Quaking, in the biblical context, often refers to a physical trembling or shaking that signifies fear, awe, or the presence of divine power. This phenomenon is frequently associated with the manifestation of God's presence or judgment and serves as a powerful symbol of human response to the divine.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, quaking is often depicted as a reaction to theophanies, where God's presence is revealed in a dramatic and awe-inspiring manner. One of the most notable instances occurs at Mount Sinai during the giving of the Law. Exodus 19:18 describes this event: "Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently." Here, the quaking of the mountain underscores the holiness and power of God, instilling fear and reverence in the Israelites.

Another significant occurrence is found in the book of Habakkuk. The prophet describes a vision of God's coming in judgment, where the earth responds with trembling: "He stood and measured the earth; He looked and startled the nations. The ancient mountains crumbled; the perpetual hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting" (Habakkuk 3:6). The quaking of the earth symbolizes the overwhelming power of God and the inevitable submission of creation to His will.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, quaking continues to be a sign of divine intervention. At the crucifixion of Jesus, the earth itself responds to the momentous event. Matthew 27:51 records, "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 quaking signifies the profound spiritual significance of Christ's sacrifice, marking the end of the old covenant and the establishment of a new way to approach God.

Additionally, in Acts 16:26 , an earthquake occurs as Paul and Silas pray and sing hymns in 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 miraculous event not only demonstrates God's power to deliver His servants but also serves as a catalyst for the conversion of the jailer and his household.

Symbolism and Interpretation

Quaking in the Bible is often symbolic of the human response to God's majesty and authority. It reflects the natural world's reaction to the Creator's presence and serves as a reminder of His ultimate control over all creation. The physical trembling experienced by individuals or the earth itself is a manifestation of the fear and reverence due to God.

From a theological perspective, quaking can also be seen as a call to repentance and humility. It reminds believers of the need to approach God with a contrite heart, acknowledging His power and seeking His mercy. The quaking of the earth at pivotal moments in biblical history underscores the transformative impact of God's actions and the necessity of aligning oneself with His divine purposes.

In summary, quaking in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that conveys the awe-inspiring presence of God, the response of creation to His power, and the call for humanity to recognize and submit to His authority.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Quake.

2. (a. & n.) from Quake.

5156. tromos -- trembling, quaking
... trembling, quaking. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: tromos Phonetic
Spelling: (trom'-os) Short Definition: a trembling Definition: a trembling ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5156.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

7268. raggaz -- quivering, quaking
... 7267, 7268. raggaz. 7269 . quivering, quaking. Transliteration: raggaz
Phonetic Spelling: (rag-gawz') Short Definition: trembling. ...
/hebrew/7268.htm - 6k

7269. rogzah -- a quivering, quaking
... 7268, 7269. rogzah. 7270 . a quivering, quaking. Transliteration: rogzah Phonetic
Spelling: (rog-zaw') Short Definition: quivering. Word Origin fem. ...
/hebrew/7269.htm - 6k

2731. charadah -- trembling, fear, anxiety
... fear, quaking, trembling. Feminine of chared; fear, anxiety -- care, X exceedingly,
fear, quaking, trembling. see HEBREW chared. 2730b, 2731. charadah. 2732 ...
/hebrew/2731.htm - 6k

1608. Gaash -- a mountain in Ephraim
... Gaash. From ga'ash; a quaking; Gaash, a hill in Palestine -- Gaash. see HEBREW
ga'ash. 1607, 1608. Gaash. 1609 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1608.htm - 6k

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 ...
/hebrew/7493.htm - 6k

Affecting Incident at Sea.
... Moody's Love and Prayer for 700 "Quaking Souls." ... "But as night approached I gathered
those 700 quaking souls together and we held a prayer meeting. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/affecting incident at sea.htm

Life of Bunyan
... He would dream that the last day had come, and that the quaking earth was opening
its mouth to let him down to hell; or he would find himself in the grasp of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hamilton/life of bunyan/life of bunyan.htm

Caesar Fell Down.
... Since Claudius was discovered quaking for fear behind a curtain, and dragged out
to sit upon the throne which his nephew Caius had hastily vacated, after ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter ii caesar fell down.htm

The True Doctrine is to be Sought in the Prophets.
... wax melteth before the fire!" [935] This, says he, is the God "whose throne is heaven,
and His footstool the earth; and if He open heaven, quaking will seize ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter viii the true doctrine is.htm

"That those Grievously Sin who Despise or Neglect God's Gracious ...
... children. Thus Moses confesses that "he was filled with quaking and terror"
[959] while he listened to God speaking concerning the Word. ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ix that those grievously sin.htm

Troubles in Paris
... Du Corneau [sic] avowed afterwards that he was quaking with fright; but Vincent,
though wet to the skin, scarcely seemed to notice that all was not as usual ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 10 troubles in paris.htm

Gradual Development of Custom, and Its Results. Passionate Appeal ...
... therefore chaste virgins to be, for the sake of these marketable creatures, dragged
into the church, blushing at being recognised in public, quaking at being ...
/.../on the veiling of virgins/chapter iii gradual development of custom.htm

There is a Blessedness in Reversion
... Sermon on the Mount as the Law was delivered on the mount, with commands and
threatenings, the trumpet sounding, the fire flaming, the earth quaking, and the ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/2 there is a blessedness.htm

Circumstances and Consequences
... securely chained. What an illustration of the quaking fears which hinder
definite action in regard to spiritual blessings! 1. A ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/viii circumstances and consequences.htm

Conflicts of the Church with Public Wrongs.
... notwithstanding that there were few congregations in which there were not sore
consciences to be irritated or political anxieties to be set quaking by them. ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xvi conflicts of the.htm

Quaking (6 Occurrences)
...Quaking (6 Occurrences). Acts 7:32 "'I am the God of your forefathers, the God of
Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.' "Quaking with fear Moses did not dare gaze. ...
/q/quaking.htm - 8k

Trembling (72 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ezekiel 12:18 Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink your water
with trembling and with fearfulness; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/t/trembling.htm - 29k

Quaketh (4 Occurrences)

/q/quaketh.htm - 7k

Qualified (5 Occurrences)

/q/qualified.htm - 8k

Quivering (2 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV DBY). Ezekiel 12:18 Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink
your water with trembling and with fearfulness; (See NAS). ...
/q/quivering.htm - 7k

Gaze (46 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Acts 7:32 "'I am the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, of
Isaac, and of Jacob.' "Quaking with fear Moses did not dare gaze. (WEY). ...
/g/gaze.htm - 19k

Forefathers (135 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Acts 7:32 "'I am the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, of
Isaac, and of Jacob.' "Quaking with fear Moses did not dare gaze. (WEY). ...
/f/forefathers.htm - 36k

Fearfulness (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 12:18 Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink your water
with trembling and with fearfulness; (WEB ASV RSV). Ezekiel ...
/f/fearfulness.htm - 8k

Ten (234 Occurrences)
... It is no wonder that the people trembled as they faced the smoking and quaking
mount, and listened to the high demands of a holy God. ...
/t/ten.htm - 60k

Blackness (13 Occurrences)
... The fearful judgment against sin under the old dispensation is illustrated by the
appalling blackness that enveloped smoking, burning, quaking Sinai at the ...
/b/blackness.htm - 12k

Quaking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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