The Hebrew word dûwmîyâh, represented by H1747, signifies stillness, silence, and a quiet state of trust. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. The term encompasses a range of meanings from being adverbially silent to an abstract sense of quiet waiting upon God.
In its biblical usage, H1747 primarily describes a state of the soul in relation to God. It portrays a silent and expectant waiting, as when the psalmist declares, "Truly my soul waiteth upon God" Psalms 62:1. This concept extends to acts of worship, where praise itself is said to waiteth for God in Sion Psalms 65:1. In contrast, the absence of this stillness is used to express deep distress, as in the cry, "O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent" Psalms 22:2. It can also depict a chosen silence in the midst of suffering, where the speaker was "dumb with silence" and held his peace while his sorrow was stirred Psalms 39:2.
Several related words help illuminate the concept of silence and waiting:
- H481 'âlam (be dumb): This word, meaning to be tongue-tied or put to silence, is used alongside H1747 to emphasize a complete and willed silence in the face of suffering Psalms 39:2.
- H2814 châshâh (to hush or keep quiet): Often paired with H1747, this term reinforces the idea of holding one's peace and actively keeping silent Psalms 39:2.
- H3444 yᵉshûwʻâh (deliverance, salvation): This word is the object of the silent waiting in Psalms 62:1, showing that the stillness of H1747 is not empty but filled with hope for God's salvation.
The theological weight of H1747 is centered on the posture of the human soul before God.
- Expectant Trust: The word often conveys a profound trust. The soul's silent waiting is not one of despair but of confident expectation that deliverance will come from God alone Psalms 62:1.
- Reverent Worship: Silence is presented as a form of worshipful praise. Before God in Zion, praise itself is in a state of quiet anticipation, ready to be expressed once the vow is performed Psalms 65:1.
- Silence in Suffering: The term illustrates a response to deep sorrow. Being "dumb with silence" Psalms 39:2 can reflect an inability to speak or a deliberate choice to refrain from speaking in the midst of pain.
- A Contrast to Lament: The state of being "not silent" Psalms 22:2 serves as a stark contrast, highlighting moments of desperate crying out to God when His presence feels distant.
In summary, H1747 is more than the mere absence of sound. It represents a significant spiritual state, encompassing the quiet trust of a waiting soul, the reverent stillness of worship, and the profound silence of one in sorrow. It demonstrates that in biblical thought, silence before God can be a powerful expression of faith, expectation, and the deepest emotions of the heart.
TRV