G4531

σαλεύω

saleúō /sal-yoo'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom σάλος
Meaningto waver, i.e. agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy; figuratively, to disturb, incite
KJV usagemove, shake (together), which can(-not) be shaken, stir up.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of saleúō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word saleúō, represented by G4531, means to waver, agitate, rock, or topple. It appears 17 times across 14 unique verses in the Bible. Its base definition also extends figuratively to mean disturb or incite. The applications of G4531 range from the literal shaking of physical objects to the profound disturbance of cosmic powers and the stirring of human emotions.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G4531 is used to describe a variety of actions. It can depict a simple, natural motion, as when Jesus asks if the crowds went out to see "a reed shaken with the wind" (Matthew 11:7, Luke 7:24). It is also used to illustrate immense divine power, such as when a place of prayer was shaken Acts 4:31 or when an earthquake shaken the foundations of a prison Acts 16:26. Figuratively, the term is used to warn believers not to be "soon shaken in mind" 2 Thessalonians 2:2 and describes the negative action of those who stirred up the people in opposition to the apostles Acts 17:13. In the context of a firmly built house on a rock, the structure could not be shaken Luke 6:48.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the scope of shaking and stability:

  • G4579 seíō: This verb means to rock or agitate. It is used in parallel with G4531 when describing God's voice, which first shook the earth and will one day shake both earth and heaven Hebrews 12:26.
  • G4578 seismós: This noun means a commotion or earthquake. It is the direct cause of the action in Acts 16:26, where a great earthquake resulted in the prison's foundations being shaken.
  • G2360 throéō: Meaning to clamor or frighten, this word is used alongside G4531 to warn believers not to be shaken in mind or troubled by false reports 2 Thessalonians 2:2.
  • G3331 metáthesis: This word for removing or disestablishment is used to explain the consequence of things being shaken. It signifies the removing of things that are shaken so that what cannot be shaken will remain Hebrews 12:27.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4531 is most evident in its figurative applications. It illustrates a core contrast between the temporary and the eternal.

  • Eschatological Judgment: The word is used to describe the cataclysmic events of the end times, when "the powers of the heavens shall be shaken" (Matthew 24:29, Luke 21:26). This points to God's ultimate authority over all creation.
  • Personal Steadfastness: A believer's stability is described as being unshakeable. David declared that with the Lord at his right hand, he would "not be moved" Acts 2:25. A life founded on the rock of God's word cannot be shaken by crises Luke 6:48.
  • The Unshakeable Kingdom: The most direct theological statement comes in Hebrews, which speaks of the "removing of those things that are shaken... that those things which cannot be shaken may remain" Hebrews 12:27. This distinguishes between the created order and God's eternal kingdom.

Summary

In summary, G4531 is a dynamic word that conveys more than just physical motion. It describes everything from the trembling of a reed to the violent shaking of a prison and the heavens themselves. Figuratively, it serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual stability, emotional turmoil, and the profound difference between the transient, shakeable world and the permanent, unshakeable kingdom of God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 15 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Future Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 3×
  • Aorist Passive Infinitive 2×
  • Present Passive Participle Accusative Singular Masculine 2×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
  • Aorist Passive Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Aorist Passive Subjunctive 1st Singular 1×
  • Perfect Passive Participle Accusative Singular Neuter 1×
  • Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Passive Participle Genitive Plural Neuter 1×
  • Present Passive Participle Nominative Plural Neuter 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter
Neuter grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future
Action yet to take place.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive
Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G4579 σείω apparently a primary verb; to rock (vibrate, properly, sideways or to and fro), i.e. (generally) to agitate (in any dire G4578 σεισμός from σείω; a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake:--earthquake, tempest. G2360 θροέω from to wail; to clamor, i.e. (by implication) to frighten:--trouble. G3331 μετάθεσις from μετατίθημι; transposition, i.e. transferral (to heaven), disestablishment (of a law):--change, removing, translatio

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 14 verses across 6 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Luke and Acts (4 verses each); never once in the other 21.

2
Matthew
1
Mark
4
Luke
4
Acts
1
2 Thessalonians
2
Hebrews

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.