Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "speechless" often refers to a state of being unable to speak due to awe, fear, divine intervention, or judgment. This condition is depicted in various narratives throughout the Scriptures, illustrating moments of profound spiritual significance or divine encounter.
Old Testament InstancesOne of the earliest instances of being rendered speechless is found in the account of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. In
Luke 1:20, Zechariah is struck mute by the angel Gabriel as a sign of his disbelief in the angel's message regarding the birth of his son: "And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time." This divine silencing serves as both a sign and a period of reflection for Zechariah, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience to God's word.
New Testament ExamplesIn the New Testament, the concept of being speechless is also illustrated in the parable of the wedding banquet. In
Matthew 22:12, the king confronts a guest who is not wearing wedding clothes: "Friend, he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' But the man was speechless." This parable highlights the theme of judgment and the necessity of being spiritually prepared for the kingdom of heaven. The guest's speechlessness signifies his lack of excuse or defense in the face of divine scrutiny.
Prophetic and Apocalyptic ContextsThe prophets often experienced moments of being speechless as they encountered the overwhelming presence of God. In
Ezekiel 3:26, God tells the prophet, "I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious house." Here, the speechlessness of Ezekiel serves as a symbolic act, representing the people's hardened hearts and the impending judgment due to their rebellion.
Spiritual and Moral ImplicationsThe state of being speechless in the Bible often carries deep spiritual and moral implications. It can signify a moment of divine revelation, where human words fall short in the presence of God's majesty and holiness. It can also indicate judgment, where individuals are left without excuse before God. In both cases, the inability to speak underscores the power and authority of God, reminding believers of the importance of humility, reverence, and readiness to respond to God's call.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the biblical theme of being speechless serves as a reminder to approach God with a heart of faith and readiness. It encourages self-examination and spiritual preparedness, urging Christians to live in a manner worthy of their calling. The moments of silence before God can be opportunities for reflection, repentance, and renewal, aligning one's life with the divine will and purpose.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Destitute or deprived of the faculty of speech.
2. (a.) Not speaking for a time; dumb; mute; silent.
Greek
1769. enneos --speechless.... 1768, 1769. enneos. 1770 .
speechless. Part of Speech
... as with amazement).
Word Origin variant reading for eneos, qv.
speechless.
...880. aphonos -- without voice, iespeechless
... without voice, iespeechless. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: aphonos
Phonetic Spelling: (af'-o-nos) Short Definition: soundless, voiceless...
216. alalos -- mute,speechless
... mute,speechless. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: alalos Phonetic Spelling:
(al'-al-os) Short Definition: unable to speak Definition: unable to speak...
1753a. eneos -- mute,speechless
... eneos. 1753b . mute,speechless. Transliteration: eneos Short Definition:speechless....
word Definition mute,speechless NASB Word Usagespeechless (1)....
1753. energeia -- mute,speechless
... mute,speechless. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: energeia Phonetic
Spelling: (en-erg'-i-ah) Short Definition: working, activity Definition...
2974. kophos -- blunt, dull
... deaf, dumb,speechless. From kopto; blunted, ie (figuratively) of hearing (deaf)
or speech (dumb) -- deaf, dumb,speechless. see GREEK kopto....
5392. phimoo -- to muzzle, to put to silence
... Origin from phimos (a muzzle) Definition to muzzle, to put to silence NASB Word
Usage muzzle (1), quiet (2), silence (1), silenced (1),speechless (1), still (1...
Strong's Hebrew
2790b. charash -- to be silent, dumb,speechless, or deaf... 2790a, 2790b. charash. 2791 . to be silent, dumb,
speechless, or deaf.
Transliteration: charash Short Definition: silent. Word Origin a prim.
...483. illem -- mute (unable to speak)
... Word Origin from the same as alam Definition mute (unable to speak) NASB
Word Usage mute (4), mute man (1),speechless (1). dumb man....
481. alam -- to bind
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition to bind NASB Word Usage became
speechless (1), become mute (1), binding (1), mute (4), silent (1),speechless (...
Library
On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 2, Etc. , About the...
... wedding garment? And he wasspeechless." [2999] For He who questioned him
was One, to whom he could give no feigned reply. The garment...
Ode ix.
... O Spare me, LORD! O take me to Thy grace! David of old beheld, inspeechless
terror,.... Raised up to GOD's Right Hand, andspeechless bliss!...
Influence of the Moon and Stars on Men.
... But you will inquire whether there are such disorders in spirits as well as in men;
so that some of them speak, but some of them arespeechless, and some of...
In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the...
... And he wasspeechless. [We are of the opinion that the king furnished upper garments
to his guests. But the antiquity of this custom is disputed....
Of the Cross, and Other Tortures of Jesus, and of the Figure of...
... truth. For he who is ignorant of the divine nature, he truly isspeechless
and dumb, although he is the most eloquent of all men....
Dionysius' Account of Serapion.
... But he became sick, and for three successive days continuedspeechless and senseless....
And when he had said this, he became againspeechless....
Qui Laborat Orat
... My will adoreth Thine. With eye down-dropt, if then this earthly mind.Speechless
remain, orspeechless e'en depart; Nor seek to see"for what of earthly kind....
The Earthquake.
... Excess of terror at first rendered those on the outsidespeechless, but
after a time they burst forth into cries and lamentations....
On the Return of Flavian the Bishop, and the Reconciliation of the...
... And as soon as he came to that great city, and had entered the royal palace, he
stood before the Emperor at a distance,"speechless,"weeping,"with...
The Wedding Garment
... And he wasspeechless.... The king has now become a judge to him; the question has been
personally put to him, and he isspeechless. Why is he silent?...
Thesaurus
Speechless (8 Occurrences)...Speechless (8 Occurrences). Matthew 22:12 and he said to him,'Friend, how did you
come in here not wearing wedding clothing?' He was
speechless.
...Speeches (12 Occurrences)
Speed (22 Occurrences)
Stood (491 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:13 "The man stoodspeechless.... Acts 9:7 The men who traveled with
him stoodspeechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one....
Outside (215 Occurrences)
... to speak to you." (WEB WEY BBE NAS RSV). Matthew 22:13 "The man stood
speechless. Then the king said to the servants, "'Bind him...
Journeying (36 Occurrences)
... DBY). Acts 9:7 And the men who are journeying with him stoodspeechless,
hearing indeed the voice but seeing no one, (YLT). Acts 10...
Journeyed (111 Occurrences)
... WBS RSV). Acts 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stoodspeechless,
hearing a voice, but seeing no man. (KJV ASV WBS). Acts...
Garment (143 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having
a wedding garment? And he wasspeechless. (KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV)....
Wedding (24 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:12 and he said to him,'Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding
clothing?' He wasspeechless. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Wearing (43 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Matthew 22:12 and he said to him,'Friend, how did you come in here
not wearing wedding clothing?' He wasspeechless. (WEB)....
Resources
Why does Acts 9:7 say that those traveling with Paul heard a voice, but Acts 22:9 says that they heard no voice? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened on the road to Damascus? What is a road to Damascus experience? | GotQuestions.orgSpeechless: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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