Original Word: רָעַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ra`ad
Pronunciation: rah-ahd
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-ad')
NASB: trembling, trembles
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. tremble

tremble

A primitive root: to shudder (more or less violently) -- tremble.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to tremble, quake
NASB Translation
trembles (1), trembling (2).

[רָעַד] verb tremble, quake (Late Hebrew id., Hiph`il shake (rare), רְעָדָה a trembling, shaking; Arabic thunder (said of sky), VIII. tremble, quiver; Ethiopic tremble; Jewish-Aramaic רְעַד tremble, shake); —

Qal Imperfect3feminine singular וַתִּרְעָ֑ד Psalm 104:32 and it (the earth) trembleth at the gaze of ׳י, in theoph.

Hiph`il Participle עָמַדְתִּי מַרְעִיד Daniel 10:11 I stood trembling; plural מַרְעִדִים Ezra 10:9, with יָשַׁב.

Root Meaning and Semantic Range

The verb conveys the idea of shaking, quivering, or shuddering, whether from cold, fear, awe, or the immediate impact of divine presence. Scripture uses it to describe both natural phenomena and the reaction of human beings confronted by overwhelming realities.

Old Testament Usage

1. Physical and Emotional Shock (Job 4:14)

Eliphaz recounts a night vision in which “trembling and shuddering seized me and made all my bones shake”. The word paints a picture of bodily reaction to a supernatural encounter—an involuntary response when finite humanity perceives the unseen realm.

2. Corporate Conviction (Ezra 10:9)

When the returned exiles assemble at Jerusalem over intermarriage with foreign women, they sit “trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain.” The same verb links moral conviction with inclement weather, underscoring that both conscience and creation can drive people to earnest repentance.

3. Cosmic Reverence (Psalm 104:32)

Speaking of the LORD’s sovereignty over creation, the psalmist declares, “He looks upon the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smolder.” Here the earth itself responds in quaking submission, magnifying divine majesty.

4. Personal Awe in Prophetic Vision (Daniel 10:11)

Daniel records the angelic summons: “Daniel, you who are highly precious, understand the words that I speak to you….” Although the verse itself does not repeat the verb in translation, the narrative context reveals Daniel quaking before heavenly glory, illustrating the same inner shaking that accompanies direct revelation.

Historical Contexts

• Post-exilic restoration (Ezra) shows communal trembling leading to covenant renewal.
• Wisdom literature (Job) highlights the limits of human understanding when confronted by the supernatural.
• Hymnic praise (Psalms) attributes trembling to the created order, affirming God’s unrivaled supremacy.
• Apocalyptic vision (Daniel) portrays righteous fear in prophetic reception.

Theological and Ministry Significance

Trembling is never presented as mere panic; it is a gateway to reverence, confession, and obedience. In revival settings, genuine conviction often precedes lasting reform, paralleling Ezra 10. Pastoral ministry may thus expect seasons when the Spirit produces visible awe that should be shepherded toward repentance and faith.

Christological and New Testament Resonance

Though the Hebrew verb does not appear in the Greek Scriptures, its ethos echoes in passages such as Philippians 2:12, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” and Hebrews 12:21, citing Moses: “I am trembling with fear.” The phenomenology of trembling underscores the continuity of holy awe from Sinai to Zion and ultimately to the cross, where darkness and earthquake attend the Crucified Lord (Matthew 27:51).

Practical Application for Believers

• Personal Worship: Allow moments of stillness where heart and body acknowledge God’s grandeur.
• Confession: Like the exiles, respond quickly when the Word exposes sin.
• Preaching and Teaching: Present divine holiness in a way that moves hearers beyond information to transformation.
• Intercessory Prayer: Recognize that trembling may accompany deep spiritual burden and should not be stifled.

Conclusion

The biblical motif of trembling grounds the believer in reality—God is infinitely glorious, creation is responsive, and humanity is accountable. Whether through storm clouds, prophetic visions, or convicting sermons, the appropriate posture is humble quaking that yields surrendered obedience and exalted praise.

וַתִּרְעָ֑ד וּרְעָדָ֑ה ורעדה ותרעד מַרְעִֽיד׃ מַרְעִידִ֥ים מרעיד׃ מרעידים mar‘îḏ mar‘îḏîm mar·‘î·ḏîm mar·‘îḏ marId mariDim ū·rə·‘ā·ḏāh ūrə‘āḏāh ureaDah vattirAd wat·tir·‘āḏ wattir‘āḏInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts