Be Still

It can be argued that stillness, quietness, patience, and waiting are not widely celebrated practices in western civilization, even in the western Church.

Maybe that’s why Exodus 14:14 has been a scripture of inspiration for me throughout much of my walk with Jesus. The concept of sitting still, staying silent, holding my peace while the Lord does the fighting feels…unproductive?

Like I’m relinquishing all control?

I’m sure there are many roots to explore there, however, in this study we explore the word “still” as it is translated from the Hebrew and Greek languages and dig into the cultural influences behind when and how each word is used in context.

Both Hebrew and Greek cultures valued the concept of stillness as a state of peace and reflection. In Hebrew thought, stillness is often associated with divine intervention and trust in God, while in Greek philosophy, it is linked to inner peace and tranquility. The use of "still" in scripture serves to remind believers of the importance of resting in God’s presence and recognizing His sovereignty over all aspects of life.

In the Old and New Testaments, the idea of being "still" is conveyed through various Hebrew and Greek words, each with its own differences and perspectives. In the Hebrew Bible, the word “still” is most often translated from the words “shaqat”, “dumah”, and “charash”. These words carry connotations of silence, tranquility, and the absence of turmoil.

In the NASB 1995 translation of Exodus 14:14, the word most often translated as “still”, “charash”, is translated as “silent”.

In Israelite culture, "charash" referred to the intentional act of remaining silent and was often related to wisdom and reverence, particularly in the presence of God. In Exodus 14:14 (NASB 1995), “charash” is used to emphasize a deep reliance on the intervention of Yahweh by the Israelites rather than their own human strengths and abilities.

The word "domi” only appears four times in the Old Testament and is used to express a sense of calm, quiet, and stillness. It often describes a response to awe and reverence in the presence of Yahweh, however in Isaiah 62:6-7 (NASB 1995) Isaiah the prophet instructs the watchmen on the wall to “never keep silent [“charash]. You who remind the Lord, take no rest [“domi] for yourselves; and give Him no rest [“domi”] until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

The same word that expresses a state of calm awe and reverence of the Lord is being used to instruct the watchmen to not be silent but to give the Lord “no “domi” until Jerusalem is restored and revered, once again.

Pretty bold of Isaiah, don’t you think?

The Hebrew word “shaqat” may be used to describe an experience of rest or a sense of peace after a time of conflict. It is also used to describe times of physical, emotional, or spiritual quietness and tranquility.

As one of the Hebrew words most frequently translated to “still”, second only to “charash”, “shaqat” is commonly used to describe the nation of Israel and the land experiencing a time of rest and peace after a period of war and conflict.

Psalm 83:1 is a fascinating example of several Hebrew words that can be translated to “still” being used in the same scripture. Here the words, "shaqat", “domi”, and “charash” are each used to express a different sense of stillness and silence.

“A Song, a Psalm of Asaph. O God do not remain quiet [“domi”]; Do not be silent [“charash”] and O God do not be still. [“shaqat’]” Psalm 83:1 (NASB 1995)

Psalm 83:1 could be translated as,

In the New Testament, the idea of being “still” is most often associated with the idea of the absence of chaos, remaining or becoming silent, or a state of peace and calm. The Greek words “hésuchazó”, “phimoó”, and “siópaó” are the most frequently used to convey the idea of being still or remaining silent.

The word “siópaó” is most often used to describe the act of deliberately remaining silent as well as to suggest the absence of noise or a state of peace or calm. “Hésuchazó” expresses a sense of spiritual quietness or peace and can also mean a state of rest after ceasing from labor.

 In Mark 4:39, Jesus “rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Hush (“siópaó”), be still (“phimoó”)’. And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm”. The word here translated as “be still”, “phimoó” is only done so in this scripture and is most often translated to “silence” even to the point of muzzling another, or to “be quiet”. “Phimoó” most closely relates to the Hebrew word “charash”.

We could also read Mark 4:39 as,

The Greek term “hésuchia expresses a sense of inner quietness and tranquility. It describes more than a temporary state, but a lifestyle characterized by a peaceful disposition and calm behavior even in the presence of disturbance or chaos.

It's this lifestyle we, as believers, are encouraged to pursue through their experience and relationship with Jesus, guided by the Holy Spirit.

“Hésuchia” is used only four times in scripture, each time describing a state of quietness in actions and in how believers go about their lives.

In Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica he instructs those believers who are “acting like busybodies” to “work in quiet [hésuchia] fashion” and in 1 Timothy 2:11-12 Paul uses hésuchia when instructing women in the church to “learn in quietness”

It’s important to point out that hésuchia does not mean to refrain from speaking but to conduct oneself with calm and tranquility that comes from God-centered living.

In this time of upheaval and seemingly increasing chaos, division, and unrest in the world we, friends of Jesus, have all we need to access and nurture a life of stillness, calm, and inner peace.

As friends of Jesus we have the “peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension” (Philippians 4:7 NASB 1995), we know that “nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37 NASB 1995), and we have access to the Holy Spirit who is our Parakletos (helper, advocate, comforter, counselor)  who Jesus said, “the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things…” to guide us through troubled times.

Be still and know, my friends.

Word Challenge:

Find other times and example in the Old and New Testaments when Believers showed peace in times of chaos and danger or when God’s people were instructed how to respond to stressful situations in their everyday lives.