Earthquake
1:
Earthquake — mentioned among the extraordinary phenomena of Palestine (Ps. 18:7; comp. Hab. 3:6; Nah. 1:5; Isa. 5:25).
The first earthquake in Palestine of which we have any record happened in the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 19:11, 12). Another took place in the days of Uzziah, King of Judah (Zech. 14:5). The most memorable earthquake taking place in New Testament times happened at the crucifixion of our Lord (Matt. 27:54). An earthquake at Philippi shook the prison in which Paul and Silas were imprisoned (Act 16:26).
It is used figuratively as a token of the presence of the Lord (Judg. 5:4; 2 Sam. 22:8; Ps. 77:18; 97:4; 104:32).
Easton, M. (1996, c1897). Easton's Bible dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
2:
EARTHQUAKE Shaking or trembling of the earth originated by volcanic or tectonic activity. Earthquakes occur frequently in Palestine due mostly to the volcanic nature of the regions around the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. The primary centers of earthquakes in Palestine are upper Galilee, the Samaritan country near Shechem, and the western edge of the Judean Mountains near Lydda.
The Hebrew word for “earthquake” indicates a great noise or a tremendous roaring, suggesting that the Israelites were impressed with the rumbling connected with earthquakes.
Reports of ancient earthquakes
The Jewish historian Josephus described a quake that occurred during the battle of Actium in which many animals and more than 30,000 people were killed. The earthquake in ad 79 at Vesuvius was reported throughout the Roman world. Among many others, Agrippa was killed in this earthquake. Eusebius recorded the destruction of Caesarea and Emmaus by an earthquake during the reign of Hadrian. In spite of much ancient and modern earthquake activity in Palestine, Jerusalem has remained relatively undamaged.
Instances of earthquakes are (1) at Mt Sinai, in connection with God’s giving the law to Moses (Ex 19:18); (2) during the wilderness wandering of the Israelites, when Korah and his followers rebelled against Moses and were destroyed as punishment for their rebellion (Nm 16:31–33); (3) among the Philistines on the occasion when Jonathan and his armor bearer fought a garrison of Philistines (1 Sm 14:15); (4) after Elijah killed the prophets of Baal and, fleeing Jezebel’s wrath, sat under a juniper tree feeling sorry for himself (1 Kgs 19:7–9, 11); (5) in the reign of King Uzziah (Am 1:1); (6) at the death of Jesus on Calvary (Mt 27:51–54); (7) at the resurrection of Jesus (Mt 28:2); and (8) at Philippi while Paul and Silas were in jail (Acts 16:26). Earthquakes are also mentioned as one of the phenomena in connection with the “Day of the Lord” (Zec 14:4–5) and the consummation of this age (Rv 6:12–24; 11:19; 16:18).
Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). Tyndale Bible dictionary. Tyndale reference library (395). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
3:
EARTHQUAKE (Heb. ra˓ash, “vibration”; Gk. seismos). A tremulous motion or shaking of the earth caused by the violent action of subterraneous heat and vapors. There can be no doubt that Palestine has been subject both to volcanic agency and to occasional earthquakes. The recorded instances, however, are few; the most remarkable occurred in the reign of Uzziah (Amos 1:1), which Josephus connected with the sacrilege and consequent punishment of that monarch (cf. 2 Chron. 26:16–23). Of the extent of that earthquake, of the precise localities affected by it, or of the desolations it may have produced—of anything, in short, but the general alarm and consternation occasioned by it—we know absolutely nothing. Earthquakes are mentioned in connection with the crucifixion (Matt. 27:51–54), the resurrection (28:2), and the imprisonment of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:26). These, like those recorded in connection with the death of Korah (Num. 16:32) and Elijah’s visit to Mt. Horeb (1 Kings 19:11), would seem to have been miraculous rather than natural phenomena. Josephus (Ant. 14.52) gives an account of an earthquake that devastated Judea (31 b.c.). The second advent of Christ will be preceded and attended by gigantic earthquakes (Rev. 16:18–19; Zech. 14:4–5).
Figurative. Earthquakes are symbolic of the judgments of God (Isa. 24:20; 29:6; Jer. 4:24; Rev. 8:5) and of the overthrow of nations (Hag. 2:6, 22; Rev. 6:12–13; 16:18–19).
bibliography: E. J. Arieh, Geological Survey of Israel 43 (1967): 1–14.
Unger, M. F., Harrison, R. K., Vos, H. F., Barber, C. J., & Unger, M. F. (1988). The new Unger's Bible dictionary. Revision of: Unger's Bible dictionary. 3rd ed. c1966. (Rev. and updated ed.). Chicago: Moody Press.
4:
EARTHQUAKE. Earthquakes have been the alter ego of *Palestine consequent on its geological structure. In the biblical record earthquakes or their associated phenomena are recorded at various periods and attested in some excavations (e.g. Y. Yadin, Hazor, 1975, pp. 150–151), at Mt Sinai on the giving of the law (Ex. 19:18), in the days of Saul (1 Sa. 14:15), Elijah (1 Ki. 19:11), Uzziah (Am. 1:1; Zc. 14:5) and Paul and Silas (Acts 16:26). An earthquake associated with crustal fissures destroyed Korah and his companions (Nu. 16:31), and a similar event may have been associated with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (see Am. 4:11). The earthquake at the crucifixion is described in Mt. 27:51f. with miraculous manifestations.
There are many references to this terrible form of natural calamity: Jdg. 5:4; Pss. 18:7; 29:6; 97:4; 114:4; Joel 2:10; 3:16; Am. 8:8; Na. 1:5; Hab. 3:6; Zc. 14:4; Rev. 6:12; 8:5; 11:13; 16:18. The earthquake was figurative of divine judgment (Is. 29:6; Ezk. 38:19ff.). Earthquakes (rı̂bu) are also attested in Assyr. texts (Iraq 4, 1927, pp. 186–189).
Bibliography. For a list of earthquakes in the Christian era, see E. Hull, art. ‘Earthquake’ in HDB, 1, p. 634. j.m.h. d.j.w.
Wood, D. R. W., Wood, D. R. W., & Marshall, I. H. (1996, c1982, c1962). New Bible Dictionary. Includes index. (electronic ed. of 3rd ed.) (285). Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.
5:
earthquake, a shaking or trembling of the earth’s surface, fairly frequent in geologically active Syro-Palestine. Specific earthquakes within the biblical period include one in 31 b.c. reported by the Jewish historian Josephus, which left clear marks in Qumran’s ruins, and one in Uzziah’s days (ca. 760 b.c.) cited in Amos 1:1 and remembered in Zech. 14:5. The excavators of Hazor assign the destruction of Stratum VI to this latter earthquake. In legendary but graphically realistic description, earthquakes related to the swallowing up of Dathan and Abiram in Num. 16:30-34, to Elijah’s experiences at Sinai (1 Kings 19:11-12), to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24-29), to the Holy War panic among the Philistines (1 Sam. 14:15), and to the divine theophany in Exod. 19:18. On virtually every occasion that an earthquake appears in the Bible, it has figurative dimensions of God’s intervention; note especially the earthquakes at Jesus’ death (Matt. 27:51) and his resurrection (Matt. 28:2). It was readily projected, then, as attending the judgment at the final days (see Isa. 29:6; Matt. 24:7; Rev. 6:12-17; among many others.) See also Amos, The Book of; Dathan; Eschatology; Hazor; Qumran, Khirbet; Sodom. E.F.C.
Achtemeier, P. J., Harper & Row, P., & Society of Biblical Literature. (1985). Harper's Bible dictionary. Includes index. (1st ed.) (232). San Francisco: Harper & Row.
6:
Earthquake
An unusual shaking or trembling of the earth or some part thereof. Both Amos (Amos 1:1) and Zechariah (Zech. 14:5) refer to a literal earthquake (Heb. ra˓aš) during the reign of Uzziah, king of Judah. Since these two prophets refer to it as “the earthquake,” without any other identification, it must have been very destructive and familiar to their readers. Beyond its literal meaning, “earthquake” became a symbol of divine activity, especially in judgment (Isa. 29:6). The earth, and Mt. Sinai in particular, are said to have quaked before the awesome presence of Yahweh (Exod. 19:18; Ps. 18:7 [MT 8] = 2 Sam. 22:8; Ps. 68:8). The prophet Elijah apparently expected Yahweh to be present in an earthquake, though instead Yahweh appeared in a still small voice (1 Kgs. 19:11–12).
In the NT there is likewise a literal and a symbolic use of the term earthquake (Gk. seismós). An earthquake is mentioned at Jesus’ crucifixion (Matt. 27:51, 54) and at his tomb (28:2). An earthquake opened the prison doors for Paul and Silas after they had been incarcerated at Philippi (Acts 16:26). The figurative use of earthquake as a symbol of God’s activity is preserved in the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 13:8 par.), among several other symbols depicting the judgment of God at the end of the world. The author of the book of Revelation saw an earthquake as one of several symbols of God’s judgment following the breaking of the sixth seal (Rev. 6:12), as evidence of God’s activity in response to the prayers of the saints (8:5), and as the result of God’s taking the “two witnesses” up into heaven (11:13). The same writer saw an earthquake as following the appearance of the ark of the covenant in the temple (Rev. 11:19) and, finally, as accompanying the judgments of the seventh bowl (16:17–21).
Joe E. Lunceford
Freedman, D. N., Myers, A. C., & Beck, A. B. (2000). Eerdmans dictionary of the Bible (362). Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans.
