σείω

From the study of Matthew 28:4

Range of meaning

To shake, agitate or cause to quake. It is used of the earth in an earthquake, of a city in uproar (Matt 21:10, 'the whole city was stirred') and of people shaking with fear. The related noun seismos means 'shaking' or 'earthquake'.

Against the English

BSB and ESV say 'trembled'. KJV, WEB, YLT and NASB say 'shook/shake'. Both are accurate. 'Trembled' sounds like an inner shiver and hides the link to the earthquake in v.2. 'Shook' keeps the physical, seismic picture.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint), seiō and seismos describe the earth and mountains shaking when God appears (e.g. Judg 5:4; Ps 68:8 [LXX 67:9]; Hag 2:6, 'I will shake the heavens and the earth'). Matthew uses the word cluster in a pattern: at Jesus' death 'the earth was shaken (eseisthē)' (27:51), the centurion's guard saw 'the earthquake (seismon)' (27:54), at the tomb there was 'a great earthquake (seismos megas)' (28:2), and here the guards 'were shaken (eseisthēsan)'.

From the study of Matthew 21:10

Range of meaning

To shake, move back and forth, cause to quake. Used literally of earthquakes and shaken objects, and in a transferred sense of people or communities thrown into agitation, alarm or upheaval. BDAG gives "shake, agitate" and, for this verse, a city "stirred" or "in turmoil". The related noun σεισμός (seismos) means earthquake, or a violent storm at sea.

Against the English

KJV/YLT "moved", BSB/WEB/NIV "stirred" or "stirred up", NLT "in an uproar". "Stirred" is accurate but soft: it can suggest a pleasant buzz. "Moved" now usually means emotionally touched. The Greek pictures a city that quaked.

How it drifted

The KJV took "moved" from the Latin Vulgate's commota est ("was set in motion, agitated"). In 1611 "moved" could mean disturbed or agitated. Today it mostly means emotionally affected ("I was so moved"), so the line now sounds like the city was touched rather than thrown into turmoil.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, or LXX) σείω is the language of God appearing in power: "the earth shook" (Judges 5:4; Psalm 68:8 [LXX 67:9]). Haggai 2:6–7 has God say "I will shake heaven and earth… and I will shake all the nations… and I will fill this house [the Temple] with glory." In the New Testament it describes the earth shaking at the crucifixion (Matt 27:51, the identical form ἐσείσθη), the guards shaking with fear at the tomb (28:4, where an earthquake has just struck in 28:2), the eschatological shaking of heaven and earth (Heb 12:26), and a fig tree shaken by wind (Rev 6:13). Matthew also uses σεισμός for the storm in 8:24, after which the disciples ask, "What sort of man is this?" (8:27).

From the study of Matthew 27:51

Range of meaning

To shake, make tremble. Used of earthquakes, and figuratively of a crowd or city being stirred up or alarmed.

Against the English

'The earth quaked' (KJV, BSB, WEB) is accurate. The passive 'was shaken' (YLT-like) hints more strongly that something acted on the earth.

Used elsewhere in the period

In OT theophanies (scenes where God shows himself) the earth shakes when God comes: Judg 5:4; Ps 18:7 (LXX 17:8); Ps 68:8; Joel 2:10; Hag 2:6 (LXX, 'I will shake the heaven and the earth', using seiō). Amos 8:8–9 pairs a quaking land with the sun going down at noon, compare the darkness in Matt 27:45. Matthew uses the word family deliberately: the whole city 'was shaken' (eseisthē) when Jesus entered (21:10), 'earthquakes' are birth-pains of the end (24:7), and a 'great earthquake' accompanies the angel at the tomb (28:2).