
/t/thunders.htm - 12k

Rumblings (4 Occurrences)
... There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake. (See NIV). ... Lightnings,
sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed. (See NIV). ...
/r/rumblings.htm - 7k

Sounds (64 Occurrences)
... There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake. (WEB NAS). ... Lightnings,
sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed. (WEB NAS). ...
/s/sounds.htm - 26k

Voices (76 Occurrences)
... took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth:
and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. ...
/v/voices.htm - 29k

Lightning (49 Occurrences)
... There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake. ... Lightnings,
sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed. ...
/l/lightning.htm - 24k

Occurred (23 Occurrences)
... Matthew 28:2 Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended
from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat ...
/o/occurred.htm - 12k

Flashes (16 Occurrences)
... and filled it with fire from the altar and flung it to the earth; and there followed
peals of thunder, and voices, and flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. ...
/f/flashes.htm - 11k

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