Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

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. raʿaš) 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

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

EARTHQUAKE

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)