Zechariah 2:13

KJV

Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

KJV (with Strong's)

Be silent {H2013}, O all flesh {H1320}, before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}: for he is raised up {H5782} out of his holy {H6944} habitation {H4583}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Be silent, all humanity, before ADONAI; for he has been roused from his holy dwelling.'"

Berean Standard Bible

Be silent before the LORD, all people, for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.”

American Standard Version

Be silent, all flesh, before Jehovah; for he is waked up out of his holy habitation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 2:13 serves as a climactic command, calling all humanity to profound reverence and silence before the LORD. This solemn hush is demanded because God is actively stirring from His celestial dwelling, poised to execute His divine will, whether in judgment, salvation, or a grand display of His sovereign power, thereby asserting His absolute authority over all creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 2:13 concludes a significant prophetic vision that began in [Zechariah 2:1](/zechariah/2-1 "Zechariah 2:1 - The Man with the Measuring Line") with the vision of a man with a measuring line, symbolizing God's intention to rebuild and protect Jerusalem. The preceding verses, particularly [Zechariah 2:10-12](/zechariah/2-10-12 "Zechariah 2:10-12 - God Dwells in Jerusalem"), contain a joyous proclamation of God's return to dwell in Zion, promising that many nations will join themselves to the LORD and become His people. This influx of Gentiles and the restoration of Judah as God's inheritance culminate in the declaration of God's imminent action, making [Zechariah 2:13](/zechariah/2-13 "Zechariah 2:13 - Be Silent Before the Lord") a fitting and powerful conclusion, preparing all creation for the awesome manifestation of God's presence and impending intervention. It transitions from promises of restoration to a command for reverent submission.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zechariah ministered to the Jewish exiles who had returned from Babylon to a desolate Jerusalem, facing the daunting task of rebuilding the Temple and the city. The post-exilic period was marked by discouragement, opposition, and a struggle to rekindle faith and hope. Culturally, the concept of God's dwelling place (Temple, heaven) was central to Israelite theology, signifying His presence and authority. The command for silence before a deity was a common ancient Near Eastern motif, indicating profound reverence, submission, or dread in the face of divine power. This verse would have resonated deeply with a people who had experienced God's judgment (exile) and were now witnessing His promises of restoration, emphasizing that their future depended entirely on His sovereign activity, not their own limited strength.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes found throughout the book of Zechariah and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Majesty**, asserting God's supreme authority over all creation, demanding absolute reverence from humanity. The call to "be silent" signifies a profound **Awe and Reverence** due to God's holiness and overwhelming power, a theme echoed in [Habakkuk 2:20](/habakkuk/2-20 "Habakkuk 2:20 - The Lord in His Holy Temple"). Furthermore, the phrase "for he is raised up out of his holy habitation" points to **Imminent Divine Action**, signaling that God is actively moving to intervene in earthly affairs, whether for judgment, salvation, or a grand display of His glory, similar to the Lord's coming forth in [Isaiah 26:21](/isaiah/26-21 "Isaiah 26:21 - The Lord Comes Forth to Punish"). Finally, "all flesh" highlights the **Universal Recognition** of God's impending actions and their consequences, demanding a response from every living being.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Be silent (Hebrew, _hâçâh'_):** H2013, a primitive root meaning "to hush," "hold peace," "keep silence," or "be still." It is an imperative command, demanding a cessation of all noise and activity, a profound and reverent stillness in the presence of something sacred or momentous. It implies not just an absence of sound, but an internal posture of awe and submission.
* **flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_):1320, referring to "flesh" (from its freshness), by extension, "body," "person," or "all humanity." When used with "all" (kol), "all flesh" (kol-basar) is a comprehensive idiom encompassing all living creatures or, more specifically, all human beings. It emphasizes the universal scope of God's command and the pervasive impact of His impending action.
* **raised up (Hebrew, _ʻûwr'_):** H5782, a primitive root meaning "to wake" (literally or figuratively), "awaken," "rouse," or "stir up." It conveys the idea of God actively moving from a state of apparent inactivity or rest to intervene decisively in earthly affairs. This is not a human awakening, but a divine initiative, signifying a moment of powerful, purposeful action from God's transcendent realm.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD":** This is a direct, emphatic command, an imperative call for universal reverence. "All flesh" signifies every living being, particularly humanity, emphasizing the comprehensive scope of this divine decree. The command to "be silent" (hâçâh) is not merely about ceasing noise, but about adopting a posture of profound awe, humility, and submission in the presence of the sovereign God. It acknowledges His absolute authority and the unworthiness of creation to speak or act in His presence. The phrase "before the LORD" (pânîym Yᵉhôvâh) underscores that this silence is specifically directed toward the covenant God of Israel, YHWH, whose very presence demands such a response.
* **"for he is raised up out of his holy habitation":** This clause provides the crucial reason for the universal silence. The conjunction "for" (kî) introduces the divine justification. "He is raised up" (ni'or) signifies God's active, decisive movement. This is not a passive awakening but a powerful, intentional stirring to action, indicating that God is about to intervene in a significant way. His "holy habitation" (mâʻôwn qôdesh) refers to His sacred dwelling place, typically understood as heaven or His transcendent sanctuary. The implication is that God is moving from His heavenly throne to execute His will on earth, a momentous event that demands the absolute silence and attention of all creation.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 2:13 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Imperative Mood**, seen in the direct command "Be silent," which immediately establishes the authority and urgency of the divine speaker. This is further amplified by **Hyperbole** in "O all flesh," encompassing every living being to underscore the universal scope of God's dominion and the pervasive impact of His impending action. The phrase "raised up out of his holy habitation" functions as **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like action (waking, rising) to God to make His transcendent movement comprehensible, yet it simultaneously conveys the profound mystery and power of His divine initiative. Finally, the verse creates a strong sense of **Anticipation** and **Awe**, building tension by demanding silence in preparation for a momentous, undisclosed divine intervention, thereby emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty and the reverence due to Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 2:13 profoundly underscores the absolute sovereignty and transcendent holiness of God, demanding a posture of reverent silence from all creation in the face of His imminent, decisive action. This silence is not born of fear alone, but of a deep recognition of God's unparalleled majesty and His active engagement with the world. It reminds us that God is not a distant, passive deity, but one who "raises up" from His heavenly throne to execute His purposes, whether in judgment, salvation, or the fulfillment of His covenant promises. This divine movement signifies a moment of profound revelation and intervention, requiring humanity to cease its own clamor and humbly acknowledge His supreme authority.

* [Habakkuk 2:20](/habakkuk/2-20 "Habakkuk 2:20 - God in His Holy Temple")
* [Psalm 46:10](/psalms/46-10 "Psalm 46:10 - Be Still and Know That I Am God")
* [Isaiah 26:21](/isaiah/26-21 "Isaiah 26:21 - The Lord Comes Out of His Place")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 2:13 calls believers to cultivate a deep and abiding sense of reverence, awe, and expectant waiting before the LORD. In a world characterized by constant noise, distraction, and human striving, the command to "be silent" serves as a profound spiritual discipline. It challenges us to quiet our own thoughts, desires, and anxieties, allowing God's voice and presence to fill the space. This silence is not an empty void, but a sacred posture of humility, submission, and readiness to perceive God's active work in our lives and in the world. It reminds us that our primary response to God's sovereignty should be one of worshipful awe, trusting that He is indeed "raised up" and actively working His perfect will, even when His methods or timing are beyond our comprehension. This verse encourages us to step back from our efforts, anxieties, and even our prayers at times, simply to "be still and know that He is God," allowing His majesty to settle our souls and prepare us for His divine intervention.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for "all flesh" to be silent before the LORD in our modern, noisy world?**
* **How does recognizing God as "raised up out of his holy habitation" impact your understanding of His active involvement in your life and in global events?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to cultivate more "silence" or stillness to better perceive God's presence and action?**

### FAQ

**What does "Be silent, O all flesh" truly mean?**

Answer: "Be silent, O all flesh" (Hebrew: *hâçâh kol-bâsâr*) is a profound command for universal reverence and submission. It's not merely about ceasing noise, but about adopting a posture of awe, humility, and expectant waiting before the sovereign God. It signifies that all of humanity, indeed all creation, should cease its own activity, boasting, or opposition, and stand in reverent stillness, recognizing the absolute authority and holiness of the LORD. This command prepares the way for God's imminent and decisive action, acknowledging that no earthly power or human will can stand against Him. Similar calls for silence are found in [Habakkuk 2:20](/habakkuk/2-20 "Habakkuk 2:20 - The Lord in His Holy Temple") and [Psalm 46:10](/psalms/46-10 "Psalm 46:10 - Be Still and Know That I Am God"), emphasizing God's supreme power.

**Why is God described as "raised up out of his holy habitation"?**

Answer: The phrase "raised up out of his holy habitation" (Hebrew: *ni'or mi-me'on qodsho*) signifies God's active, decisive, and imminent intervention in the affairs of the world. His "holy habitation" refers to His transcendent dwelling place, typically heaven or His sacred sanctuary. The imagery of being "raised up" or "awakened" (though God does not literally sleep) is an anthropomorphism conveying that God is moving from His place of rest or apparent inactivity to execute His divine will. This implies a moment of profound divine initiative, whether for judgment against His enemies, salvation for His people, or a grand display of His glory and power. It signals that a significant, world-altering event is about to unfold, originating from the very throne of God. This divine movement is a cause for both awe and, for the wicked, dread, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 26:21](/isaiah/26-21 "Isaiah 26:21 - The Lord Comes Out of His Place").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 2:13, with its solemn command for "all flesh" to be silent before the LORD who is "raised up out of his holy habitation," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Zechariah anticipates a powerful divine intervention, the New Testament reveals this intervention supremely in the incarnation of God's Son. The One who was "raised up" from His heavenly dwelling is none other than Jesus, who, as the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), literally tabernacled among us, bringing God's holy presence into the world. His life, death, and resurrection represent the ultimate divine action, where God decisively intervened to bring salvation and establish His kingdom. The command for "all flesh" to be silent before the LORD is perfectly realized in the universal submission that will one day be rendered to Christ, for [every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow"), acknowledging His supreme authority as the one who was raised from the dead and ascended to His holy habitation. His future return, when He will come [from heaven with a shout](/1_thessalonians/4-16 "1 Thessalonians 4:16 - The Lord Descends from Heaven"), will be the final and absolute demonstration of God "raised up," demanding the ultimate silence and worship of all creation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Habakkuk 2:20

But the LORD [is] in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

Psalms 68:5

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, [is] God in his holy habitation.

Zephaniah 1:7

¶ Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD [is] at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

Psalms 78:65

Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, [and] like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

Zephaniah 3:8

¶ Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination [is] to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, [even] all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

Psalms 46:10

Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Isaiah 51:9

¶ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?