Dictionary entry

Silence

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

si'-lens: Five Hebrew roots, with various derivatives, and two Greek words are thus translated. The word is used literally for dumbness, interrupted speech, as inLa 2:10;Ps 32:3;Ec 3:7;Am 5:13;Ac 15:12;1Co 14:28;1Ti 2:11,12the King James Version (the American Standard Revised Version "quietness");Re 8:1, or figuratively of the unanswered prayers of the believer (Ps 83:1;35:22;Jer 8:14); of awe in the presence of the Divine Majesty (Isa 41:1;Zec 2:13), or of death (1Sa 2:9;Ps 94:17;115:17).