SILENCE. This Word does not only signify the ordinary Silence, or refraining from Speaking; but also, in the Stile of the Hebrews, it is taken for to be quiet, to remain Exod. xv. 16. ירמו כאבןimmoveable. As for Example; As still as a Stone. The Vulgate has it, Fiant Lam. ii. 18. Josh. x. 12, 13.immobiles quasi lapis. Give thy self no Rest; Let not the Apple of thine Eyes cease, i. e. to shed Tears. Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon: Heb. be silent. And the Sun stood still, and the Moon stayed, or were silent, at the Commandment of Joshua.
Isai. xv. 1. ער נרמה Jer. viii. 14.2dly, Silence is taken for an entire Ruin and Destruction, for a total Subjection. Ar of Moab is laid Waste, and brought to Silence, or, is utterly destroy’d. The Lord our God hath put us to Silence, or, has brought great Calamities upon us.
Psal. xciv. 17.3dly, Silence is taken for Death and the Grave: Unless the Lord had been my Help, my Soul had almost dwelt in Silence.