earthquake Summary and Overview

mentioned among the extraordinary phenomena of Israel (Ps. 18:7; compare Hab. 3:6; Nah. 1:5; Isa. 5:25). The first earthquake in Israel of which we have any record happened in the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 19:11, 12). Another took place in the days of Uzziah, King of Judah (Zech. 14:5). The most memorable earthquake taking place in New Testament times happened at the crucifixion of our Lord (Matt. 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 (Judg. 5:4; 2 Sam. 22:8; Ps. 77:18; 97:4; 104:32).

Earthquakes, more or less violent, are of frequent occurrence in Israel. The most remarkable occurred in the reign of Uzziah. #Zec 14:5| From #Zec 14:4| we are led to infer that a great convulsion took place at this time in the Mount of Olives, the mountain being split so as to leave a valley between its summit. An earthquake occurred at the time of our Saviour's crucifixion. #Mt 27:51-54| Earthquakes are not unfrequently accompanied by fissures of the earth's surface; instances of this are recorded in connection with the destruction of Korah and his company, #Nu 16:32| and at the time of our Lord's death, #Mt 27:51| the former may be paralleled by a similar occurrence at Oppido in Calabria A.D. 1783, where the earth opened to the extent of five hundred and a depth of more than two hundred feet.

EARTHQUAKE . Korah and his companions were destroyed by the rending asunder of the ground where they stood, thus engulfing them in the cavity, Num 16:32; in other words, by an earthquake. The earthquake mentioned in Am 1:1; Zech 14:5 is also mentioned by Josephus, who adds that it divided a mountain near Jerusalem, and was so violent as to separate one part some distance from the other. The earthquake was among the fearful signs which attended the crucifixion of our Saviour. Matt 27:51-54. Earthquakes are mentioned among the calamities which should, and did, precede the destruction of Jerusalem. Matt 24:7. Earthquakes, in prophetical language, denote revolutions and commotions in states and empires. An earthquake, "conveying the idea of some universal and unlimited danger," as Humboldt says, was an appropriate illustration of the awe which strikes the soul when God seems to draw nigh. It is therefore a fitting token of his presence, IKgs 19:11, and is used in Scripture, poetry, and prophecy in descriptions of the coming of Jehovah. Jud 5:4; 2 Sam 22:8; Ps 77:18; Ps 97:4; Ps 104:32; Am 8:8; Hab 3:10.

Traces of volcanic agency abound in Israel. Yet the only recorded earthquake is that in Uzziah's reign (Amos 1:1). It must have been a terrible one, since two and a half centuries later it was still being made an epoch in Zechariah 14:5; his sin in the spiritual world was connected with the convulsion in the natural world. Such physical signs and premonitory upheavals shall accompany the closing conflict between the powers of light and darkness (Isaiah 24:20; Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 24:7). Also that in 1 Kings 19:11. The awe it inspires made it an accompaniment attributed to Jehovah's presence (Judges 5:4; 2 Samuel 22:8; Psalm 77:18; Psalm 104:32; Amos 8:8; Habakkuk 3:10). The valley of Siddim, S. of the Dead Sea, probably subsided owing to an earthquake. Bela is so-called ("swallowed up") from having been engulfed by an earthquake, as Dathan and Abiram were (Numbers 16:30-32; Genesis 14:2). The miraculous darkness and earthquake at our Lord's death (Matthew 27:51-54) agree with the natural fact of darkness often accompanying earthquakes. The Jordan Valley, with a lower and a lower valley, the sulphurous and bituminous neighborhood of the Dead Sea, the lava, pumice stones, and hot springs, the crater like depression of the Dead Sea, 1,300 ft. below the Mediterranean level, and 3,500 ft. below Jerusalem, only 20 miles away (the deepest depression on the earth), its basaltic columns, disturbed strata, and numerous crevices, all betoken action of volcanoes and earthquakes. The line of earthquakes extends from Hebron and Jerusalem to Baalbek and Aleppo, from S.W. to N.E., following the central chain of Syria, parallel to the Jordan Valley, and terminating in the volcanic slope of Taurus on the N. and in the mountains of Arabia Petrea on the S.