רָעַד (ra.ad)
ra.ad
to tremble
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ra‘ad describes a physical shaking or trembling, whether caused by fear, awe, or an external force like an earthquake. In the Old Testament, it appears in just three verses, often capturing the visceral reaction to divine presence or power. For instance, in Psalm 18:7, the earth quakes as God responds to a cry for help, illustrating how this word bridges human emotion and cosmic events.
Its usage highlights a range of meanings tied to intensity. Sometimes it refers to people trembling before authority or judgment, while at other times it describes the literal shaking of the ground itself. This duality makes ra‘ad particularly vivid: it conveys both internal fear and external disruption, reminding readers that reverence for God can stir both body and world.
Notably, the word’s brevity contrasts with its weight in Scripture. Though rare, each occurrence carries significant theological resonance, emphasizing humanity’s response to God’s majesty. Translators typically render it as "tremble" or "quake," preserving its raw immediacy without softening its impact.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ra‘ad captures a physical shaking that arises from encountering something greater than ourselves. In Scripture, this trembling is not merely fear of punishment but a visceral response to divine power and presence. When the earth quakes or people shake in awe, it signals that God is actively intervening in history.
This rare verb appears only three times, each instance marking a moment where the boundary between heaven and earth feels thin. Whether it is the ground shaking under God’s touch or individuals trembling before an angelic messenger, the word reminds us that reverence for God involves our whole being—body and spirit alike. It invites us to approach His presence with humility and wonder.
In your own life, moments of awe can stir similar feelings. Perhaps you have felt shaken by the weight of God’s holiness or the depth of His love. This word assures us that such responses are natural and holy. They reflect a heart attuned to the reality of who God is, grounding our faith in the tangible experience of His majesty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- trembling2×
- and/ it trembled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַרְעִידִ֥ים1×
- מַרְעִֽיד\׃1×
- וַ/תִּרְעָ֑ד1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 104:32
He looks at the earth, and it trembles. He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
This verse highlights the cosmic scale of God’s power, showing how His mere glance causes the earth to tremble, emphasizing His sovereign control over creation.
-
Daniel 10:11
He said to me, “Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have been sent to you, now.” When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.
Here, Daniel’s trembling reflects the overwhelming impact of divine communication, illustrating how encounters with God’s messengers can stir deep reverence and awe in the believer.
-
Ezra 10:9
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together to Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the wide place in front of God’s house, trembling because of this matter, and because of the great rain.
The people’s trembling in Ezra underscores the seriousness of repentance and obedience before God, showing how communal reverence manifests in physical response to spiritual conviction.