Earthquakes in the Bible

• Psalms speak of the earth shaking and mountains tremblingPs 18:7, Ps 46:2–3, Ps 104:32
  The verses

  Ps 18:7Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger.

  Ps 46:2–3Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah

  Ps 104:32He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smolder.

Examples

• The whole of Mount Sinai quaked violentlyExod 19:18, Ps 68:8
  The verses

  Exod 19:18Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

  Ps 68:8the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God, the One on Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.
• The ground split open under Korah, Dathan, and AbiramNum 16:31–32
  The verses

  Num 16:31–32As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions.
• The earth quaked in the Philistine camp after Jonathan's attack1 Sam 14:15
  The verses

  1 Sam 14:15Then terror struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked and panic spread from God.
• Elijah on Horeb: wind, earthquake, fire, then a gentle whisper1 Kgs 19:11–12
  The verses

  1 Kgs 19:11–12Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice.
• Amos spoke two years before the earthquake, in Uzziah's dayAmos 1:1
  The verses

  Amos 1:1These are the words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa—what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, in the days when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel.
• Zechariah recalls people fleeing the earthquake in Uzziah's daysZech 14:5
  The verses

  Zech 14:5You will flee by My mountain valley, for it will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him.
• At Jesus' death the earth quaked and rocks splitMatt 27:51
  The verses

  Matt 27:51At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.
• The centurion saw the earthquake and was terrifiedMatt 27:54
  The verses

  Matt 27:54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
• A great earthquake as the stone was rolled from the tombMatt 28:2
  The verses

  Matt 28:2Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it.
• The place where the believers prayed was shakenActs 4:31
  The verses

  Acts 4:31After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
• In Philippi an earthquake opened the prison doorsActs 16:26
  The verses

  Acts 16:26Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.