### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **shâthaq**, represented by `{{H8367}}`, is a primitive root meaning **to subside, be calm, cease, or be quiet**. It appears **4 times** in **4 unique verses**, often depicting a transition from a state of turmoil to one of peace or stillness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H8367}}` is used both literally and figuratively to describe the end of turmoil. A prominent example is in the book of Jonah, where the sailors ask how to make the tempestuous sea **be calm** [[Jonah 1:11]], and Jonah acknowledges that casting him overboard will cause the sea to **be calm** [[Jonah 1:12]]. This same imagery appears in Psalms, where those caught in a storm are glad because they **be quiet**, and God brings them to their "desired haven" [[Psalms 107:30]]. Figuratively, the term is used in Proverbs to describe the cessation of social conflict: where there is no talebearer, the "strife **ceaseth**" [[Proverbs 26:20]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words expand upon the concept of turmoil and the subsequent calm:
* `{{H5590}}` **çaʻar** (to be tempestuous): This word describes the violent state of the sea that precedes the calm. In Jonah's account, the sea "wrought, and was **tempestuous**" [[Jonah 1:11]], creating a direct contrast with the desired state of being calm `{{H8367}}`.
* `{{H4066}}` **mâdôwn** (strife): This term defines the social or relational chaos that is stilled by the absence of a "talebearer." It is the **strife** that "ceaseth" `{{H8367}}`, extending the concept from a natural storm to human conflict [[Proverbs 26:20]].
* `{{H5148}}` **nâchâh** (to guide, bring): This verb describes God's action following the quietness. After the people are quiet `{{H8367}}`, God **bringeth** them to their desired destination, showing that the calm is often a precursor to divine guidance and deliverance [[Psalms 107:30]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H8367}}` is significant, connecting divine power to the restoration of order.
* **Divine Sovereignty over Chaos:** The use of `{{H8367}}` underscores God's power over both natural and human turmoil. He is the one who ultimately brings a storm to a state of quiet, guiding his people to a "desired haven" [[Psalms 107:30]]. The calming of the sea in Jonah is a direct result of following a divine instruction.
* **The Cessation of Strife:** The application of `{{H8367}}` in Proverbs moves the concept from the natural world to the relational sphere. Peace and quiet in a community are contingent on removing sources of discord, such as a "talebearer" [[Proverbs 26:20]]. This illustrates that spiritual and social calm requires actively addressing the root causes of conflict.
* **Calm as a Precursor to Safety:** In both Jonah and Psalms, the state of being calm `{{H8367}}` is directly linked to deliverance and arrival at a place of safety. The quiet is not merely an absence of noise or motion but a necessary condition for rescue and the fulfillment of a journey.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H8367}}` encapsulates the powerful concept of a transition from chaos to tranquility. Whether describing a raging sea becoming **calm** or social **strife** that **ceaseth**, the word points to a restored state of peace. It illustrates that such quiet is often brought about by divine action and is a necessary step toward deliverance and safety.
TRV