Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of living or acting "quietly" is often associated with peace, humility, and a life that is pleasing to God. The term "quietly" can refer to both an external demeanor and an internal state of being, reflecting a life that is marked by tranquility and a lack of unnecessary disturbance or conflict.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Old Testament frequently emphasizes the value of a quiet spirit. In
Ecclesiastes 4:6, we read, "Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." This verse highlights the wisdom of contentment and the peace that comes from a quiet life, as opposed to the endless pursuit of material gain and the chaos it can bring.
In
Isaiah 32:17, the prophet speaks of the peace that comes from righteousness: "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever." Here, quietness is portrayed as a result of living a righteous life, suggesting that a quiet demeanor is a reflection of one's relationship with God.
New Testament ReferencesThe New Testament continues this theme, encouraging believers to lead quiet lives as a testimony to their faith. In
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Paul exhorts the Thessalonians: "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to attend to your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we instructed you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need." This passage underscores the importance of a quiet life as a witness to others and as a means of living responsibly and independently.
Similarly, in
1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul urges prayers for all people, including those in authority, "that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity." Here, a quiet life is associated with godliness and dignity, suggesting that such a life is honorable and reflective of Christian values.
Quietness as a VirtueQuietness is often linked with other virtues such as humility and gentleness. In
1 Peter 3:4, Peter advises women to adorn themselves with "the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight." This verse highlights the value God places on a quiet spirit, indicating that it is an inner quality that reflects one's character and relationship with Him.
Practical ImplicationsLiving quietly does not imply passivity or disengagement from the world. Rather, it suggests a life that is free from unnecessary strife and focused on what truly matters. It involves a conscious effort to avoid gossip, conflict, and the pursuit of vain ambitions, choosing instead to cultivate peace, contentment, and a deep trust in God.
In summary, the biblical concept of living quietly is deeply intertwined with a life of faith, righteousness, and humility. It is a call to live in a manner that reflects the peace of God, serving as a witness to others and bringing glory to Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) In a quiet state or manner; without motion; in a state of rest; as, to lie or sit quietly.
2. (adv.) Without tumult, alarm, dispute, or disturbance; peaceably; as, to live quietly; to sleep quietly.
3. (adv.) Calmly, without agitation or violent emotion; patiently; as, to submit quietly to unavoidable evils.
4. (adv.) Noiselessly; silently; without remark or violent movement; in a manner to attract little or no observation; as, he quietly left the room.
Greek
2270. hesuchazo -- to be still, be silent... be silent. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hesuchazo Phonetic Spelling:
(hay-soo-khad'-zo) Short Definition: I rest, am silent, live
quietly Definition:
...5279. hupomimnesko -- to cause (one) to remember, to remind
... From hupo and mimnesko; to remindquietly, ie Suggest to the (middle voice, one's
own) memory -- put in mind, remember, bring to (put in) remembrance....
5587. psithurismos -- a whispering
... 5587 (from , "whisper") -- properly, a to "quietly" spread ; "" that launches
"secret attacks on a person's character" (Souter)....
2271. hesuchia -- stillness
... See 2272 (). Word Origin from hesuchios Definition stillness NASB Word Usage
quiet (2), quiet fashion (1),quietly (1). quietness, silence....
5588. psithuristes -- a whisperer
... Cognate: 5588 -- properly, a whisperer; a sneaky gossip (a "back-stabber"); a backbiter,
quietly (secretly) destroying another person's character -- ie covertly...
1593. ekneuo -- to bend the head away, to withdraw
... to turn aside, withdraw. From ek and neuo; (by analogy) to slip off, ieQuietly
withdraw -- convey self away. see GREEK ek. see GREEK neuo....
5221. hupantao -- to go to meet, to meet
... meet. From hupo and a derivative of anti; to go opposite (meet) under (quietly),
ie To encounter, fall in with -- (go to) meet. see GREEK hupo. see GREEK anti....
5225. huparcho -- to begin, to be ready or at hand, to be
... exist. From hupo and archomai; to begin under (quietly), ie Come into existence
(be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an...
5298. hupochoreo -- to go back, retire
... to withdraw, go away. From hupo and choreo; to vacate down, ie Retirequietly --
go aside, withdraw self. see GREEK hupo. see GREEK choreo....
Strong's Hebrew
1748. dumam -- a silence, in silence, silently... dumb, silent,
quietly wait. From damam; still; adverbially, silently -- dumb, silent,
quietly wait. see HEBREW damam. 1747, 1748. dumam. 1749 .
...7987. sheli -- quietness
... Word Origin from shalah Definition quietness NASB Word Usage privately (1).quietly.
From shalah; privacy -- +quietly. see HEBREW shalah. 7986, 7987....
5535. sakath -- to be silent
... take heed. A primitive root to be silent; by implication, to observequietly --
take heed. 5534b, 5535. sakath. 5536 . Strong's Numbers.
8252. shaqat -- to be quiet or undisturbed
... 1), calms (1), careless (1), grant him relief (1), had rest (3), keep quiet (1),
keeps quiet (1), pacified (1), peace (1), quiet (12),quietly (1), quietness (2...
7766. Shunem -- a city in Issachar
... Shunem. Probably from the same as Shuwniy;quietly; Shunem, a place in Pal -- Shunem.
see HEBREW Shuwniy. 7765, 7766. Shunem. 7767 . Strong's Numbers.
5117. nuach -- to rest
... 1), rests (2), rid themselves (2), satisfy (1), set (4), set down (3), settle (2),
settled (1), space* (1), spent (1), stationed (2), waitquietly (1), waited...
Library
Julian, on his Settlement in the Empire, BeganQuietly to Stir up...
... Book V. Chapter III."Julian, on his Settlement in the Empire, beganquietly to stir
up Opposition to Christianity, and to introduce Paganism artfully....
Teaching Three Things in one Action.
... Now He acts.[106]Quietly He rises from the table, picks up a towel and fastens
its end in His waistband for convenience in use, after the servant's usual...
Packing Most in Least.
... And John goesquietly on with his great simple story: "and the light shineth
in the darkness," John has a way of packing much in little....
When God Withdraws Himself
... A mother satquietly in her easy chair.... Presently the motherquietly slipped from
her chair and went into an adjoining room, out of the baby's sight....
He Touched Her Hand.
... Yet most times it is possible, by planning. Now she slipped to her room and, sitting
downquietly, turned to the chapter in her regular place of reading....
Yielding to Arrest.
... traitor. He knew they were coming, andquietly goes to meet them.... night.
Jesusquietly adds, "Friend, do what you have planned....
A Steamer Chair for his Friend.
... his habit. He would come to a clerk's desk unexpectedly and, sitting down
quietly, note the transactions that came along. Here was...
Wider Wooing.
... yielding.Quietly He walks out from the cover of the trees to meet them....
will. And Peter's foolish attempts arequietly overruled....
At Court
... Then, having done the work for which he had come, Vincent slippedquietly out
of the palace to hasten back to St. Lazare and his beloved poor....
Jesus Unrecognised.
... now this Stranger calls out to them a cheery common question, "Caught anything?"
And now He gives a"no, it can hardly be called a command, soquietly is it...
Thesaurus
Quietly (30 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) In a quiet state or manner; without
motion; in a state of rest; as, to lie or sit
quietly. 2
...Pleasing (185 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Peter 2:20 What credit is it if, when you have done evil, you take
your punishmentquietly? but if you are given punishment...
Quietness (15 Occurrences)
Quiver (9 Occurrences)
... Rottenness enters into my bones, and I tremble in my place, because I must wait
quietly for the day of trouble, for the coming up of the people who invade us....
Quivered (1 Occurrence)
... Rottenness enters into my bones, and I tremble in my place, because I must wait
quietly for the day of trouble, for the coming up of the people who invade us....
Quieting (4 Occurrences)
Kingship (17 Occurrences)
... 11:21 And stood up on his station hath a despicable one, and they have not given
unto him the honour of the kingdom, and he hath come inquietly, and hath...
Noted (10 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Ecclesiastes 9:17 The words of the wise which comequietly to the ear are
noted more than the cry of a ruler among the foolish. (BBE)....
Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences)
... to Babylon by the death of his father. There he seemsquietly to have
ascended the throne. In the 4th year of Jehoiakim (or 3rd...
Resources
Can a Christian worship God using music from a church with unbiblical teachings? | GotQuestions.orgWhen were Joseph and Mary considered married? | GotQuestions.orgWho was James the son of Alphaeus? | GotQuestions.orgQuietly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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