σείωseíō
to rock (vibrate, properly, sideways or to and fro), i.e. (generally) to agitate (in any direction; cause to tremble); figuratively, to throw into a tremor (of fear or concern)
Greek (New Testament) · G4579
Meanings
to shake, move to and fro: τ. γῆν, Hebrews 12:26 (LXX); passive, ἡ γῆ, Matthew 27:51 (LXX); συκῆ, Revelation 6:13. Metaph., to agitate, stir up, with fear or some other emotion: Matthew 21:10, Matthew 28:4 (cf. ἀνα-, δια-, κατα-σείω).
Same root
- σεισμόςseismós · G4578a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake
- ἀνασείωanaseíō · G383figuratively, to excite
- κατασείωkataseíō · G2678to sway downward, i.e. make a signal
- διασείωdiaseíō · G1286to shake thoroughly, i.e. (figuratively) to intimidate
- σαίνωsaínō · G4525to wag (as a dog its tail fawningly), i.e. (generally) to shake (figuratively, disturb)
Where it appears
Appears 5 times in the Bible.
- Matthew 21:10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
- Matthew 27:51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,
- Matthew 28:4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
- Hebrews 12:26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”
- Revelation 6:13 Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind.
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.