Wednesday, June 06, 2018

SEISMOS in the Gospel of Matthew (Quotes from Blomberg)

Regarding Matthew 8:23-25:

"As commonly happened, a sudden squall arises on the Sea of Galilee. Matthew, however, calls the storm a seismos (literally, earthquake), a term used for apocalyptic upheavals (cf. 24:7; 27:54; 28:2), often with preternatural overtones. This seems to be no ordinary storm but one in which Satan is attacking. The boat is in danger of being swamped, and lives are at risk."

Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (The New American Commentary) (p. 149). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (The New American Commentary) (p. 149). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

EGF: I don't necessarily agree with the claim that the "seismos" originated with Satan although it could have (Job 1:19). The main point I want to make is what seismos might signify in Matthew's Gospel.

Regarding Matthew 21:10-11:

"The whole procession has a powerful impact on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, even though they are used to huge crowds of festival pilgrims. 'Stirred' is rather mild for eseisth (used of earthquakes and apocalyptic upheavals; 27:51; Rev 6:13). The NEB's 'wild with excitement' and Weymouth's 'was thrown into commotion' both capture the sense better."

Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (The New American Commentary) (p. 313). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (The New American Commentary) (p. 313). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Continuing with Blomberg's remarks:

"Famine ravaged Judea, as predicted in Acts 11:27-30, datable to ca. A.D. 45-47 by Josephus, Ant. 20.51-53. Earthquakes shook Laodicea in A.D. 60-61 and Pompeii in A.D. 62 (cf. also Acts 16:26)."

Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (The New American Commentary) (p. 356). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (The New American Commentary) (p. 356). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

EGF: Blomberg makes remarks throughout his commentary concerning other earthquakes (seismoi) that are mentioned by Matthew.

2 comments:

Duncan said...

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=7Fg2TiVGRQ0C&pg=PA107&lpg=PA107&dq=1+kings+19+ra%27ash&source=bl&ots=ZCc7AWmYEJ&sig=4MpvzvbeBCEQE8bfCUSnioXlDvQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijl9OwwMjbAhVjK8AKHcQnAGcQ6AEwDXoECAMQAQ#v=onepage&q=1%20kings%2019%20ra'ash&f=false

Pg 107

Edgar Foster said...

Duncan, what you posted is important to consider. However, I see the Matthean use of "earthquake" language in a different light based on the Gospel's context of utterance. Secondly, Matthew 24:6-7 has an apocalyptic setting since it regards eht "conclusion" of the age. Finally, Sefer Yezirah is a very different kind of text (esoteric) and it was written after the 1st century CE. Personally, I don't place much stock in Kabbalah explanations.