Dictionary of Bible Themes A stillness or absence of noise, often associated with the absence of life or people, but also associated with a sense of expectancy or reverence, especially in the presence of God. Scripture stresses that God is not silent, but has spoken his word to his creation. The silence of Jesus Christ before his accusers is seen as the fulfilment of OT prophecy. Psalms 50:21The silence of God See also His apparent silence in the face of sin Job 34:29Isaiah 42:14; 57:11 Psalms 50:3 See also God will not remain silent in the face of sin Isaiah 62:1; 65:6-7Psalms 28:1 See also Prayers that God will not be silent Psalms 35:22; 39:12; 83:1; 109:1Isaiah 64:12 Habakkuk 1:13 1 Samuel 2:9 God silences those who oppose him See also Psalms 8:2; 63:11; 107:42Isaiah 25:5; 47:5 Jeremiah 47:5; 48:2; 51:55 Matthew 22:34 Mark 3:4 Jesus Christ's opponents were silenced by his miracles and wisdom: Luke 20:26Acts 4:14 Romans 3:19 Isaiah 53:7 The silence of Jesus Christ See also It was foretold in the OT Acts 8:32Matthew 26:63 Its fulfilment in the NT Matthew 27:14pp Mk 14:61 before the Sanhedrin pp Mk 15:4-5 Luke 23:9pp Jn 19:9 before Pilate before Herod Mark 1:25-26Jesus Christ commands silence as a sign of his authority Mark 4:39pp Lk 4:35 Jesus Christ silenced evil spirits Jesus Christ silenced the storm. Joshua 6:10There are times when it is appropriate for God's people to be silent See also The silence of expecting God to act Genesis 24:21Exodus 14:14-15 2 Kings 2:3,5 Revelation 8:1 Job 29:7-10,21 The silence anticipating the wisdom of another person Proverbs 10:19Ecclesiastes 3:7 The silence of prudence See also 1 Samuel 10:27Job 13:5; 33:31-33 Proverbs 11:12; 17:28 Lamentations 3:28 See also The silence of suffering Psalms 39:9Ezekiel 16:63 The silence of shame Psalms 4:4The silence of anger See also The psalmist is warning against hasty action when angry. Luke 9:36The silence of amazement at God's actions Acts 15:121 Corinthians 14:28 A tongues-speaker should be silent if no interpreter is present 1 Corinthians 14:30silence in the church 1 Timothy 2:11-12A prophet should be silent if another receives a revelation. See also Christian women are sometimes exorted to be silent 1 Corinthians 14:34-351 Peter 3:1-4 2 Kings 7:9 There are times when it is inappropriate for God's people to be silent Psalms 40:9When there is good news to tell Esther 4:14See also When much depends upon a person's words Jeremiah 4:19; 20:9Acts 18:9-10 Psalms 30:11-12 See also When God should be praised Luke 19:37-40Psalms 32:3 When sin is unconfessed Psalms 39:1-2See also When God's people feel they have a genuine complaint Job 7:11; 23:16-17Isaiah 62:6-7 When prayer is urgently required Job 31:34God's people are sometimes brought to silence Ezekiel 3:26Job fearing the crowd Mark 9:34Ezekiel as a judgment on Israel Luke 1:20the disciples when their pride was exposed Zechariah because of his unbelief Psalms 31:17-18Silencing the wicked 1 Peter 2:23Believers pray that the wicked will be silenced See also Psalms 143:12Titus 2:8 1 Peter 2:15 Believers so live that the wicked may be silenced Titus 1:10-11False teachers must be silenced See also "the circumcision group" believed that in order to be saved it was necessary to be circumcised and keep the Jewish ceremonial law. Death is compared to silence Psalms 94:17; 115:17See also 2585 Christ, trial5148 ear 5169 nakedness 5197 walking 5546 speech 5785 ambition 8329 readiness 8333 reverence 8602 prayer |
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