2 Samuel 22:8

KJV

Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the earth {H776} shook {H1607}{H1607} and trembled {H7493}; the foundations {H4146} of heaven {H8064} moved {H7264} and shook {H1607}, because he was wroth {H2734}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Then the earth quaked and shook, the foundations of heaven trembled. They were shaken because he was angry.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the earth shook and quaked; the foundations of the heavens trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger.

American Standard Version

Then the earth shook and trembled, The foundations of heaven quaked And were shaken, because he was wroth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 22:8, a profound verse from David's song of deliverance, vividly portrays the Lord's majestic and overwhelming intervention on behalf of His anointed king. Utilizing cosmic imagery, it describes the earth shaking and the very foundations of heaven trembling, signaling a cataclysmic divine response. This dramatic portrayal emphasizes God's immense power and righteous indignation, demonstrating His active presence and fierce commitment to justice in delivering David from his adversaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within David's grand psalm of thanksgiving and praise, recorded in its entirety in [2 Samuel 22](/2_samuel/22 "2 Samuel 22 - David's Song of Deliverance") and paralleled in [Psalm 18](/psalms/18 "Psalm 18 - David's Song of Deliverance"). Positioned early in the song (vv. 7-16), it forms part of a powerful theophany—a manifestation of God's presence—where the Lord descends in judgment and power to rescue David. The preceding verses (vv. 5-6) describe David's desperate cry for help from the "waves of death" and "torrents of destruction," setting the stage for God's dramatic and immediate response. The imagery here transitions from David's personal distress to a cosmic display of divine might, framing his deliverance as a universal event orchestrated by the Sovereign Lord.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was marked by relentless conflict, from his flight from King Saul to numerous battles against surrounding nations. This song reflects his cumulative experience of God's faithfulness throughout these trials. The imagery of the earth shaking and heavens trembling resonates with common ancient Near Eastern (ANE) motifs of divine warrior deities manifesting their power through storms, earthquakes, and celestial disturbances. In this worldview, such phenomena were not mere natural occurrences but direct expressions of divine will and presence. The "foundations of heaven" reflect an ancient cosmology where the sky was perceived as a solid structure with supporting pillars, making its disturbance an even more profound testament to God's unparalleled power.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, portraying God as the ultimate controller of creation, capable of altering the very fabric of the cosmos to achieve His purposes. Secondly, it highlights God's **Active Deliverance**, emphasizing that He is not a distant observer but intimately involved in the affairs of His people, intervening decisively when they cry out. Thirdly, the phrase "because he was wroth" introduces the theme of **Righteous Judgment and Wrath**. This is not capricious anger but a holy indignation against injustice, oppression, and those who oppose God's chosen one, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to justice and His fierce love for His covenant people. This concept of God's righteous anger is a recurring theme, seen for instance in [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Unrighteousness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **shook (Hebrew, _ra'ash'_):** This verb frequently describes the violent shaking or trembling of the earth, often associated with earthquakes or the movement of large armies. In this context, it conveys a profound, fundamental disturbance of the physical world, indicative of an overwhelming divine presence and action.
* **trembled (Hebrew, _ga'ash'_):** Often used in conjunction with _ra'ash_ for emphatic parallelism, _ga'ash_ also denotes agitation, quaking, or reeling. Its pairing here intensifies the imagery of cosmic upheaval, suggesting a deep, visceral response from creation itself to God's manifest power.
* **wroth (Hebrew, _charah'_):** Literally meaning "to burn" or "to be kindled," this term signifies intense, burning anger. In biblical theology, God's wrath is never arbitrary but is always a righteous and just response to sin, rebellion, and injustice. Here, it is the holy indignation that fuels His powerful intervention against David's enemies.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the earth shook and trembled;":** This clause immediately establishes the dramatic, physical manifestation of God's intervention. The use of two synonymous verbs emphasizes the severity and totality of the shaking, indicating that God's response was not subtle but a profound disturbance of the terrestrial realm. It signifies that the very ground beneath the enemies' feet was unstable in the face of divine power.
* **"the foundations of heaven moved and shook,":** Elevating the scope of God's power from the earthly to the cosmic, this clause describes an even more profound disturbance. "Foundations of heaven" is a poetic expression reflecting an ancient understanding of the cosmos as having a stable, structured sky. The idea that even these ultimate supports of the heavens were agitated underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, demonstrating that no part of the universe is beyond His reach or unaffected by His presence.
* **"because he was wroth.":** This final clause provides the divine motivation for the cosmic upheaval. God's anger is not a human flaw but a righteous attribute, a holy indignation against injustice and opposition to His will and His anointed. It reveals that the shaking of creation was a direct, purposeful act stemming from God's character and His commitment to defend His servant and execute justice.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Theophany**, depicting a visible manifestation of God, often accompanied by natural phenomena like storms or earthquakes, to reveal His power and presence. It employs striking **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of the shaking to emphasize the immense magnitude of God's intervention; while the earth might literally shake, the "foundations of heaven" moving is a poetic overstatement. **Parallelism** is evident, particularly **Synonymous Parallelism**, where "shook and trembled" and "moved and shook" reinforce the same idea of violent disturbance, intensifying the imagery. There is also a broader parallelism between the earth and the heavens, showing the universal scope of God's action. Finally, **Anthropomorphism** is present in the attribution of "wrath" to God, describing a divine emotion in human terms to make His righteous indignation comprehensible.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the biblical truth of God's active and powerful involvement in human history, particularly in the deliverance of His people. It reveals a God who is not distant or passive but one who responds with overwhelming might to the cries of the afflicted, driven by His righteous character. The cosmic imagery underscores His absolute sovereignty over all creation, affirming that His power knows no bounds and that even the most stable elements of the universe bend to His will. This divine wrath is not arbitrary but a holy indignation against sin and injustice, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to uphold righteousness and protect His covenant. It paints a picture of God as the ultimate divine warrior, fighting on behalf of His chosen.

* [Psalm 18:7](/psalms/18-7 "Psalm 18:7 - Parallel Account of God's Powerful Intervention")
* [Nahum 1:5](/nahum/1-5 "Nahum 1:5 - God's Power Shakes the Mountains")
* [Hebrews 12:26](/hebrews/12-26 "Hebrews 12:26 - God Shakes Heaven and Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic imagery of 2 Samuel 22:8 offers profound encouragement and a call to awe for believers today. When faced with overwhelming adversaries, seemingly insurmountable challenges, or moments of deep distress, this verse reminds us that the same God who shook the earth and heaven's foundations for David is still sovereign, active, and capable of grand, decisive interventions on our behalf. It challenges any notion of a passive or indifferent deity, urging us to trust in His immense power and His readiness to fight for those who call upon Him. Furthermore, understanding that God's cosmic response was "because he was wroth" underscores the holiness of His character and His righteous opposition to evil. This should cultivate in us a holy fear and reverence, motivating us to align our lives with His will, to seek justice, and to rest in the assurance that His righteous anger is directed against sin, while His fierce love is poured out for His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the cosmic imagery of this verse challenge or expand my understanding of God's power and active presence in the world today?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust God for a "shaking" intervention, believing He is capable of overcoming impossible circumstances?**
* **How does understanding God's righteous wrath, as depicted here, impact my perspective on sin, justice, and His character?**

### FAQ
**Is this a literal earthquake or a poetic description?**

Answer: While the language uses terms associated with earthquakes and physical shaking, this verse is primarily a poetic and hyperbolic description of a theophany—a powerful manifestation of God's presence and intervention. It is not necessarily describing a single, literal geological event, but rather conveying the overwhelming, cosmic impact of God's divine action. The imagery emphasizes the *magnitude* and *reality* of God's power, indicating that His intervention was so profound it disturbed the very fabric of creation, far beyond any ordinary natural phenomenon.

**What does "the foundations of heaven" mean in this context?**

Answer: "The foundations of heaven" is a poetic and cosmological expression reflecting the ancient Israelite understanding of the universe. It does not refer to literal architectural foundations but to the perceived stable structure of the sky or cosmos. The idea is that even the most fixed and unmovable elements of creation—the very pillars or supports of the heavens—were disturbed and agitated by God's presence and power. It serves to underscore the absolute, universal scope of God's sovereignty and the unparalleled intensity of His divine response.

**Why was God "wroth" in this situation?**

Answer: God was "wroth" (or angry) because of the injustice and oppression David faced from his enemies, including King Saul. This is not a capricious or sinful anger, but a holy, righteous indignation against those who oppose His divine will, persecute His anointed servant, and stand against His covenant purposes. God's wrath in this context is an expression of His commitment to justice, His defense of the righteous, and His fierce love for His chosen people. It demonstrates that God is not indifferent to the suffering of His own but actively intervenes to right wrongs and bring deliverance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The cosmic shaking and divine wrath described in 2 Samuel 22:8 find their ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While David's deliverance was a temporal salvation from earthly enemies, it foreshadows the greater, spiritual deliverance accomplished by the Son of God. The "wrath" of God that caused the earth to tremble ultimately fell upon Christ on the cross, as He became the propitiation for our sins, taking upon Himself the holy indignation of God against all unrighteousness ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ's Propitiation")). His death and resurrection represent the most profound "shaking" of spiritual foundations, overturning the power of sin and death and establishing a new, unshakable kingdom ([Hebrews 12:26-29](/hebrews/12-26 "Hebrews 12:26-29 - God Shakes Heaven and Earth")). Furthermore, Christ is the one who will return in ultimate power, and His coming will indeed involve a final, literal shaking of heaven and earth, as depicted in prophetic visions of the end times ([Revelation 6:12-17](/revelation/6-12 "Revelation 6:12-17 - The Sixth Seal and Cosmic Disturbances")). Thus, David's song, with its imagery of a mighty, intervening God, points forward to the Lamb of God who both bore God's wrath and will one day execute it in perfect righteousness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 97:4

His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

Job 26:11

The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.

Psalms 77:18

The voice of thy thunder [was] in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

Judges 5:4

LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.

Nahum 1:5

The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

Psalms 18:7

Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

Matthew 28:2

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.