English · KJV
H7460

רָעַד

râʻad /raw-ad'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto shudder (more or less violently)
KJV usagetremble.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of râʻad — 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 Hebrew word râʻad, represented by H7460, is a primitive root defined as to shudder (more or less violently); tremble. It is a specific term that appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, each time illustrating a profound reaction to a powerful force.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H7460 is used to describe a response to divine power or a moment of great significance. This is seen on a cosmic scale when God's power over creation is described; He looks at the earth and it trembles Psalms 104:32. It also portrays a deeply personal human reaction to the supernatural, as when the prophet Daniel stood trembling while being addressed by a heavenly messenger Daniel 10:11. In a communal context, the men of Judah and Benjamin sat trembling in Jerusalem, reacting to both the gravity of a religious matter and a great rain Ezra 10:9.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the act of trembling:

  • H5027 nâbaṭ (to scan, i.e. look intently at): This action is shown to be the direct cause of the earth's reaction, as God's look is what makes it tremble Psalms 104:32.
  • H5060 nâgaʻ (to touch... strike): This term is used in parallel with God's look, where his touch on the hills causes them to smoke, another physical response to divine power Psalms 104:32.
  • H5975 ʻâmad (to stand): This word describes the physical posture accompanying the experience of trembling, as Daniel stood trembling before the angel Daniel 10:11.
  • H6225 ʻâshan (to smoke, whether literal or figurative; be angry): This appears alongside trembling as a reaction of nature to God's presence, as the hills smoke at his touch Psalms 104:32.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7460 is demonstrated in its various applications:

  • Divine Sovereignty: The trembling of the earth at God's gaze is a powerful statement of His absolute authority and might over all creation Psalms 104:32.
  • Human Reverence: Trembling is a natural human response when confronted with the divine. Daniel's experience illustrates that this is an act of profound awe and reverence in the presence of holiness Daniel 10:11.
  • Communal Conviction: The people trembling in Ezra's time shows the term can also signify a deep sense of conviction and fear of God in response to a serious covenant matter Ezra 10:9.

Summary

In summary, H7460 râʻad is far more than a word for physical shaking. It captures a deep and visceral response to an overwhelming power or presence. Whether it is the earth shuddering before its Creator, a prophet in awe of a divine messenger, or a community reacting to a solemn affair, the word signifies a state of profound reverence and fear.

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 Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and a noun across 4 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Hiphil Participle Plural Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Hiphil Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Singular Feminine Absolute 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

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.

H5027 נָבַט a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care; (cause to) beh H5060 נָגַע a primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by H5975 עָמַד a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), H6225 עָשַׁן a primitive root; to smoke, whether literal or figurative; be angry (be on a) smoke.

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 3 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Ezra, Psalms, and Daniel (1 verse each); never once in the other 36.

1
Ezra
1
Psalms
1
Daniel

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.