Lexical Summary seismos: Earthquake, shaking, tempest Original Word: σεισμός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance earthquake, tempest. From seio; a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake -- earthquake, tempest. see GREEK seio NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom seió Definition a commotion, shaking NASB Translation earthquake (10), earthquakes (3), storm (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4578: σεισμόςσεισμός, σεισμοῦ, ὁ (σείω), a shaking, a commotions: ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ, a tempest, Matthew 8:24; as often in Greek writings from (Herodotus 4, 28), Sophocles, Aristophanes down, pre-eminently an earthquake: Matthew 24:7; Matthew 27:54; Matthew 28:2; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11; Acts 16:26; Revelation 6:12; Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:13, 19; Revelation 16:15; the Sept. for רַעַשׁ. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s 4578 refers to the sudden, often violent quaking of the earth through which God repeatedly announces His presence, judgment, deliverance, and the climax of history. Fourteen occurrences span the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation, linking the term to Christ’s atoning work, the advance of the gospel, and the consummation of the age. Occurrences in the New Testament • Matthew 8:24 – a seismic storm on the Sea of Galilee tests the disciples’ faith. Historical and Geographical Background Palestine and Asia Minor sit on active fault lines (the Dead Sea Transform, the Anatolian plate boundaries). First-century readers were aware of devastating quakes such as those that destroyed Laodicea in AD 60 and Pompeii in AD 62–63. Scripture harnesses this cultural memory: real seismic events form the backdrop for prophetic warnings and divine interventions. Theological Themes 1. Divine Self-Revelation Earthquakes mark theophanies (compare Exodus 19:18; 1 Kings 19:11–12). At Calvary the ground shakes, declaring that the Creator grieves yet reigns (Matthew 27:54). At the resurrection the quake signals heaven’s verdict that death is defeated (Matthew 28:2). 2. Judgment and Warning “Nation will rise against nation… and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:7). The quakes of Revelation intensify from a sixth-seal global convulsion (Revelation 6:12) to a bowl judgment “such as had never occurred since men were on the earth, so mighty was the earthquake” (Revelation 16:18). God’s warnings grow louder as human rebellion persists. 3. Salvation and Deliverance Acts 16:26 shows a quake not of destruction but liberation: “At once all the doors flew open, and everyone’s chains were loosed”. Physical shaking highlights spiritual release, prefiguring the gospel’s power to free captives (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18). 4. Cosmic Renewal Hebrews 12:26–27 recalls God’s promise to “shake not only the earth but heaven as well” so that what cannot be shaken may remain. The final earthquake of Revelation 16:18–20 removes islands and mountains, preparing for the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). Christological Connections • At His death the earth quakes; at His resurrection it quakes again. Creation responds to the Redeemer’s humiliation and victory. Pastoral and Homiletical Applications • Security in Christ – Though the ground may tremble, “God is our refuge and strength… though the earth is moved” (Psalm 46:1–2). Related Old Testament Background Isaiah 13:13, Haggai 2:6–7, and Ezekiel 38:19 anticipate end-time quakes. Zechariah 14:4 pictures the Mount of Olives splitting when the Lord returns, providing a geographical bridge between Testaments and reinforcing prophetic continuity. Summary Throughout Scripture, earthquakes serve as divine megaphones: announcing God’s holiness, validating Christ’s redemptive work, liberating His people, and heralding the approaching Day of the Lord. They challenge the complacent, comfort the trusting, and direct all creation toward the unshakable reign of God through Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations σεισμοι σεισμοί σεισμοὶ σεισμον σεισμόν σεισμὸν σεισμος σεισμός σεισμὸς σεισμού σεισμόυ σεισμω σεισμώ σεισμῷ seismo seismō seismoi seismoí seismoì seismôi seismō̂i seismon seismòn seismos seismós seismòsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 8:24 N-NMSGRK: καὶ ἰδοὺ σεισμὸς μέγας ἐγένετο NAS: a great storm on the sea, KJV: a great tempest in INT: And Behold a storm great arose Matthew 24:7 N-NMP Matthew 27:54 N-AMS Matthew 28:2 N-NMS Mark 13:8 N-NMP Luke 21:11 N-NMP Acts 16:26 N-NMS Revelation 6:12 N-NMS Revelation 8:5 N-NMS Revelation 11:13 N-NMS Revelation 11:13 N-DMS Revelation 11:19 N-NMS Revelation 16:18 N-NMS Revelation 16:18 N-NMS Strong's Greek 4578 |
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