Topical Bible: Shaken

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of being "shaken" in the Bible often symbolizes instability, fear, or divine intervention. It is used both literally and metaphorically to describe physical trembling, emotional distress, or the upheaval of nations and spiritual realms. The term appears in various contexts throughout Scripture, illustrating the power and sovereignty of God, as well as the frailty of human strength and institutions.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the imagery of shaking is frequently associated with God's judgment and the manifestation of His power. For instance, in Psalm 18:7 , the earth is described as shaking and quaking in response to God's anger: "Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger." This passage highlights the divine response to human sin and the overwhelming presence of God.

The shaking of the earth is also a sign of God's deliverance and protection for His people. In Exodus 19:18 , Mount Sinai is described as being "shaken violently" when God descends upon it in fire, signifying His covenant with Israel and His holiness: "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."

Prophetic Literature

Prophets often used the imagery of shaking to convey messages of impending judgment or transformation. In Isaiah 13:13 , the prophet speaks of a future time when God will shake the heavens and the earth as part of His judgment against Babylon: "Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken from its place at the wrath of the LORD of Hosts, in the day of His burning anger."

Similarly, Haggai 2:6-7 speaks of a future shaking that will lead to the desired transformation and the coming of God's glory: "For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and they will come with all their treasures, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD of Hosts."

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of being shaken is often linked to the coming of God's kingdom and the fulfillment of His promises. Hebrews 12:26-27 references the shaking at Mount Sinai and contrasts it with a future shaking that will remove what is temporary, leaving only what is eternal: "At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, 'Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.' The words, 'Once more,' signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain."

The shaking of the earth at the crucifixion of Jesus is another significant event, symbolizing the cosmic impact of His sacrifice. 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 event signifies the breaking of the barrier between God and humanity, as well as the profound spiritual shift brought about by Christ's atoning death.

Spiritual Implications

The theme of being shaken serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly things and the enduring stability found in God alone. Believers are encouraged to build their lives on the unshakable foundation of faith in Christ. In 2 Thessalonians 2:2 , Paul advises the church not to be easily shaken in mind or alarmed by false teachings: "not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by any spirit or message or letter seeming to be from us, alleging that the day of the Lord has already come."

Ultimately, the biblical concept of being shaken underscores the call to trust in God's eternal kingdom, which cannot be shaken, and to remain steadfast in faith amidst the uncertainties of life.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (p. p.) of Shake.

2. (a.) Caused to shake; agitated; as, a shaken bough.

3. (a.) Cracked or checked; split. See Shake.

4. (n.) Impaired, as by a shock.

Greek

4531. saleuo -- to agitate, shake, by ext. to cast down
... by ext. to cast down NASB Word Usage agitating (1), shake (1), shaken
(11), shaken together (1), shook (1). shake, stir up. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4531.htm - 7k

761. asaleutos -- unmoved
... Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and saleuo Definition unmoved NASB
Word Usage cannot be shaken (1), immovable (1). immovable. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/761.htm - 7k

4579. seio -- to shake
... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to shake NASB Word Usage shake (1),
shaken (1), shook (2), stirred (1). move, quake, shake. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4579.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

7934. shaken -- inhabitant, neighbor
... 7933, 7934. shaken. 7935 . inhabitant, neighbor. Transliteration: shaken Phonetic
Spelling: (shaw-kane') Short Definition: neighbors. ... shaken. 7935 . ...
/hebrew/7934.htm - 6k

7931. shakan -- to settle down, abide, dwell
shakan or shaken. 7930, 7931. shakan or shaken. 7932 . to settle down,
abide, dwell. Transliteration: shakan or shaken Phonetic ...
/hebrew/7931.htm - 6k

4131. mot -- to totter, shake, slip
... 4130, 4131. mot. 4132 . to totter, shake, slip. Transliteration: mot Phonetic
Spelling: (mote) Short Definition: shaken. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/4131.htm - 6k

5287. naar -- to shake, shake out or off
... root Definition to shake, shake out or off NASB Word Usage lose (1), overthrew
(2), shake (2), shake free (1), shaken (2), shaken off (1), shakes (1), shook (1 ...
/hebrew/5287.htm - 6k

1607. gaash -- to shake, quake
... 1606, 1607. gaash. 1608 . to shake, quake. Transliteration: gaash Phonetic
Spelling: (gaw-ash') Short Definition: shaken. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/1607.htm - 6k

5086. nadaph -- to drive, drive asunder
... drive away, to and fro, thrust down, shaken, tossed to and fro. A primitive
root; to shove asunder, ie Disperse -- drive (away, to ...
/hebrew/5086.htm - 6k

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

5296. neoreth -- tow (for making thread)
... tow. From na'ar; something shaken out, ie Tow (as the refuse of flax) -- tow. see
HEBREW na'ar. 5295, 5296. neoreth. 5297 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5296.htm - 6k

7485. Raamyah -- perhaps "thunder of Yah," an Israelite who ...
... who returned with Zerubbabel NASB Word Usage Raamiah (1). Raamiah. From ra'am and
Yahh; Jah has shaken; Raamjah, an Israelite -- Raamiah. see HEBREW ra'am. ...
/hebrew/7485.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

Library

I See! the Gates of Hades Shaken;
... EASTER I See! the gates of hades shaken; 8,7,8,7,8,8 'Epi tes theias phulakes. ...
See! the gates of hades shaken; Burst asunder is the prison; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/i see the gates of.htm

Things that Cannot be Shaken
... Chapter 11 Things That Cannot Be Shaken. "And this word, Yet once more,
signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 11 things that cannot.htm

The Present Distress of Nations.
... hearts failing them with fear, and for looking after those things which are coming
to pass on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21:25 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/6 the present distress of.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 48,"When Thou Wast under the ...
... He was made the Head of the corner." [3644] He is the Stone of which Himself said,
"Whosoever shall stumble against This Stone shall be shaken; but on ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxii on the words.htm

Preface.
... forbid, indeed, that any one should be found who, after having been a partaker in
such a love of God as was (displayed) in Christ Jesus, could be shaken in his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/preface.htm

Fortitude Comes from the Love of God.
... Lest this bond should be shaken and disturbed, the soul is shaken with the fear
of toil and pain; lest it should be lost and destroyed, the soul is shaken with ...
/.../chapter 22 name comes from.htm

Epistle Xlv. To Theoctista, Patrician .
... A reed shaken with the wind? (Matth. ... For we, if we are lifted up by praises,
or cast down by revilings, are a reed shaken with the wind. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xlv to theoctista patrician.htm

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth (Preached at the Chapel ...
... And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken,
as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon vi the shaking of.htm

On the Same Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 42
... Yea, not despised only, but slain moreover. He was that stone that lay on
the ground, the Jews stumbled against it, and were shaken. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xlii on the same.htm

Of the Sixth Seal.
... by Constantine the Great and his successors, the standard-bearers of the Lamb is
represented; that is to say, all the gods of the Gentiles, shaken from their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the sixth seal.htm

Thesaurus

Shaken (62 Occurrences)
... 1. (pp) of Shake. 2. (a.) Caused to shake; agitated; as, a shaken bough. 3. (a.)
Cracked or checked; split. ... Multi-Version Concordance Shaken (62 Occurrences). ...
/s/shaken.htm - 24k

Foundations (49 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the
prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's ...
/f/foundations.htm - 21k

Shook (33 Occurrences)
... The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry. ... The foundations
also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was angry. ...
/s/shook.htm - 16k

Powers (43 Occurrences)
... days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will
fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; (WEB KJV ASV ...
/p/powers.htm - 20k

Bodies (144 Occurrences)
... those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars
will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; (See NIV ...
/b/bodies.htm - 37k

Stars (64 Occurrences)
... days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will
fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; (WEB KJV WEY ...
/s/stars.htm - 29k

Shake (68 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 22:8 Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked
and were shaken, because he was angry. ... The people are shaken and pass away. ...
/s/shake.htm - 28k

Reed (41 Occurrences)
... (6) kalamos, "a reed shaken with the wind ... A reed shaken by the wind? (WEB KJV WEY
ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 12:20 He won't break a bruised reed. ...
/r/reed.htm - 29k

Earth (10501 Occurrences)
... a shaking of "not the earth only, but also the heaven." This shaking, in its reference
to heaven as well as to earth, signifies a removal of the things shaken. ...
/e/earth.htm - 26k

Lap (12 Occurrences)
... my lap (chotsen), and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from
his labor, that performeth not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and ...
/l/lap.htm - 15k

Resources

What does it mean that “no weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Hebrew word shalom? | GotQuestions.org

Who is the desired of all nations (Haggai 2:7)? | GotQuestions.org

Shaken: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Shaken (62 Occurrences)

Matthew 11:7
As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Matthew 24:29
But immediately after the oppression of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken;
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 27:51
And lo, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom, and the earth was shaken, and the rocks were rent,
(DBY)

Mark 13:25
the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 6:38
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 7:24
When John's messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Luke 21:26
men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 2:25
For David says in reference to Him, "'I constantly fixed my eyes upon the Lord, because He is at my right hand in order that I may continue unshaken.
(Root in WEY NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 4:31
When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 13:51
But they, having shaken off the dust of their feet against them, came to Iconium.
(DBY YLT)

Acts 16:26
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were loosened.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 18:6
and on their resisting and speaking evil, having shaken 'his' garments, he said unto them, 'Your blood 'is' upon your head -- I am clean; henceforth to the nations I will go on.'
(YLT)

Acts 28:5
He however, having shaken off the beast into the fire, felt no harm.
(DBY YLT)

2 Thessalonians 2:2
not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of Christ had come.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Hebrews 12:27
This phrase, "Yet once more," signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,
(WEB WEY ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 6:13
The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 28:21
The woman came to Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said to him, "Behold, your handmaid has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.
(See NIV)

2 Samuel 22:8
Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS)

1 Kings 14:15
For Yahweh will strike Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water; and he will root up Israel out of this good land which he gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the River, because they have made their Asherim, provoking Yahweh to anger.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

2 Kings 19:21
This is the word that Yahweh has spoken concerning him: "The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you. The daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS)

Nehemiah 5:13
Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that doesn't perform this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. All the assembly said, Amen, and praised Yahweh. The people did according to this promise.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 16:12
I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.
(KJV DBY WBS NAS)

Job 34:20
In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Job 38:13
That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Psalms 10:6
He says in his heart, "I shall not be shaken. For generations I shall have no trouble."
(WEB)

Psalms 13:4
Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him;" Lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall.
(See NAS RSV)

Psalms 15:5
he who doesn't lend out his money for usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be shaken.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Psalms 16:8
I have set the LORD always before me; surely He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
(See NAS NIV)

Psalms 18:7
Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS)

Psalms 21:7
For the king trusteth in the LORD, yea, in the mercy of the Most High; he shall not be moved.
(See NAS NIV)

Psalms 30:6
Now I had said in my security: 'I shall never be moved.'
(See NIV)

Psalms 46:2
Therefore we won't be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;
(WEB ASV)

Psalms 55:22
Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
(See NAS)

Psalms 62:2
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress-- I will never be greatly shaken.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Psalms 62:6
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be shaken.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 68:8
The earth hath shaken, Yea, the heavens have dropped before God, This Sinai -- before God, the God of Israel.
(YLT)

Psalms 82:5
They don't know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 104:5
He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forever.
(See RSV)

Psalms 109:23
I fade away like an evening shadow. I am shaken off like a locust.
(WEB JPS NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 112:6
For he will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Psalms 125:1
They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
(See NIV)

Proverbs 10:30
The righteous shall never be moved; but the wicked shall not inhabit the land.
(See NAS)

Isaiah 7:2
And it was told the house of David saying, Syria is allied with Ephraim. Then his heart and the heart of his people shook, as the trees of the forest are shaken with the wind.
(DBY NIV)

Isaiah 13:13
Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place in the wrath of Yahweh of Armies, and in the day of his fierce anger.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Isaiah 23:11
He has stretched out his hand over the sea. He has shaken the kingdoms. Yahweh has ordered the destruction of Canaan's strongholds.
(WEB JPS ASV RSV)

Isaiah 24:18
And it hath come to pass, He who is fleeing from the noise of the fear Doth fall into the snare, And he who is coming up from the midst of the snare, Is captured by the gin, For windows on high have been opened, And shaken are foundations of the land.
(YLT)

Isaiah 24:19
The earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 24:20
The earth reeleth to and fro like a drunkard, and is shaken like a night hut; and its transgression is heavy upon it; and it falleth and shall not rise again.
(DBY)

Isaiah 37:22
this is the word which Yahweh has spoken concerning him. The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you. The daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS)

Isaiah 54:10
For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall My covenant of peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath compassion on thee.
(See NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 25:16
And they have drunk, and shaken themselves and shewn themselves foolish, because of the sword that I am sending among them.
(YLT)

Jeremiah 49:21
From the noise of their fall hath the earth shaken, The cry -- at the sea of Suph is its voice heard.
(YLT)

Jeremiah 50:46
From the voice: Captured was Babylon, Hath the earth been shaken, And a cry among nations hath been heard!
(YLT NAS)

Jeremiah 51:38
Together as young lions they roar, They have shaken themselves as lions' whelps.
(YLT)

Joel 2:10
At their face trembled hath the earth, Shaken have the heavens, Sun and moon have been black, And stars have gathered up their shining.
(YLT)

Joel 3:16
And Jehovah from Zion doth roar, And from Jerusalem giveth forth His voice, And shaken have the heavens and earth, And Jehovah 'is' a refuge to his people, And a stronghold to sons of Israel.
(YLT)

Amos 9:9
For lo, I am commanding, And I have shaken among all the nations the house of Israel, As 'one' doth shake with a sieve, And there falleth not a grain 'to' the earth.
(YLT NAS NIV)

Nahum 1:5
Mountains have shaken because of Him, And the hills have been melted; And lifted up 'is' the earth at His presence, And the world and all dwelling in it.
(YLT)

Nahum 3:12
All your fortresses will be like fig trees with the first-ripe figs: if they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Haggai 2:7
And I have shaken all the nations, And they have come 'to' the desire of all the nations, And I have filled this house 'with' honour, Said Jehovah of Hosts.
(YLT)

Zechariah 11:16
For lo, I am raising up a shepherd in the land, The cut off he doth not inspect, The shaken off he doth not seek, And the broken he doth not heal, The standing he doth not sustain, And the flesh of the fat he doth eat, And their hoofs he doth break off.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Shaken

Related Terms

Shakes (11 Occurrences)

Troubler (5 Occurrences)

Shaken (62 Occurrences)

Fate (138 Occurrences)