In the biblical context, "shakings" often refer to physical or metaphorical disturbances that signify divine intervention, judgment, or the presence of God. These events are depicted throughout Scripture as moments when God reveals His power and authority over creation and human affairs.

Old Testament References

1. Mount Sinai: One of the most significant shakings in the Old Testament occurs at Mount Sinai. When God descended upon the mountain to give the Law to Moses, the entire mountain trembled violently. Exodus 19:18 states, "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." This shaking signified God's holy presence and the seriousness of the covenant being established with Israel.

2. The Earthquake in the Days of Uzziah: The prophet Amos references a notable earthquake during the reign of King Uzziah of Judah. Amos 1:1 mentions, "The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel." This event is also alluded to in Zechariah 14:5, indicating its significance in the collective memory of the people as a divine act.

3. The Shaking of Nations: In Haggai 2:6-7 , the Lord declares, "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." This prophecy speaks of a future shaking that will lead to the glorification of God's house, often interpreted as a messianic prophecy pointing to the coming of Christ.

New Testament References

1. The Crucifixion of Jesus: At the moment of Jesus' death, the earth shook, and rocks split, as recorded in Matthew 27:51 : "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 shaking symbolizes the profound spiritual significance of Christ's sacrifice, marking the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new.

2. The Resurrection: Another significant shaking occurs at the resurrection of Jesus. Matthew 28:2 describes, "Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it." This event underscores the power of God in raising Jesus from the dead and the victory over sin and death.

3. The Apostolic Era: In Acts 4:31 , after the believers prayed, "the place where they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." This shaking signifies the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in the early church, emboldening the apostles to proclaim the gospel.

Theological Significance

Shakings in the Bible often serve as a prelude to divine revelation or action. They are physical manifestations of God's power and serve as reminders of His sovereignty over creation. These events call for a response of reverence, repentance, and faith from those who witness them. In prophetic literature, shakings are frequently associated with eschatological themes, pointing to the ultimate shaking of the heavens and the earth at the end of the age, as described in Hebrews 12:26-27 : "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."(n. pl.) Deck sweepings, refuse of cordage, canvas, etc.

A Word to the Wavering Ones
... In our last chapter we considered the shakings of God; and it might be
thought that our waverings would be akin to His shakings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 12 a word to.htm

Things that Cannot be Shaken
... of God alone. And this explains the necessity for those "shakings" through
which so many Christians seem called to pass. The Lord ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 11 things that cannot.htm

Of the Trinity and a Christian
... him, or when some new, unexpected, and (as to present strength) over weighty objection
doth fall upon the spirit, by means of which great shakings of mind do ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/miscellaneous pieces/of the trinity and a.htm

God.
... What mean the tremblings, the tears, those breakings and shakings of heart that
attend the people of God, when in an eminent manner they receive the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/i god.htm

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... believed them not.". There is a certain grade of depravity which scoffs at
warnings and laughs at the shakings of God's spear! When this ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

Of the Trinity and a Christian, and of the Law and a Christian.
... him, or when some new, unexpected, and, as to present strength, over-weighty objection
doth fall upon the spirit; by means of which, great shakings of mind do ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of the trinity and a.htm

One Thing is Needful;
... 18. It strikes them to the heart! how do They study it to shun! Indeed
who can bear up, and who Can from these shakings run? 19. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/one thing is needful.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... And what mean the tremblings, the tears, those breakings and shakings of heart that
attend the people of God, when in an eminent manner they receive the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

The victory of the God-Beloved Emperors.
... Certainly no one could gain from them any idea as to what the emperor had done in
the matter. [2772] seismous, literally, "shakings," or "shocks." The word is ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ix the victory of the.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... In the midst of these "shakings and tremblings," on the earth, while some were
rejoicing over victories won by our fleets upon the ocean and the lakes, or ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

Shakings (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n. pl.) Deck sweepings, refuse of cordage, canvas,
etc. Multi-Version Concordance Shakings (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/shakings.htm - 6k

Events (27 Occurrences)
... Luke 21:11 great shakings also in every place, and famines, and pestilences, there
shall be; fearful things also, and great signs from heaven there shall be ...
/e/events.htm - 14k

Shalabbin (1 Occurrence)

/s/shalabbin.htm - 6k

Shaking (162 Occurrences)

/s/shaking.htm - 35k

Shakings: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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