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רַעַשׁ

𐤓𐤏𐤔

raʻash

H7494 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A tremor or quaking, especially as a physical shaking of the earth (earthquake), or a tumultuous movement or noise indicative of commotion, disturbance, or uproar. The term is employed for (1) literal seismic events such as earthquakes, (2) the tumultuous noise or agitation of peoples, armies, or other forces, and (3) the audible or perceptible reverberation (rattling, trembling, din) associated with movement or alarm.

Semantic Range

earthquake, seismic tremor, shaking, quaking, tumult, uproar, clamor, confusion, rattling, reverberation, agitation, commotion

Root / Etymology

Root ר-ע-ש (רעש), meaning 'to quake, shake, be in commotion.' The noun form רַעַשׁ derives directly from this verbal root, capturing the result or product of quaking or tumult, whether physical or metaphorical.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רַעַשׁ occurs both with reference to actual geological events (e.g., earthquakes in prophetic and narrative literature) and as a metaphor for political or military disturbance (Isaiah, Ezekiel). It can denote chaotic, fear-inducing noise (such as the rattling of bones in Ezekiel 37:7), and is often set in parallelism with terms for uproar, tumult, or alarm. The standard English translation 'earthquake' does not encompass the broader use for general tumult or clamor, nor does it capture metaphorical senses. Unlike דֶּמֶשׁ ('silence') or שֶׁקֶט ('quiet'), רַעַשׁ inherently connotes audible, disruptive energy. In post-exilic and late biblical Hebrew, the meaning tends to focus more narrowly on seismic activity, although earlier uses are more metaphorical or general. Later Jewish literature sometimes preserves only the narrower sense. In premodern English translation, 'earthquake' became favored, which may misrepresent instances where social or martial tumult is meant. No clear evidence links רַעַשׁ to ritual contexts; it indicates the physical or social phenomenon itself.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from רָעַשׁ; vibration, bounding, uproar; commotion, confused noise, earthquake, fierceness, quaking, rattling, rushing, shaking.

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Root Family

רעש (r-ʿ-š) — to shake, to quake, to be in commotion

Root רעש to shake, to quake, to be in commotion

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7494-05 רַ֔עַשׁ raash HNcmsa earthquake quaking commotion quaking commotion 6
H7494-02 הָ/רַ֨עַשׁ֙ haraash HTd/Ncmsa the earthquake the quaking the earthquake 3
H7494-01 בְּ/רַ֔עַשׁ beraash HR/Ncmsa with trembling in quaking in quaking 3
H7494-08 וְ/רַ֥עַשׁ veraash HC/Ncmsa and commotion quaking and commotion 1
H7494-07 בָ/רַ֖עַשׁ varaash HRd/Ncmsa in the earthquake in quaking in the earthquake 1
H7494-03 לְ/רַ֣עַשׁ leraash HR/Ncmsc at the rattling for quaking at the rattling 1
H7494-06 וּ/בְ/רַ֖עַשׁ uveraash HC/R/Ncmsa and with earthquake and in quaking and in quaking 1
H7494-04 מֵ/רַ֣עַשׁ meraash HR/Ncmsc from the rushing from the quaking of from the tumult of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7494-05 1 Kings 19:11 רַ֔עַשׁ raash HNcmsa earthquake quaking commotion earthquake
H7494-07 1 Kings 19:11 בָ/רַ֖עַשׁ varaash HRd/Ncmsa in the earthquake in quaking in the earthquake
H7494-02 1 Kings 19:12 הָ/רַ֨עַשׁ֙ haraash HTd/Ncmsa the earthquake the quaking the earthquake
H7494-01 Isaiah 9:4 בְּ/רַ֔עַשׁ beraash HR/Ncmsa in-quake in quaking in quaking
H7494-06 Isaiah 29:6 וּ/בְ/רַ֖עַשׁ uveraash HC/R/Ncmsa and with earthquake and in quaking and in quaking
H7494-08 Jeremiah 10:22 וְ/רַ֥עַשׁ veraash HC/Ncmsa and commotion quaking and commotion
H7494-04 Jeremiah 47:3 מֵ/רַ֣עַשׁ meraash HR/Ncmsc from the rushing from the quaking of from the tumult of
H7494-05 Ezekiel 3:12 רַ֣עַשׁ raash HNcmsa rumbling quaking commotion quaking commotion
H7494-05 Ezekiel 3:13 רַ֥עַשׁ raash HNcmsa of rumbling quaking commotion rumbling
H7494-01 Ezekiel 12:18 בְּ/רַ֣עַשׁ beraash HR/Ncmsa with trembling in quaking in quaking
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