mentioned among the extraordinary phenomena of Palestine ( Psalms 18:7 ; Compare Habakkuk 3:6 ; Nahum 1:5 ; Isaiah 5:25 ).
The first earthquake in Palestine of which we have any record happened in the reign of Ahab ( 1 Kings 19:11 1 Kings 19:12 ). Another took place in the days of Uzziah, King of Judah ( Zechariah 14:5 ). The most memorable earthquake taking place in New Testament times happened at the crucifixion of our Lord ( Matthew 27:54 ). An earthquake at Philippi shook the prison in which Paul and Silas were imprisoned (Act 16:26 ).
It is used figuratively as a token of the presence of the Lord ( Judges 5:4 ; 2 Sam 22:8 ; Psalms 77:18 ; 97:4 ; 104:32 ).
These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.
[S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary
Bibliography InformationEaston, Matthew George. "Entry for Earthquake". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .