In the context of the Bible, "disturbance" can refer to a variety of situations where peace, order, or normalcy is disrupted. This can occur on both a personal and communal level, often as a result of sin, conflict, or divine intervention. The concept of disturbance is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating both the consequences of human actions and the sovereign will of God.

Old Testament Instances

1. Sin and Rebellion: Disturbance often arises from sin and rebellion against God. In Genesis 3, the fall of man introduces a profound disturbance into the created order. Adam and Eve's disobedience results in a curse upon the ground and enmity between humanity and the serpent (Genesis 3:14-19). This initial disturbance sets the stage for the ongoing struggle between good and evil throughout Scripture.

2. Divine Judgment: The Old Testament frequently depicts God as the source of disturbance when executing judgment. The plagues of Egypt, for example, are a series of divine disturbances that compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage (Exodus 7-12). These plagues disrupt the natural and social order of Egypt, demonstrating God's power and justice.

3. Prophetic Warnings: Prophets often warned of impending disturbances as a result of Israel's unfaithfulness. In Jeremiah 25:32, the prophet declares, "Look! Disaster is spreading from nation to nation; a mighty storm is rising from the ends of the earth" . Such disturbances serve as both punishment and a call to repentance.

New Testament Instances

1. Jesus' Ministry: The ministry of Jesus Christ brought both peace and disturbance. While He is the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), His teachings and actions often disturbed the status quo. In Matthew 10:34, Jesus states, "Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword" . This indicates that His message would cause division and challenge existing structures.

2. Early Church: The spread of the Gospel in the early church also led to disturbances. In Acts 17:6, the apostles are accused of having "turned the world upside down" . The transformative power of the Gospel often clashed with established religious and social norms, leading to persecution and upheaval.

3. Spiritual Warfare: The New Testament also speaks of spiritual disturbances as part of the cosmic battle between good and evil. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" . This spiritual disturbance requires believers to be vigilant and equipped with the armor of God.

Theological Implications

Disturbance in the Bible often serves as a catalyst for change, prompting individuals and communities to turn back to God. It highlights the tension between human free will and divine sovereignty, as well as the ongoing battle between sin and righteousness. While disturbances can be unsettling, they also provide opportunities for growth, repentance, and deeper reliance on God's providence and grace.1. (n.) An interruption of a state of peace or quiet; derangement of the regular course of things; disquiet; disorder; as, a disturbance of religious exercises; a disturbance of the galvanic current.

2. (n.) Confusion of the mind; agitation of the feelings; perplexity; uneasiness.

3. (n.) Violent agitation in the body politic; public commotion; tumult.

4. (n.) The hindering or disquieting of a person in the lawful and peaceable enjoyment of his right; the interruption of a right; as, the disturbance of a franchise, of common, of ways, and the like.

5017. tarachos -- disturbance, trouble
... disturbance, trouble. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: tarachos
Phonetic Spelling: (tar'-akh-os) Short Definition: a disturbance, commotion ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5017.htm - 6k

5016. tarache -- a disturbance, stirring up
... a disturbance, stirring up. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: tarache
Phonetic Spelling: (tar-akh-ay') Short Definition: a disturbance, tumult ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5016.htm - 6k

2351. thorubos -- an uproar
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: thorubos Phonetic Spelling:
(thor'-oo-bos) Short Definition: confused noise, riot, disturbance Definition: ( ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2351.htm - 7k

4799. sugchusis -- confusion
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sugchusis Phonetic Spelling:
(soong'-khoo-sis) Short Definition: confusion, disturbance Definition: confusion ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4799.htm - 6k

181. akatastasia -- instability
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: akatastasia Phonetic Spelling:
(ak-at-as-tah-see'-ah) Short Definition: disturbance, upheaval, revolution ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/181.htm - 7k

1611. ekstasis -- a displacement (of the mind), ie bewilderment ...
... Transliteration: ekstasis Phonetic Spelling: (ek'-stas-is) Short Definition:
bewilderment, amazement Definition: (properly: distraction or disturbance of mind ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1611.htm - 7k

2263. eremos -- quiet
... 2263 (an adjective) -- properly, undisturbed (placid); (figuratively) ; free from
disturbance; tranquil; without needless commotion or disturbances (used only ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2263.htm - 7k

3926. parenochleo -- to annoy
... Speech: Verb Transliteration: parenochleo Phonetic Spelling: (par-en-okh-leh'-o)
Short Definition: I trouble Definition: I trouble, cause disturbance to, annoy ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3926.htm - 6k

3791. ochleo -- to disturb, trouble
... destination. [3791 () is literally "having the effect of an uncontrolled mob"
which brings its overwhelming confusion (disturbance).]. Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3791.htm - 7k

2048. eremos -- solitary, desolate
... 2048 -- properly, an , place; a (deserted) area; (figuratively) a barren, solitary
place that also provides (freedom from disturbance). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2048.htm - 8k

5911. Akor -- "disturbance," a valley on the border of Judah
... 5910, 5911. Akor. 5912 . "disturbance," a valley on the border of Judah.
Transliteration: Akor Phonetic Spelling: (aw-kore') Short Definition: Achor. ...
/hebrew/5911.htm - 6k

8442. toah -- a wandering, error
... 8441, 8442. toah. 8443 . a wandering, error. Transliteration: toah Phonetic
Spelling: (to-aw') Short Definition: disturbance. Word ...
/hebrew/8442.htm - 6k

Of the Disturbance at Antioch by Eustathius.
... Book III. Chapter LIX."Of the Disturbance at Antioch by Eustathius. In
the midst, however, of the general happiness occasioned ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter lix of the disturbance at.htm

The Disturbance which the Greeks and Christians had About Attalus. ...
... Book IX. Chapter IX."The Disturbance which the Greeks and Christians had
about Attalus. The Courageous Saros; Alaric, by a Stratagem ...
/.../chapter ix the disturbance which the.htm

On Account of the Great Disturbance and Discords that Occur...
... Canon XV. On account of the great disturbance and discords that occur? On
account of the great disturbance and discords that occur ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xv on account of.htm

Eunomius Separates from Eudoxius; a Disturbance is Raised at ...
... Chapter XIII."Eunomius separates from Eudoxius; a Disturbance is raised at Alexandria
by Eudoxius, and Athanasius flees into Voluntary Exile again, but in ...
/.../chapter xiii eunomius separates from eudoxius.htm

Attempts to Create a Disturbance.
... Book III. Chapter XLVIII."Attempts to Create a Disturbance. To this speech
of Simon, Peter answered: "Do not meddle with the things ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xlviii attempts to create a.htm

But Let us Allow, as You Wish, that the Gods are Accustomed to ...
... Book VII. 6 But let us allow, as you wish, that the gods are accustomed
to such disturbance? But let us allow, as you wish, that ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/6 but let us allow.htm

The Propator was Known to Monogenes Alone. Ambition, Disturbance ...
... Monogenes alone. Ambition, disturbance, and danger into which Sophia fell;
her shapeless offspring: she is restored by Horos. The ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter ii the propator was known.htm

The Emperor Constantine Being Grieved at the Disturbance of the ...
... Book I. Chapter VII."The Emperor Constantine being grieved at the Disturbance of
the Churches, sends Hosius the Spaniard to Alexandria, exhorting the Bishop ...
/.../chapter vii the emperor constantine being.htm

After the Banishment of Athanasius, Arius Having Been Sent for by ...
... Book I. Chapter XXXVII."After the Banishment of Athanasius, Arius having been sent
for by the Emperor, raises a Disturbance against Alexander Bishop of ...
/.../chapter xxxvii after the banishment of.htm

Of the Crowd of the Devils, and the Disturbance which they Always ...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XII. Of the crowd of the devils,
and the disturbance which they always raise in our atmosphere. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xii of the crowd.htm

Disturbance (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An interruption of a state of peace or quiet; derangement of the regular
course of things; disquiet; disorder; as, a disturbance of religious exercises ...
/d/disturbance.htm - 8k

Disturb (12 Occurrences)
... envy. 3. (vt) To turn from a regular or designed course. 4. (n.) Disturbance.
Multi-Version Concordance Disturb (12 Occurrences). ...
/d/disturb.htm - 10k

Quiet (167 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Free from noise or disturbance; hushed; still. ... 7. (a.) Freedom from disturbance,
noise, or alarm; stillness; tranquility; peace; security. ...
/q/quiet.htm - 37k

Trouble (477 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Troubled; dark; gloomy. 5. (n.) The state of being troubled;
disturbance; agitation; uneasiness; vexation; calamity. 6. (vt ...
/t/trouble.htm - 36k

Rout (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To roar; to bellow; to snort; to snore loudly.
2. (n.) A bellowing; a shouting; noise; clamor; uproar; disturbance; tumult. ...
/r/rout.htm - 9k

Disorder (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Neglect of order or system; irregularity. 3. (n.) Breach of public
order; disturbance of the peace of society; tumult. 4 ...
/d/disorder.htm - 8k

Peace (523 Occurrences)
... God. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A state of quiet or tranquility;
freedom from disturbance or agitation; calm; repose. 2. (v ...
/p/peace.htm - 46k

Calm (18 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Freedom from motion, agitation, or disturbance; a cessation or absence of
that which causes motion or disturbance, as of winds or waves; tranquility ...
/c/calm.htm - 11k

Agitation (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A stirring up or arousing; disturbance of tranquility; disturbance of mind
which shows itself by physical excitement; perturbation; as, to cause any ...
/a/agitation.htm - 7k

Philippi (8 Occurrences)
... They accused the apostles of creating disturbance in the city and of advocating
customs, the reception and practice of which were illegal for Roman citizens. ...
/p/philippi.htm - 36k

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