רַ֫עַד (ra.ad)
ra.ad
trembling
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ra.ad describes a physical state of trembling or shaking. It appears in only four verses, primarily within the poetic books of Psalms, Job, and Isaiah. The word captures the involuntary reaction of the body to overwhelming force or intense emotion, serving as a concrete image for internal agitation.
Its usage often links human frailty with divine power. In Psalm 114:7, the earth itself is personified as trembling before the presence of God, highlighting creation’s response to its Creator. Similarly, in Job and Isaiah, the term illustrates how fear or awe can cause even the strong to shake, emphasizing that such reactions are natural responses to the magnitude of what is encountered.
Though rare, this word provides a vivid sensory detail in biblical poetry. It moves beyond abstract concepts of fear to describe the tangible physical manifestation of being overwhelmed. Translators typically render it as "trembling" or "quaking," preserving the sense of instability and vulnerability that characterizes the human condition before the divine.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we face situations that feel beyond our control, it is natural for our bodies to react. The Hebrew word ra.ad describes this physical trembling, a sign that we are encountering something far greater than ourselves. It reminds us that vulnerability is not a weakness but a honest response to the magnitude of God’s presence or power.
In Psalm 2:11, believers are invited to serve with reverence and joy even while trembling. This suggests that awe and gladness can coexist. We do not need to hide our fear or suppress our physical reactions; instead, we can bring our whole selves, including our shaking, into the presence of the Lord.
This word grounds our faith in reality. It acknowledges that we are finite creatures before an infinite God. Rather than fearing this trembling as a lack of faith, we can see it as a moment of clarity, where we recognize our need for divine strength and find comfort in His steady love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- trembling2×
- with/ trembling1×
- and/ trembling1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רָ֑עַד1×
- רְעָדָ֖ה1×
- וּ/רְעָדָ֑ה1×
- בִּ/רְעָדָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 2:11
Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
This verse uniquely pairs rejoicing with trembling, showing that awe of God can coexist with gladness rather than replacing it.
-
Job 4:14
fear came on me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.
Here the word describes a personal physical reaction where fear causes bones to shake, illustrating the tangible impact of spiritual encounters.
-
Exodus 15:15
Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed. Trembling takes hold of the mighty men of Moab. All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.
The term depicts mighty men losing their strength, emphasizing that human power yields completely before divine intervention.
-
Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the godless ones. Who among us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning?
Trembling is linked to the fear of God's judgment, highlighting the serious consequence of living apart from holiness.