הַס

From the study of Habakkuk 2:20

Range of meaning

An interjection, a word that works like a sound: 'Hush!', 'Silence!', 'Shh!'. Related to a rare verb meaning 'to be or make silent' (BDB, HALOT). It is used (1) to quiet a court or audience, as when King Eglon orders 'Silence!' and his attendants leave (Judg 3:19); (2) to quiet people before a holy moment, as when the Levites calm the weeping crowd: 'Be still, for the day is holy' (Neh 8:11); (3) for the frightened hush after judgment, as when survivors whisper 'Hush! We must not mention the name of YHWH' (Amos 6:10) and the corpses are thrown out with 'Hush!' (Amos 8:3); and (4) in the prophets, as a call to fall silent before YHWH when he is about to act (Zeph 1:7; Zech 2:13 [Hebrew 2:17]).

Against the English

Most English versions say 'let all the earth be silent' or 'keep silence'. The word 'let' turns a sharp command into something like a wish or a permission. YLT's 'Be silent before Him, all the earth!' is closer to the snap of the Hebrew. In English, 'silence' tends to suggest calm, meditative quiet; the Hebrew word is closer to the sudden hush when a ruler or judge rises.

How it drifted

Because the verse has long been used to open church services (as an opening sentence and as a sung introit), many readers link it with quiet before a service starts. That use is not wrong, since reverent silence before God's presence is part of the meaning. But it narrows a command spoken to the whole world into a call for quiet in one building.

Used elsewhere in the period

The close parallels show how it was heard. Zeph 1:7: 'Hush before the Lord YHWH, for the day of YHWH is near', leading into a sacrifice that is really a slaughter. Zech 2:13 (Hebrew 2:17): 'Hush, all flesh, before YHWH, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.' In both, the hush comes just before God acts in judgment and rescue. The Greek Septuagint (LXX) renders Hab 2:20 with eulabeisthō, 'let it be in reverent awe', reading the silence as awe. The Latin Vulgate has sileat, 'let it be silent'.

From the study of Amos 8:3

Range of meaning

An exclamation that imitates the sound: 'Hush!' or 'Sh!' It is used for dismissing people (Judg 3:19), for calming a crowd (Num 13:30; Neh 8:11), for awed silence before God ('Hush before the Lord YHWH,' Zeph 1:7; Hab 2:20; Zech 2:13), and in Amos 6:10 for fearful silence around the dead.

Against the English

KJV/WEB 'with silence' and BSB 'strewn in silence' make it describe how the bodies are thrown: quietly. NIV, ESV and NRSV print it as a separate cry: 'Silence!' / 'Be silent!' The Hebrew is a standalone exclamation.

How it drifted

Older translations folded the interjection into the clause before it, which turned a sharp command into a description of how the bodies are handled.

Used elsewhere in the period

Amos 6:9–10 is the closest parallel. Ten men in a house die; the relative who comes to burn the bodies asks whether anyone is left, and is told, 'Hush! For we must not mention the name of YHWH.' Zephaniah 1:7 links the same word to the Day of YHWH: 'Hush before the Lord YHWH, for the day of YHWH is near.'

From the study of Numbers 13:30

Range of meaning

The interjection has is the Hebrew equivalent of “Hush!” or “Shh!” It is a command for silence that is close to a sound effect. Several prophets use it before the presence of God (“Hush before the Lord GOD!” Zeph 1:7; Hab 2:20; Zech 2:13 [Heb 2:17]) and also in scenes of fear or grief (Amos 6:10; 8:3). The verb built on it means “to say has,” in other words to hush or quiet people. The causative form used here, “made [them] hush,” occurs only in this verse.

Against the English

“Stilled” (KJV, WEB), “quieted” (BSB) and “silenced” (NIV) are all accurate. They lose the sound of the word, though. Hebrew hearers would almost hear Caleb going “Shh!” at an agitated crowd.

Used elsewhere in the period

The interjection appears in Judg 3:19 (Ehud's “Silence!”, which clears the room), Amos 6:10, Amos 8:3, Hab 2:20, Zeph 1:7 and Zech 2:17 (Heb). In Neh 8:11 the Levites calm the weeping crowd with hassû, “Be quiet!” (BDB, HALOT s.v. הסה).