Lexical Summary entromos: Trembling, terrified, afraid Original Word: ἔντρομος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance quake, tremble. From en and tromos; terrified -- X quake, X trembled. see GREEK en see GREEK tromos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and tromos Definition terrified NASB Translation shook with fear (1), trembling (1), trembling with fear (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1790: ἔντρομοςἔντρομος, ἐντρομον (τρόμος, cf. ἔμφοβος), trembling, terrified: Acts 7:32 and Topical Lexicon Occurrences in the New Testament“I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” The term appears at three decisive moments where human beings encounter the awesome reality of God’s presence, power, or intervening grace. Connection to Divine Presence In both Acts 7:32 and Hebrews 12:21 the trembling belongs to Moses in the context of the Sinai and burning-bush revelations. The physical reaction underscores that God’s holiness is not an abstract doctrine but an experiential reality that overwhelms finite creatures. Trembling, therefore, is not merely fear of danger; it is the body’s response to the unveiled majesty of the covenant-making Lord. Trembling and Conversion Acts 16:29 places the same response in a Gentile setting. The Philippian jailer, faced with a miraculous earthquake and the unexpected mercy of Paul and Silas, is shaken to the core. His trembling precedes the question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). The sequence—divine intervention, trembling, inquiry, faith—illustrates how God prepares hearts for the gospel. Trembling becomes the threshold between spiritual blindness and saving belief. Trembling in Covenant Revelation Hebrews 12 contrasts Mount Sinai with Mount Zion, urging believers not to refuse the One who speaks from heaven. Moses’ trembling is cited to remind the church that the new covenant, though gracious, is not less weighty than the old. Reverent fear is compatible with confident access to God through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:24-28). Thus trembling remains a valid response even under grace, guarding against casual irreverence. Theological and Devotional Implications 1. Holiness and Humility: The passages link trembling with an acute awareness of God’s holiness (Exodus 3; Hebrews 12). Believers approach God with boldness (Hebrews 4:16) yet never with presumption. 2. Fear and Faith: Biblical fear is not paralyzing dread but a reverent awe that drives one toward God’s mercy, as seen in the jailer’s conversion. 3. Eschatological Sobriety: Hebrews 12:25-29 connects trembling with the coming shaking of all created things. A church that trembles now will stand firm when God shakes the cosmos. Historical Context In first-century Greco-Roman culture, trembling was often interpreted as a sign of divine encounter, whether with gods or emperors. Luke’s use in Acts accentuates that the true God, not pagan deities, evokes authentic trembling. Jewish audiences familiar with Septuagint narratives would recognize the term’s Old Testament resonance, strengthening Stephen’s argument in Acts 7 and the preacher’s exhortation in Hebrews. Pastoral and Practical Applications • Worship Leadership: Include moments of silence and Scripture reading that highlight God’s transcendence, cultivating holy awe rather than entertainment. • Evangelism: Expect that genuine conviction may manifest in emotional or physical responses. Like Paul, reassure seekers and guide them to faith. • Discipleship: Teach believers to balance joy and reverence, echoing Psalm 2:11, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” A mature walk embraces both. • Counseling: When individuals experience overwhelming fear of God, direct them to the finished work of Christ, in whom trembling is met with grace. Related Biblical Themes and Cross-References • Fear of the LORD: Proverbs 1:7; Isaiah 66:2. Through these three New Testament occurrences, Scripture reveals trembling as an authentic, God-given response that escorts the soul from mere awareness of divine power to wholehearted submission and faith. Forms and Transliterations εντρομος έντρομος ἔντρομος entromos éntromosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 7:32 Adj-NMSGRK: καὶ Ἰακώβ ἔντρομος δὲ γενόμενος NAS: Moses shook with fear and would not venture INT: and of Jacob trembling moreover having become Acts 16:29 Adj-NMS Hebrews 12:21 Adj-NMS |
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