חָרֵשׁ

From the study of Exodus 14:14

Range of meaning

Hebrew has two look-alike roots spelled חרשׁ. One means "to engrave, plow, devise." This one means "to be silent" or "deaf." In the causative-type form used here (the hiphil), its range runs from (1) being or falling silent, saying nothing (Gen 24:21, the servant watching Rebekah "in silence"; Isa 36:21, "they held their peace and answered not a word"), through (2) keeping quiet as a deliberate choice, not objecting (Num 30:5, 8, a father or husband who "says nothing" when he hears a vow, which lets it stand), to (3) doing nothing, staying inactive (2 Sam 19:10, "why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?", meaning why aren't you acting; Judg 18:19, "Be quiet, put your hand over your mouth"). BDB and HALOT give both "be silent" and "keep still, be inactive."

Against the English

KJV's "hold your peace" and NASB's "keep silent" keep the sense of silence. WEB's and NIV/BSB's "be still" can mean "be quiet" in older English, but today it suggests motionless calm or a meditative inner stillness. NLT's "stay calm" moves the word fully inside the person, as an emotional state. None of these is outright wrong, but the Hebrew points first to the mouth: stop the noise.

How it drifted

In 1611 English, "be still" commonly meant "be quiet, stop talking." Today it mostly means "don't move" or "be calm inside." Devotional use has also merged this verse with Psalm 46:10 ("Be still, and know that I am God"). That verse uses a different Hebrew verb (rāpâ, "let go, stop, leave off"), so the two verses now sound like one teaching about quiet contemplation.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Septuagint renders it σιγήσετε (sigēsete, "you will be silent"), and the Latin Vulgate tacebitis ("you will be silent"). Both are words of speech, not posture. Early Jewish interpretation read it the same way. In the Mekhilta of Rabbi Ishmael (an early rabbinic commentary on Exodus), and in a tradition also found in Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (an Aramaic paraphrase), Israel at the sea splits into four factions: some want to drown themselves, some to go back to Egypt, some to fight, and some to raise a shout against the Egyptians. Moses' words answer each group, and "you shall be silent" answers the shouters.

From the study of Isaiah 41:1

Range of meaning

This root (ḥ-r-sh, the ‘silence’ root, a different root from the one meaning ‘plough’ or ‘engrave’) means to be silent or keep still. It covers holding back speech (Genesis 24:21; Esther 4:14), refusing to answer, and staying quiet so someone else can be heard (Job 13:5, 13; 33:31, 33).

Against the English

KJV, WEB and YLT have “keep silence/keep silent”; BSB has “be silent before me.” ESV and NASB add “listen to me in silence,” which brings out that the silence is meant for listening.

Used elsewhere in the period

Job uses the same command in a near-legal dispute: “Be silent, and I will speak” (Job 13:13; 33:31). The Greek Septuagint seems to have read a different, similar-looking Hebrew word (“be renewed”), which shows how easily the Hebrew letters r and d were confused.

From the study of Proverbs 20:4

Range of meaning

'To plow, cut furrows' (Deut 22:10; 1 Kgs 19:19; Amos 6:12). By extension, 'to cut in, engrave' and 'to devise, plot', as in 'plowing' evil (Prov 3:29; 6:14). This verse uses the plain farming sense.

Against the English

All major versions say 'plow'. The English is accurate.

Used elsewhere in the period

Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen (1 Kgs 19:19). The law against yoking ox and donkey together for plowing (Deut 22:10). The Gezer Calendar's sowing months correspond to this work.