"pr. a shaking, agitation, concussion; an earthquake, Mt. 24:7; 27:54; a tempest, Mt. 8:24"
Definition and meaning
pr. a shaking, agitation, concussion; an earthquake, Mt. 24:7; 27:54; a tempest, Mt. 8:24
In the original Greek the word is written: σεισμός
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of seismos (G4578) across the King James Bible.
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
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Common questions
Strong's G4578 (seismos) is a Greek word that means: pr. a shaking, agitation, concussion; an earthquake, Mt. 24:7; 27:54; a tempest, Mt. 8:24 It appears 12 times in the King James Bible.
The word seismos (G4578) appears 12 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4578 is seismos, a Greek word defined as: pr. a shaking, agitation, concussion; an earthquake, Mt. 24:7; 27:54; a tempest, Mt. 8:24. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
seismos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.