רַ֫עַשׁ (ra.ash)
ra.ash
quaking
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun raash describes a sudden, violent shaking or quaking. In the Old Testament, it most commonly refers to an earthquake, capturing the terrifying power of the earth itself trembling under divine presence. This physical instability serves as a metaphor for profound disturbance, whether in the landscape or within the human heart.
Its usage spans both cosmic and personal scales. In 1 Kings 19:11, God is not found in the great wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but in a gentle whisper, highlighting raash as a backdrop against which subtle grace appears. Similarly, Jeremiah uses the term to depict nations trembling in fear before judgment (Jeremiah 4:24), while Zechariah employs it to describe the reactive quaking of enemies when God intervenes on behalf of His people (Zechariah 14:13).
The word also extends to the rapid, trembling motion of a dart or weapon in flight, emphasizing speed and instability. This range of meanings unites the physical shaking of the ground with the psychological tremor of awe or fear. Translators typically render it as "quaking" or "trembling," preserving the sense of involuntary reaction to a powerful force.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word raash captures that sudden, violent shaking we feel when the ground gives way. In Scripture, it often describes an earthquake, a raw display of power that leaves no doubt about who holds the earth together. When the landscape trembles, it reminds us that our stability does not come from steady soil, but from the One who commands it.
Yet this word also points to something quieter. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah stands on the mountain waiting for God. He witnesses a great wind, an earthquake, and fire, but God is not in those displays of force. After the shaking stops, there comes a gentle whisper. The raash fades, leaving space for a voice that can be heard clearly.
This offers a gentle invitation to look beyond the loud noises in your life. When things feel unstable or overwhelming, remember that God often speaks in the stillness that follows the tremor. You do not need to shout to be heard by Him; He is present in the peace that remains after the storm passes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ earthquake3×
- with/ shaking1×
- from/ [the] rattling1×
- and/ with/ earthquake1×
- and/ a din1×
- an earthquake1×
- [was] in the/ earthquake1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רַ֔עַשׁ1×
- מֵ/רַ֣עַשׁ1×
- וּ/בְ/רַ֖עַשׁ1×
- וְ/רַ֥עַשׁ1×
- הָ/רָֽעַשׁ\׃1×
- הָ/רַ֙עַשׁ֙1×
- הָ/רַ֔עַשׁ1×
- בְּ/רַ֣עַשׁ1×
- בָ/רַ֖עַשׁ1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 19:11
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before Yahweh.” Behold, Yahweh passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before Yahweh; but Yahweh was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake; but Yahweh was not in the earthquake.
This verse establishes the earthquake as a powerful but incomplete revelation of God, setting the stage for a more intimate encounter.
-
I Kings 19:12
After the earthquake a fire passed; but Yahweh was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a still small voice.
Here the shaking ceases completely, allowing the 'still small voice' to emerge as the true medium of divine communication.
-
Amos 1:1
The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
The prophet anchors his message in a historical earthquake, showing how physical disasters serve as reminders of God's sovereignty over history.
-
Zechariah 14:5
You shall flee by the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azel. Yes, you shall flee, just like you fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Yahweh my God will come, and all the holy ones with you.
This reference uses the memory of Uzziah's earthquake to illustrate the inevitable and terrifying arrival of the Lord in judgment and salvation.