Be silent before the LORD, all people, for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling." Be silentThe Hebrew root for "be silent" is "hāshâ," which conveys a sense of stillness and quietness. In the context of Scripture, silence often signifies reverence and awe before God. This call to silence is a command to recognize the majesty and authority of the LORD. It is a moment of pause, where human activity and noise are set aside to acknowledge the divine presence. In a world filled with constant noise and distraction, this call to silence is a reminder of the need to focus on God, to listen, and to be in awe of His power and holiness. before the LORD
The phrase "before the LORD" indicates a position of humility and submission. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with His people. Being "before the LORD" suggests an awareness of His omnipresence and sovereignty. It is a call to recognize that we are always in the presence of God, who sees and knows all. This awareness should lead to a life of worship, obedience, and reverence. all people
The phrase "all people" extends the call to silence to every individual, regardless of nationality or status. In the Hebrew text, "all people" is inclusive, signifying that God's authority and presence are universal. This universality underscores the message that God's actions and plans are not limited to Israel but encompass all of humanity. It is a reminder that every person is accountable to God and should respond to His presence with reverence and awe. for He has roused Himself
The phrase "for He has roused Himself" suggests a divine awakening or stirring. The Hebrew root "ʿûr" implies an active movement or preparation for action. This imagery portrays God as actively engaging in the affairs of the world, ready to execute His plans and purposes. It is a powerful reminder that God is not distant or passive but is actively involved in the lives of His people and the unfolding of history. This divine activity calls for a response of silence and awe from humanity. from His holy dwelling
The term "holy dwelling" refers to the heavenly abode of God, emphasizing His holiness and separateness from creation. The Hebrew word "qōdeš" for "holy" signifies purity, sacredness, and set-apartness. God's dwelling is not only a place of holiness but also a source of divine authority and power. The fact that God rouses Himself from His holy dwelling indicates a significant moment of divine intervention. It is a reminder of God's transcendence and immanence—He is both above all and actively present in the world. This calls for a response of worship and reverence, acknowledging His holiness and sovereign rule. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The central figure in this verse, representing God as the sovereign ruler who commands reverence and awe. 2. All PeopleRefers to all humanity, emphasizing the universal call to silence and reverence before God. 3. Holy DwellingSymbolizes God's heavenly abode, indicating His divine presence and authority. Teaching Points Reverence for GodRecognize the importance of approaching God with a heart of reverence and awe. Silence before the Lord signifies respect and acknowledgment of His majesty. God's SovereigntyUnderstand that God is active and sovereign over all creation. His "rousing" from His holy dwelling indicates His readiness to act in the world. The Power of SilenceEmbrace moments of silence in your spiritual life as opportunities to listen to God and reflect on His greatness and plans. Universal Call to WorshipAcknowledge that the call to be silent before the Lord is universal, inviting all people to recognize His authority and worship Him. Anticipation of God's ActionLive with an expectation of God's intervention in the world, trusting in His timing and purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. What does it mean to be silent before the LORD, and how can this practice be incorporated into your daily life? 2. How does recognizing God's sovereignty influence your response to life's challenges? 3. In what ways can silence enhance your personal worship and prayer time? 4. How does the concept of God's "holy dwelling" shape your understanding of His presence in your life? 5. Can you identify a situation where you need to "be silent" and trust in God's action, and how does this relate to other scriptures that emphasize waiting on the Lord? Connections to Other Scriptures Habakkuk 2:20This verse also calls for silence before the Lord, highlighting His presence in His holy temple, which parallels the call for reverence in Zechariah 2:13. Psalm 46:10Encourages stillness and recognition of God's sovereignty, similar to the call for silence in Zechariah. Revelation 8:1Describes a period of silence in heaven, reflecting the awe and anticipation of God's actions, akin to the silence commanded in Zechariah. People ZechariahPlaces Babylon, Jerusalem, ZionTopics Aroused, Awake, Dwelling, Flesh, Habitation, Holy, Hush, O, Quiet, Raised, Resting-place, Risen, Roused, Silent, WakedDictionary of Bible Themes Zechariah 2:13 1065 God, holiness of
8470 respect, for God Zechariah 2:10-13 5006 human race, destiny
7922 fellowship, with God Library The City Without Walls
'Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls.... For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.'--ZECHARIAH ii. 4, 5. Zechariah was the Prophet of the returning exiles, and his great work was to hearten them for their difficult task, with their small resources and their many foes, and to insist that the prime condition to success, on the part of that portion of the nation that had returned, was holiness. So his visions, of which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScripturePrayer for the Lord's Promised Presence. Zech 2:10
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John Newton—Olney Hymns The Lord Reigneth
Hallelujah; for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth! T he book of the Revelation, being chiefly prophetical, will not, perhaps, be fully understood, till the final accomplishment of the events shall draw near, and throw a stronger light upon the whole series. But while the learned commentators have been, hitherto, divided and perplexed in their attempts to illustrate many parts of it, there are other parts well adapted for the instruction and refreshment of plain Christians. Particularly, those passages …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever! T he Kingdom of our Lord in the heart, and in the world, is frequently compared to a building or house, of which He Himself is both the Foundation and the Architect (Isaiah 28:16 and 54:11, 12) . A building advances by degrees (I Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:20-22) , and while it is in an unfinished state, a stranger cannot, by viewing its present appearance, form an accurate judgment …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 John's Introduction.
^D John I. 1-18. ^d 1 In the beginning was the Word [a title for Jesus peculiar to the apostle John], and the Word was with God [not going before nor coming after God, but with Him at the beginning], and the Word was God. [Not more, not less.] 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him [the New Testament often speaks of Christ as the Creator--see ver. 10; I. Cor. viii. 6; Col. i. 13, 17; Heb. i. 2]; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. [This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Noble Results of this Species of Prayer
The Noble Results of this Species of Prayer Some persons, when they hear of the prayer of silence, falsely imagine, that the soul remains stupid, dead, and inactive. But, unquestionably, it acteth therein, more nobly and more extensively than it had ever done before; for God Himself is the mover, and the soul now acteth by the agency of His Spirit. When S. Paul speaks of our being led by the Spirit of God, it is not meant that we should cease from action; but that we should act through the internal …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Gifts Received for the Rebellious
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. W hen Joseph exchanged a prison for the chief honour and government of Egypt, the advantage of his exaltation was felt by those who little deserved it (Genesis 45:4, 5) . His brethren hated him, and had conspired to kill him. And though he was preserved from death, they were permitted to sell him for a bond-servant. He owed his servitude, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 This State of Prayer not one of Idleness, but of Noble Action, Wrought by the Spirit of God, and in Dependence Upon Him --The Communication Of
Some people, hearing of the prayer of silence, have wrongly imagined that the soul remains inactive, lifeless, and without movement. But the truth is, that its action is more noble and more extensive than it ever was before it entered this degree, since it is moved by God Himself, and acted upon by His Spirit. St Paul desires that we should be led by the Spirit of God (Rom. viii. 14). I do not say that there must be no action, but that we must act in dependence upon the divine movement. This …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents Zechariah
CHAPTERS I-VIII Two months after Haggai had delivered his first address to the people in 520 B.C., and a little over a month after the building of the temple had begun (Hag. i. 15), Zechariah appeared with another message of encouragement. How much it was needed we see from the popular despondency reflected in Hag. ii. 3, Jerusalem is still disconsolate (Zech. i. 17), there has been fasting and mourning, vii. 5, the city is without walls, ii. 5, the population scanty, ii. 4, and most of the people …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Zechariah 2:13 NIVZechariah 2:13 NLTZechariah 2:13 ESVZechariah 2:13 NASBZechariah 2:13 KJV
Zechariah 2:13 Commentaries
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