רַעַד
𐤓𐤏𐤃
raʻad
H7461 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A physical or emotional trembling, shaking, or shudder, typically provoked by fear, dread, awe, or a strong emotional response. The term refers both to literal bodily shaking and to metaphorical states of anxiety or apprehension.
Semantic Range
bodily trembling, shuddering (from fear, awe, or cold); metaphorical trembling (from emotional or spiritual shock, terror, or anticipation); acute dread; quaking in response to a fearful or divine presence
Root / Etymology
From the root רעד, which carries the basic sense 'to tremble, quake, shudder.' The noun רַעַד (raʻad) is a direct nominal formation from this root, indicating the result or state of trembling. The feminine form רְעָדָה (reʻādāh) is derived with the standard '-ah' suffix, common for abstract nouns indicating state or condition.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, רַעַד appears in a limited number of passages, often in poetic or prophetic contexts, typically to denote physical trembling caused by overwhelming fear, divine manifestation, or the anticipation of disaster (e.g., Job 21:6, Ezekiel 7:18). The noun is close in meaning to רַעַשׁ (raʻash, 'quake, commotion') and רְעָדָה (reʻādāh, 'trembling'), though רַעַד tends to focus more narrowly on the sensation or act of shuddering rather than broader turmoil. Standard translations such as 'shudder,' 'trembling,' or 'quake' accurately reflect its meaning, though English 'trembling' can sometimes suggest milder emotion than the intense dread or awe often implied in biblical contexts. The term does not acquire distinctive religious or theological meanings in later periods, but continues to be understood as a sign of acute distress, fear, or numinous experience. In later Hebrew and Aramaic, the root and its derivatives remain in use with similar meanings. The noun is rare compared to related terms and is not used of physical earthquakes (for which רַעַשׁ is more common).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (feminine) רְעָדָהxlit rᵉâdâh corrected to rᵉʻâdâh; from רָעַד; a shudder; trembling.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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רעד (r-ʿ-d) — to tremble, shudder, quake
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7460 | רָעַד | one who causes trembling |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7461-03 |
רְעָדָ֖ה | readah | HNcfsa |
trembling | trembling | 2 |
H7461-02 |
רָ֑עַד | raad | HNcmsa |
trembling | trembling | 1 |
H7461-05 |
וָ֭/רַעַד | varaad | HC/Ncmsa |
and trembling | trembling | 1 |
H7461-04 |
וּ/רְעָדָ֑ה | ureadah | HC/Ncfsa |
and trembling | trembling | 1 |
H7461-01 |
בִּ/רְעָדָֽה | bireadah | HR/Ncfsa |
with trembling | in trembling | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7461-02 |
Exodus 15:15 | רָ֑עַד | raad | HNcmsa |
trembling | trembling |
H7461-03 |
Isaiah 33:14 | רְעָדָ֖ה | readah | HNcfsa |
trembling | trembling |
H7461-01 |
Psalms 2:11 | בִּ/רְעָדָֽה | bireadah | HR/Ncfsa |
with trembling | in trembling |
H7461-03 |
Psalms 48:7 | רְ֭עָדָה | readah | HNcfsa |
trembling | trembling |
H7461-05 |
Psalms 55:6 | וָ֭/רַעַד | varaad | HC/Ncmsa |
and trembling | trembling |
H7461-04 |
Job 4:14 | וּ/רְעָדָ֑ה | ureadah | HC/Ncfsa |
and trembling | trembling |