Topical Encyclopedia
The phrase "Be Still" is a significant biblical exhortation that appears in various contexts throughout Scripture, often conveying a call to trust, peace, and divine sovereignty. It is a directive that encourages believers to cease striving and to recognize the presence and power of God in their lives.
Psalm 46:10One of the most well-known occurrences of this phrase is found in
Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." This verse is set within a psalm that speaks of God's protection and strength amidst chaos and turmoil. The command to "be still" is a call to stop fighting and to acknowledge God's supremacy and control over all circumstances. It invites believers to find peace in the assurance that God is sovereign and will be glorified throughout the world.
Exodus 14:14Another significant instance is in
Exodus 14:14: "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." This statement is made by Moses to the Israelites as they faced the daunting challenge of the Red Sea before them and the Egyptian army behind them. Here, "be still" is an instruction to trust in God's deliverance and to refrain from panic or self-reliance. It underscores the belief that God is an active participant in the lives of His people, capable of miraculous intervention.
Mark 4:39In the New Testament, the concept of being still is illustrated in the account of Jesus calming the storm in
Mark 4:39: "Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm." This narrative demonstrates Jesus' authority over nature and His ability to bring peace in the midst of literal and metaphorical storms. It serves as a reminder of Christ's divine power and His role as the Prince of Peace.
Spiritual ImplicationsThe call to "be still" is not merely an invitation to physical stillness but a deeper spiritual posture of surrender and trust. It challenges believers to quiet their hearts and minds, to cease from their own efforts, and to rest in the knowledge of God's presence and provision. This stillness is an act of faith, acknowledging that God is at work even when circumstances seem overwhelming.
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, being still can involve setting aside time for prayer, meditation on Scripture, and reflection on God's attributes and promises. It encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of patience and reliance on God's timing and wisdom. In a world filled with noise and busyness, the discipline of stillness becomes a vital practice for spiritual growth and intimacy with God.
ConclusionThe biblical exhortation to "be still" is a profound reminder of the peace and assurance that comes from trusting in God's sovereignty. It calls believers to a posture of faith, inviting them to experience the tranquility that flows from a deep awareness of God's presence and power in their lives.
Topical Bible Verses
Psalm 37:7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.
Topicalbible.orgPsalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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Mark 4:39
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
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Psalm 83:1-18
Keep not you silence, O God: hold not your peace, and be not still, O God.
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Greek
2089. eti --still, yet...still, yet. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: eti Phonetic Spelling:
(et'-ee) Short Definition:
still, yet, even now Definition: (a) of time:
still,
...2270. hesuchazo -- to bestill, be silent
... to bestill, be silent. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hesuchazo Phonetic
Spelling: (hay-soo-khad'-zo) Short Definition: I rest, am silent, live quietly...
1954. epiloipos --still left
...still left. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: epiloipos Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-il'-oy-pos) Short Definition: remaining, that is left over Definition...
2476. histemi -- to make to stand, to stand
... make to stand, place, set up, establish, appoint; mid: I place myself, stand, (b)
I set in balance, weigh; intrans: (c) I stand, stand by, standstill; met: I...
2272. hesuchios -- tranquil
... peaceful. 2272 (an adjective derived from , "quiet, stillness") -- properly,
quiet (still), ie steady (settled) due to a . 2272...
188. akmen -- at the present point of time
... Word Origin acc. of the same as akmazo Definition at the present point
of time NASB Word Usagestill (1). yet. Accusative case of...
4357. prosmeno -- to wait longer
... remain (2), remained (3). remain, abidestill, continue with. From pros
and meno; to stay further, ie Remain in a place, with a...
1553. ekdemeo -- to be away from home, absent
... 1553 ("being absent") portrays believers who arestill alive as being "away from
home" (heaven), ie becausestill living in a , body (2 Cor 5:6). At Christ's...
3927. parepidemos -- sojourning in a strange place
... 3927 -- a sojourner (foreigner) -- literally, someone "passing through" butstill
with personal relationship with the people in that locale (note the prefix...
3062. loipos -- the rest, the remaining
... moreover (1), now (2), other (1), other matters (1), other people (1), other things
(1), other women (1), others (4), remaining (2), rest (26),still (2), then...
Strong's Hebrew
2814. chashah -- to be silent, inactive, orstill... chashah. 2815 . to be silent, inactive, or
still. Transliteration: chashah Phonetic
Spelling: (khaw-shaw') Short Definition: silent. Word Origin a prim.
...5750. od -- a going around, continuance,still, yet, again, beside
... od or od. 5751 . a going around, continuance,still, yet, again, beside.
Transliteration: od or od Phonetic Spelling: (ode) Short Definition: again....
1826a. damam -- to be or grow dumb, silent orstill
... 1826, 1826a. damam. 1826b . to be or grow dumb, silent orstill.
Transliteration: damam Short Definition: silent. Word Origin a prim....
5728. aden -- hitherto,still
aden or adenah. 5727, 5728. aden or adenah. 5729 . hitherto,still.
Transliteration: aden or adenah Phonetic Spelling: (ad-en') Short Definition:still....
7623. shabach -- to soothe,still
... to soothe,still. Transliteration: shabach Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-bakh') Short
Definition: commend. commend, glory, keep in, praise,still, triumph...
7623a. shabach -- to soothe,still
... to soothe,still. Transliteration: shabach Short Definition: holds.... root Definition
to soothe,still NASB Word Usage holds (1),still (1), stills (1)....
1826. damam -- to be or grow dumb, silent orstill
... 1825, 1826. damam. 1826a . to be or grow dumb, silent orstill. Transliteration:
damam Phonetic Spelling: (daw-man') Short Definition: cease....
5751. od --still
... 5750, 5751. od. 5752 .still. Transliteration: od Phonetic Spelling: (ode)
Short Definition: while. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding...
2013. has -- hush! keep silence!
... NASB Word Usage keep quiet (1), keep silence (1), quieted (1), silence (1), silent
(3),still (1). hold peace tongue, keep silence, be silent,still....
5975. amad -- to take one's stand, stand
... 2), retains (1), rise (2), rose (1), serve (1), served (3), served* (4), service*
(3), serving (1), set (12), sets (3), stand (121), standstill (1), standing...
Library
Jesus,Still Lead On.
... JESUS,STILL LEAD ON. JESUS,STILL LEAD ON. 5,5,8,8,5,5. "Jesu, geh Voran.".... transl.,
Jane Borthwick, 1846, 1854. Jesus,still lead on,. Till our rest be won!...
GodStill Sifting.
... Gideon's Band: Sifted for Service. (1 Corinthians i:18-31; Judges vi and vii.)
GodStill Sifting.... God isstill sifting men for service....
Still Another Triplet
... ROMANSSTILL ANOTHER TRIPLET. 'Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your
mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly....
Still Another Triplet
... ROMANSSTILL ANOTHER TRIPLET. 'Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to
hospitality.14. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.15....
Still Another Triplet
... ROMANSSTILL ANOTHER TRIPLET. 'Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought
for things honourable in the light of all men.18. If...
Still Another Triplet
... ROMANSSTILL ANOTHER TRIPLET. 'Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but
rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance...
"Peace! beStill!"
... CHRIST; HIS CHARACTER AND OFFICES. 220. " "Peace! bestill!". 220. CM
Mrs. Hemans. "Peace! bestill!". 1 Fear, was within the...
Still the Same. November 7.
...Still the same. November 7. Those who die in the fear of God and in the
faith of Christ do not really taste death; to them there...
Strength of theStill Secluded Thought,
... Strength of thestill secluded thought,. LM... O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto
Thee for ever." " Psalm 30:11,12. Strength of thestill secluded thought,....
"Peace, beStill"
... The DESIRE of AGES Chapter 35 "Peace, BeStill".... All day He had been teaching and
healing; and as evening came on the crowdsstill pressed upon Him....
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