from σείω; a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake:--earthquake, tempest.
Transliteration:seismós
Pronunciation:sice-mos'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word seismós (`{{G4578}}`) is derived from the verb seíō (`{{G4579}}`), meaning "to shake," "to agitate," or "to cause to tremble." Consequently, seismós fundamentally refers to a violent commotion or shaking. Its semantic range in the New Testament primarily encompasses two distinct phenomena:
* **Earthquake:** This is the most prevalent usage, denoting a literal shaking of the earth's crust. It implies a significant, often destructive, seismic event.
* **Tempest/Storm:** Less frequently, seismós can describe a violent disturbance of the air or sea, leading to a severe gale or tempest. This usage emphasizes the intense, disruptive motion of a storm.
In essence, the core concept conveyed by seismós is one of profound, often overwhelming, instability and powerful, disruptive force, frequently pointing to supernatural agency or divine intervention.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Seismós appears 14 times in the New Testament, with the vast majority referring to earthquakes.
* **Divine Confirmation and Judgment:** A great earthquake accompanies the death of Jesus on the cross, tearing the temple veil and opening tombs ([[Matthew 27:51]], [[Matthew 27:54]]). This event underscores the cosmic significance of the crucifixion and God's judgment upon sin. Similarly, an earthquake marks the angelic appearance at Jesus' tomb, causing the guards to tremble in fear ([[Matthew 28:2]]), emphasizing the divine power of the resurrection.
* **Eschatological Signs:** Jesus Himself prophesies that "there will be earthquakes in various places" as signs of the end times, referring to them as "birth pains" before His return ([[Matthew 24:7]], [[Mark 13:8]], [[Luke 21:11]]). These are presented as escalating natural disasters that precede the consummation of the age.
* **Divine Intervention and Deliverance:** In a unique instance of divine intervention, an earthquake shakes the Philippian jail where Paul and Silas are imprisoned, miraculously opening all the prison doors and loosening their chains ([[Acts 16:26]]). This seismós serves not as a judgment, but as an instrument of divine liberation and a catalyst for the jailer's conversion.
* **Apocalyptic Judgment:** The book of Revelation extensively utilizes seismós to depict God's powerful judgments upon the earth. Earthquakes accompany the opening of the sixth seal ([[Revelation 6:12]]), the sounding of the seventh trumpet ([[Revelation 11:13]], [[Revelation 11:19]]), and the pouring out of the seventh bowl ([[Revelation 16:18]]). These apocalyptic earthquakes are often described as unprecedented in their severity, causing widespread destruction and prompting humanity to acknowledge God's power.
* **Natural Phenomenon (Tempest):** Only once is seismós used to describe a tempest or storm at sea, specifically the "great tempest" that threatened the disciples' boat on the Sea of Galilee, which Jesus subsequently calmed ([[Matthew 8:24]]). This demonstrates Jesus' authority over all creation, including natural forces.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **seíō (`{{G4579}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to shake," directly informs the active nature of seismós. It highlights the dynamic force behind the commotion.
* **tromos (`{{G5156}}`):** "Trembling" or "fear," often the human response to a seismós or other manifestations of divine power ([[Matthew 28:4]], [[Acts 16:29]]). This connection underscores the awe and terror inspired by such events.
* **saléuō (`{{G4531}}`):** "To shake," "to cause to totter," or "to disturb." This word shares semantic overlap with seíō and seismós, often used in contexts of instability or the shaking of foundations, both literal and metaphorical (e.g., [[Hebrews 12:26-27]] regarding the shaking of creation).
* **Old Testament Parallels:** The concept of the earth shaking or trembling before the Lord is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, often using the Hebrew word ra'ash (`{{H7494}}`). This phenomenon is frequently associated with theophany (God's appearance), divine judgment, or the demonstration of God's mighty power (e.g., the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai in [[Exodus 19:18]], or the Lord's coming in judgment in [[Psalm 18:7]]). The New Testament use of seismós thus builds upon a rich biblical tradition.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of seismós is profound and multifaceted:
* **Manifestation of Divine Power and Sovereignty:** Seismós consistently serves as a powerful display of God's absolute control over creation. Whether a natural occurrence or a direct divine act, it demonstrates His ability to shake the very foundations of the earth and the heavens.
* **Signs of God's Presence and Intervention:** Like the shaking of Mount Sinai at the giving of the Law, earthquakes in the New Testament often accompany pivotal moments of divine revelation or intervention, emphasizing the gravity and holiness of God's active presence in human history.
* **Harbingers of Judgment and Eschatological Warning:** Particularly in the Gospels' eschatological discourses and the book of Revelation, seismós functions as a clear sign of impending divine judgment and the nearing end of the age. They represent the instability and transience of the fallen world in contrast to the eternal, unshakable kingdom of God.
* **Catalysts for Transformation and Deliverance:** The earthquake at the Philippian jail illustrates seismós as an instrument of divine liberation and a catalyst for spiritual awakening and conversion. The earthquakes at the crucifixion and resurrection mark the end of an old covenant and the inauguration of the new, signifying profound spiritual and redemptive shifts.
* **Shaking of All That Can Be Shaken:** The concept of seismós resonates with the theological truth that all that is temporary and human-made will ultimately be shaken and removed, so that only the eternal and unshakable kingdom of God may remain ([[Hebrews 12:26-27]]).
### Summary
Seismós (`{{G4578}}`) denotes a violent commotion, predominantly an "earthquake" but also a "tempest." Its New Testament usage is replete with theological significance, serving as a powerful manifestation of God's sovereign power over creation. Earthquakes mark pivotal moments in salvation history, such as the crucifixion and resurrection, underscoring their cosmic impact and the inauguration of a new covenant. They are also prominent eschatological signs, signaling the end times and acting as instruments of divine judgment, particularly in the book of Revelation, where they vividly portray God's wrath and the instability of the created order. Conversely, seismós can also be an instrument of divine deliverance and a catalyst for spiritual transformation, as seen in the Philippian jail. Across its various contexts, seismós consistently highlights God's active involvement in the world, His ultimate authority, and His purposes, whether in warning, judgment, or salvation.
TRV