Zechariah 2:13
Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בָּשָׂ֖ר
O all flesh
H1320
בָּשָׂ֖ר
O all flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
3 of 9
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
מִפְּנֵ֣י
before
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 9
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Habakkuk 2:20But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.Psalms 68:5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.Zephaniah 1:7Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.Psalms 78:65Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.Zephaniah 3:8Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.Isaiah 51:9Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?Psalms 46:10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.Romans 9:20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?Psalms 11:4The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.Deuteronomy 26:15Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
Historical Context
In an age of competing religious claims and pagan deities worshiped noisily (1 Kings 18:26-28), Zechariah calls for silence—acknowledging Yahweh alone acts in history. The post-exilic community, tempted to doubt God's activity during decades of delay, hears that God is 'arousing Himself' to fulfill every promise. Silence before God remains the proper posture when human words fail before divine majesty (Job 40:4-5).
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God's activity evoke silence rather than praise (though praise follows)?
- How can we cultivate reverent silence before God in a noisy, distracted culture?
- What does God 'arousing Himself from His holy habitation' reveal about His sovereignty over timing?
Analysis & Commentary
Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation—The chapter climaxes with a call to cosmic reverence. Has (הַס, 'hush/be silent') is an interjection demanding immediate silence, found in only seven Old Testament passages, each marking awesome divine intervention (Habakkuk 2:20; Zephaniah 1:7). Kol-bāsār (כָּל־בָּשָׂר, 'all flesh') encompasses all humanity, all created beings—universal awe before divine action.
For he is raised up out of his holy habitation—ne'ōr (נֵעוֹר, 'aroused/awakened') depicts God rousing Himself from apparent inactivity to decisive intervention. This anthropomorphic language doesn't imply God sleeps, but that He moves from patient waiting to active judgment and redemption. Me'ōn qodsho (מְעוֹן קָדְשׁוֹ, 'His holy habitation') locates God's dwelling in heaven, from which He now descends to fulfill His promises. When God arises, all creation holds its breath (Psalm 76:8-9). This verse anticipates both Incarnation and Second Coming—moments when heaven invades earth and silence becomes the only appropriate response.