[Greek] σεισμός (seismos), [Latin] motus: earthquake, storm, tempest, commotion, shaking, disaster; Mt.8:24,Mt. 24:7,Mt.27:54, Mk.13:8, Lk.21:11, Act. 16:26,36
Moses and the Hebrews at Mt. Sinai
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means shaking, shock, earthquake, agitation, and commotion. Euripides’ Heracles 862 states “Neither ocean with its fiercely groaning waves, nor the earthquake, nor the thunderbolt with blasts of energy shall be like the headlong rush.” Herodotus’ The Histories 4.28 states “If there is an earthquake summer or winter, it is considered a portent in Scythia.” Euripides’ Prometheus Bound 1166 states “By itself or did an earthquake turn it?”
Old Testament: The earth is personified. It shakes because of events which disturb its order. There are vivid descriptions of earthquakes in the Old Testament. There is a prevalence of seismic activity in Palestine. The more common examples are theophanies and manifestations of God. The shaking of heaven and earth is a constant theme. When God appears at Sinai, there is a storm which produces an earthquake, fire and winds. In the New Testament, these theophanies (earthquakes and storms) begins the process of ushering in a new Messianic age.
New Testament: This term means violent storm and earthquake. A violent storm came upon the sea and shook the boat. Jesus was still asleep. Earthquakes will occur from place to place on the coming of the Lord. The soldiers keeping watch over Jesus greatly feared the earthquake. After the earthquake an angel descended from heaven and rolled back the stone. An earthquake shook the foundation of the jail. All the doors flew open.
Scripture:
“Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes from place to place and there will be famines. These are the beginning of the end times.” Mk. 13:8
Jesus foreshadows of the calamities that will come at the end times.
“Suddenly a violent storm came upon the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves, but He was asleep.” Mt. 8:24
Jesus shows that he can control the storm. The storm references the earthquake, commonly used in apocalyptic literature for the shaking of the old world when God brings in His kingdom.
“And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone.” Mt.28:2
This earthquake represents that the new age has broken in with death and resurrection of Jesus.
The disciples in a violent storm
Conclusion:
Seismic, seismology, motion
From this comes the words seismic and seismology. It is interesting to note that the storm on the water becomes a metaphor for shaking of the world and preceding the coming of the Son of Man.