Original Word: מוֹט
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: mowt
Pronunciation: moht
Phonetic Spelling: (mote)
KJV: be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, X exceedingly, fall(-ing down), be (re-)moved, be ready, shake, slide, slip
NASB: shaken, moved, slip, totter, slipped, bring down, fall
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to waver
2. (by implication) , to slip, shake, fall

be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, exceedingly, falling down

A primitive root; to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall -- be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, X exceedingly, fall(-ing down), be (re-)moved, be ready, shake, slide, slip.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to totter, shake, slip
NASB Translation
bring down (1), fall (1), falter (1), gives way (1), immovable* (1), moved (8), shake (1), shaken (11), shaken violently (1), slip (4), slipped (2), slips (1), staggering (1), totter (3), tottered (1), totters (1).

[מוֺט] verb totter, shake, slip (usually in poetry) (Late Hebrew id., derived species; Aramaic , מוּט; Arabic (medial י) remove, retire; deviate from right course; repel, push, thrust; Ethiopic turn; Assyrian ma‰û is dwindle, diminish, grow weak Dl^{HWB 405}; > denominative from מוט pole, bar Dl^Prol.184 Gerber^{Verb. denominative 195 f.}, compare Buhl); —

Qal Perfect3feminine singular מָ֫טָה Psalm 60:4 2t.; 3 plural מָ֫טוּ Psalm 46:7; Imperfect3feminine singular תָּמוּט Deuteronomy 32:35; Isaiah 54:10; 3feminine plural תְּמוּטֶינָה Isaiah 54:10; Infinitive construct מוֺט Psalm 38:17; Psalm 46:3; absolute id. Isaiah 24:19; Participle מָט Isaiah 25:26; plural מָטִים Proverbs 24:11; — totter, slip, subject רֶגֶל (figurative of insecurity) Deuteronomy 32:35; Psalm 38:17; Psalm 94:18: compare (without רֶגֶל) Proverbs 24:11 לַהֶרֶד ׳מ; לִפְנֵירָֿשָׁע ׳מ Proverbs 25:26; shake, intransitive, subject יָד Leviticus 25:35 (H; of feebleness); subject גְּבָעוֺת Isaiah 54:10 ("" מוּשׁ); הָרִים בְלֵב יַמִּים ׳מ Psalm 46:3 ("" הֵמִיר, compare מור) (both symbolic of extreme insecurity); compare subject בְּרִית Isaiah 54:10; subject מַמְלָכוֺת Psalm 46:7; subject אֶרֶץ (= land) Psalm 60:4; compare Isaiah 24:19 (see below Hithpa`el)

Niph`al Perfect3plural נָמ֫וֺטוּ Psalm 17:5; Imperfect יִמּוֺט Psalm 15:5 8t., etc.; — all in poetry, mostly with negative (בַּל13t.; לֹא6t.), be shaken, moved, overthrown, of idols Isaiah 40:20; Isaiah 41:7; of scales of crocodile Job 41:15; of תֵּבֵל 1 Chronicles 16:30 = Psalm 93:1; Psalm 96:10; of אֶרֶץ Psalm 104:5; of הַרצִֿיּוֺן Psalm 125:1, compare Psalm 46:6; figurative of General disorder (no negative), subject מוֺסְדֵי אֶרֶץ Psalm 82:5; often of righteous, as secure, Psalm 10:6; Psalm 15:5; Psalm 16:8; Psalm 21:8; Psalm 30:7; Psalm 62:3; Psalm 62:7; Psalm 112:6; Proverbs 10:30; Proverbs 12:3 (subject צַדִּיקִים שֹׁרֶשׁ); compare (without negative) Psalm 13:5; Psalm 140:11 Qr (so apparently ᵐ5 AV RV; but meaning of Niph`al not suitable; Kt Hiph`il q. v.); figurative of steadfast obedience (subject מְּעָמַי) Psalm 17:5.

Hiph`il Imperfect3masculine plural יָמִ֫יטוּ Psalm 55:4; Psalm 140:11 Kt (Qr

Niph`al); — dislodge, let fall, drop יָמִיטוּ עָלַי אָ֫וֶן Psalm 55:4; compare גֶּחָלִים וימיטו עֲלֵיהֶם Psalm 140:11 Kt, and may they drop coals upon them, De and others; < read יַמְטִיר (Hup Gr Bae Dr), which Bi Che insert.

Hithpo`el. Perfect3feminine singular הִתְמוֺטְטָה מוֺט Isaiah 24:19 be greatly shaken (subject אֶדֶץ in judgment of' ׳י; "" רעע, פרר, Hithpa`el)

Semantic Range and Theological Overview

The verb מוֹט expresses the experience of tottering, slipping, or being shaken out of place. Used both literally (the quaking of the earth) and metaphorically (emotional or spiritual instability), it creates a vivid contrast between the insecurity of life apart from God and the steadfastness He grants to His own. Across the Torah, Writings, and Prophets, the word underscores that the Lord alone is the immovable foundation of creation, covenant, and personal faith.

Instability and Divine Judgment

1 Samuel 2:8 declares that the Lord “guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness.” Here the security of the righteous is set against the tottering destiny of the wicked. Isaiah 24:19 pictures cosmic disaster: “The earth is utterly broken apart, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken violently.” National collapse (Psalm 46:6), personal calamity (Psalm 38:16), and final judgment (Nahum 1:5) are all described with מוֹט to emphasize that nothing created can withstand divine wrath.

Security in the Covenant Lord

The Psalter repeatedly uses מוֹט to assure worshipers that covenant trust renders them unshakable:
• Psalm 15:5 “He who does these things will never be shaken.”
• Psalm 16:8 “Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
• Psalm 62:2 “He alone is my rock and my salvation… I will never be shaken.”
• Psalm 121:3 “He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.”

Believers are thus invited to anchor their confidence in the steadfast character of Yahweh rather than in changing circumstances.

Moral and Ethical Applications

Proverbs contrasts righteous stability with wicked instability:
• Proverbs 10:30 “The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not inhabit the land.”
• Proverbs 12:3 “A man cannot be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous cannot be moved.”

Ethical choices determine whether one’s life stands firm or collapses. The wisdom tradition encourages practical holiness as the path to an unshakable future.

Messianic and Eschatological Hints

Psalm 55:22 prefigures the Messiah’s call: “Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” Peter cites this promise (1 Peter 5:7) and applies it to the church. Hebrews 12:26–28 connects the coming cosmic shaking announced by Haggai to the establishment of an “unshakable kingdom,” grounding Christian hope in the final triumph of Christ.

Liturgical and Devotional Use

Jewish and Christian worship traditions employ Psalm 16 and Psalm 62 in liturgy, personal prayer, and hymnody to celebrate divine stability. Pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem recited Psalm 121, affirming that their footing would not slip on treacherous mountain paths—an image readily adapted by believers today in times of travel, transition, or trial.

Pastoral and Homiletical Reflections

1. Assurance in uncertainty: Pastors often pair Psalm 46 and Psalm 62 when counseling those facing upheaval, highlighting that political, economic, or personal earthquakes cannot unsettle those whose refuge is God.
2. Spiritual vigilance: Psalm 30:6–7 warns against complacency—“When I felt secure, I said, ‘I will never be shaken.’ … but when You hid Your face, I was dismayed.” Confidence must rest in grace, not self-reliance.
3. Encouragement to perseverance: Proverbs 24:16, though not using מוֹט, complements its theme by affirming that “though a righteous man falls seven times, he will rise again.” Even when believers stumble, they are ultimately kept from the irreversible fall.

Intercanonical Connections

The imagery of shaking in Haggai 2:6 is expanded in Hebrews 12:26–27, linking Old Testament prophecy to New Testament consummation. Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24–27) echoes the Hebrew concept: foundations matter when storms come. In Acts 2, the physical shaking of the house anticipates the Spirit’s empowering presence that secures the church’s witness amid persecution.

Selected Occurrences

Genesis 49:24; Deuteronomy 32:35; 1 Samuel 2:10; 2 Samuel 22:8; Job 41:23; Psalm 15:5; Psalm 16:8; Psalm 21:7; Psalm 30:6; Psalm 46:5–6; Psalm 55:22; Psalm 62:2, 6; Psalm 66:9; Psalm 93:1; Psalm 112:6; Psalm 121:3; Psalm 125:1; Proverbs 10:30; Proverbs 12:3; Isaiah 24:19; Isaiah 40:20; Isaiah 41:7; Jeremiah 23:12; Ezekiel 23:42; Nahum 1:5; Zechariah 12:3; Haggai 2:6–7.

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