Lexicon
σείω
seiō
G4579
G:V Greek

to shake

5
Occurrences
3
Books
Greek
Language

seio describes being shaken, from the earth and guards to a city stirred by an arrival.

The attested uses chiefly describe physical shaking or being shaken: the earth, guards, and a fig tree are presented in conditions of movement, while a future declaration extends the action to earth and heaven. A separate occurrence presents Jerusalem as stirred in response to an arrival.

Senses in use

  1. Physical shaking or being shaken · dominant

    In Hebrews 12:26, the future active form occurs in the promise to shake the earth and heaven; the APB renders the clause “I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.” The passive forms describe the earth and rocks in Matthew 27:51, the guards’ fearful reaction in Matthew 28:4, and a fig tree acted on by a great wind in Revelation 6:13.

  2. A city stirred in response · occasional

    In Matthew 21:10, the aorist passive singular form has the whole city as its subject when Jesus enters Jerusalem; the APB renders the city as “stirred,” followed by its question, “Who is this?”

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the action with “shook,” “shake,” “shaken,” and “stirred” across these verses. These renderings show the clauses’ presentation rather than fixed English equivalents.

Passages featuring this word

Across Scripture