a primitive root; to hush or keep quiet; hold peace, keep silence, be silent, (be) still.
Transliteration:châshâh
Pronunciation:khaw-shaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root חָשָׁה (châshâh, `{{H2814}}`) is a primitive verb primarily conveying the sense of "to be silent," "to keep quiet," or "to be still." Its semantic range encompasses both the cessation of sound and the cessation of activity or movement. It can denote:
* **Active silence:** To hush, to cause to be silent, to hold one's peace intentionally. This implies a deliberate choice to refrain from speaking or acting.
* **Passive silence:** To be silent, to be still, to remain quiet. This can describe a state of being, whether voluntary or involuntary.
* **Inactivity or non-intervention:** Often used in contexts where God or humans refrain from speaking or acting, implying a period of waiting, restraint, or even perceived indifference.
* **Awe or reverence:** Silence can be a response to the divine presence or judgment, signifying profound respect or fear.
* **Distress or despair:** In some contexts, silence can indicate a state of speechless grief, helplessness, or overwhelming sorrow.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root חָשָׁה appears numerous times in the Hebrew Bible, revealing its rich contextual nuances. A significant number of occurrences relate to God's perceived or actual silence:
* In laments, the psalmist often pleads with God not to remain silent, equating divine silence with inaction or abandonment. For instance, [[Psalm 28:1]] cries, "To You, O LORD, I call; my Rock, do not be deaf to me, lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit." Similarly, [[Psalm 35:22]] implores, "You have seen, O LORD; do not keep silence; O Lord, do not be far from me." Here, חָשָׁה signifies God's non-response or non-intervention, which is a source of profound distress for the supplicant.
* Conversely, God's silence can be a deliberate act of restraint or patience, preceding a decisive intervention. [[Isaiah 42:14]] powerfully illustrates this: "For a long time I have held My peace; I have been still and restrained Myself. Now I will cry like a woman in labor, I will pant and gasp together." This verse portrays God's חָשָׁה as a period of biding time before a powerful, transformative act of redemption.
* In other prophetic contexts, God declares that He *will not* be silent until His purposes are fulfilled. [[Isaiah 62:1]] states, "For Zion's sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns." This emphasizes God's unwavering commitment and active pursuit of His covenant promises.
* Human use of חָשָׁה often denotes a deliberate choice to refrain from speech or action. [[Psalm 39:2]] describes a person's self-imposed silence: "I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; and my sorrow was stirred." This can be a form of self-control or a response to overwhelming emotion. In [[Nehemiah 8:11]], the Levites command the people, "So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, 'Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.'" Here, חָשָׁה is an imperative to maintain order and reverence.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of silence and stillness in the Hebrew Bible is often conveyed by several roots, each with subtle distinctions. חָשָׁה (châshâh, `{{H2814}}`) shares semantic overlap with:
* דָּמַם (dâmam, `{{H1826}}`): "to be silent," "to be still," "to cease." While often synonymous with חָשָׁה, דָּמַם can more strongly imply a cessation of noise, movement, or even life (e.g., [[1 Samuel 14:9]], [[Psalm 4:4]]). חָשָׁה often carries a stronger connotation of intentional restraint or a period of waiting.
* שָׁקַט (shâqat, `{{H8252}}`): "to be quiet," "to be at peace," often referring to a state of rest or tranquility after turmoil (e.g., [[Judges 3:11]]).
* הָרַס (hâras, `{{H2040}}`): "to be deaf" or "to be dumb," implying an inability to speak or hear, which can result in silence (e.g., [[Psalm 38:13]]).
Conceptually, חָשָׁה is frequently linked to:
* **Patience and waiting:** Especially in the context of waiting for God's intervention.
* **Divine sovereignty:** God's decision to be silent or to act, revealing His timing and wisdom.
* **Trust:** Human silence before God can be an act of profound trust in His ultimate plan, even when His ways are not immediately clear.
* **Lament and petition:** The absence of God's voice or action is a recurring theme in the psalms of lament, highlighting the human struggle with divine hiddenness.
* **Restraint and discipline:** Both divine and human, indicating a controlled withholding of speech or action.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חָשָׁה is profound, particularly in its application to the nature of God and the human experience of faith.
* **The Silence of God:** This is a recurring theological challenge in the Old Testament. When God is חָשָׁה, it can be perceived by His people as a sign of indifference, abandonment, or even judgment. This perceived silence often drives the desperate prayers and laments of the faithful, who long for divine intervention and reassurance. However, חָשָׁה on God's part is also revealed as a strategic, purposeful act. It can signify a period of divine patience, a prelude to a greater demonstration of power and justice, or a test of human faith, calling for deeper trust in His unseen work. The tension between God's apparent silence and His covenant promises is a crucible for faith.
* **The Silence of Humanity:** For humans, חָשָׁה can be an act of reverence and awe before the transcendent God, acknowledging His majesty and sovereignty (cf. [[Habakkuk 2:20]], though using דָּמַם). It can be a posture of humble submission, waiting patiently for the Lord's timing and guidance. In wisdom literature, knowing when to be חָשָׁה is a mark of prudence and self-control, avoiding foolish speech or rash action. Yet, human silence can also be a sign of overwhelming grief, despair, or even a hardened heart that refuses to respond to God's word. The call to חָשָׁה before God is often an invitation to listen, to trust, and to allow Him to work without human interference.
### Summary
The Hebrew root חָשָׁה (châshâh, `{{H2814}}`) denotes "to be silent," "to be still," or "to hold one's peace." Its rich semantic range extends from the cessation of speech and movement to a deliberate act of restraint or a state of quiet waiting. The word is critically important in understanding the biblical portrayal of both divine and human interaction. When applied to God, חָשָׁה can represent a period of perceived abandonment, a strategic divine pause before intervention, or an unwavering commitment to His purposes. For humanity, חָשָׁה signifies reverence, trust, patient waiting, or even profound despair. The dynamic interplay of divine and human silence, as expressed through חָשָׁה, highlights core theological themes of divine sovereignty, human faith, and the mystery of God's timing and presence in the world.
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