σείω (G4579) — Greek Lexicon

σείω

seíō

G4579 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To cause to move or vibrate back and forth, to shake or agitate physically; also, by extension, to cause emotional disturbance or turmoil, to throw into agitation. The primary meaning is a physical shaking or quaking (as of earth, buildings, objects, or people); figuratively, it describes being thrown into mental or emotional commotion such as fear, alarm, or distress.

Semantic Range

to shake (physically), to quake, to cause to tremble, to stir up (emotionally), to throw into agitation or tumult, to disturb (emotionally or socially)

Root / Etymology

A primary Greek verb; not transparently derived from another known Greek root, possibly of imitative origin or formed within the Greek language to express a vibrating or shaking motion. Etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb σείω appears in both classical and Koine Greek texts, with consistent use for physical shaking—of objects (e.g., trees, doors), the ground (earthquakes), or crowds (tumult). In the Septuagint, it translates Hebrew verbs for shaking or quaking, especially in the context of the earth trembling. In the New Testament, it is used for significant 'shaking' events, such as earthquakes or overwhelming emotional states (see Matthew 21:10—the whole city is 'stirred', Matthew 27:51—earth shaking at the crucifixion, and Acts 4:31—the place where they were gathered is 'shaken'). The figurative use for emotional disturbance or fear is attested but less common. Standard English translations often render the physical sense as 'shake', 'quake', or 'move', but may obscure the emotional sense by using terms like 'stir'. The related noun σεισμός (G4578) specifically means 'earthquake' and is derived from the same root, showing a focus on violent motion or upheaval.

Translation Consistency

primary "shake" 1 occurrence

The primary sense of σείω is physical shaking/quaking, and 'shake' naturally covers physical shaking, quaking/trembling and the common figurative sense of disturbing or agitating (to shake someone up). It matches the attested English renderings (e.g. 'shaken', 'shake') and is the most natural, consistent base verb for all forms under this Strong's number.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):

"shaken" (4x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary verb; to rock (vibrate, properly, sideways or to and fro), i.e. (generally) to agitate (in any direction; cause to tremble); figuratively, to throw into a tremor (of fear or concern):--move, quake, shake.

Root Family

σει- (diaseíō) — to shake, to move violently, to agitate

Root σει- to shake, to cause to move back and forth, to agitate

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G1286	διασείω	you may shake violently
G2678	κατασείω	having signaled downward by shaking
G383	ἀνασείω	he shakes up

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4579-01`	ἐσείσθη	eseisthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	shook	was shaken	was shaken	2
`G4579-02`	ἐσείσθησαν	eseisthesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	shook	they were shaken	they were shaken	1
`G4579-03`	σειομένη	seiomene	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG`	shaken	being shaken	being shaken	1
`G4579-04`	σείσω	seiso	`V FUT ACT IND 1P SG`	will shake	I will shake	will shake	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4579-01`	Matthew 21:10	ἐσείσθη	eseisthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was stirred	was shaken	was shaken
`G4579-01`	Matthew 27:51	ἐσείσθη	eseisthe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	shook	was shaken	was shaken
`G4579-02`	Matthew 28:4	ἐσείσθησαν	eseisthesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	shook	they were shaken	they were shaken
`G4579-04`	Hebrews 12:26	σείσω	seiso	`V FUT ACT IND 1P SG`	will shake	I will shake	will shake
`G4579-03`	Revelation 6:13	σειομένη	seiomene	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG`	shaken	being shaken	being shaken

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