σιγάω

I keep silent

Definition

The verb σιγάω primarily means 'to be silent' or 'to keep silent.' It can be used intransitively to describe a person choosing not to speak, as when the disciples kept silent about the Transfiguration (Luke 9:36). Transitively, it means 'to keep something secret' or 'to conceal,' as seen in Romans 16:25 where a mystery was kept secret for long ages. In the passive voice, it carries the sense of 'to be kept secret' or 'to be hushed up.' The word encompasses both a voluntary cessation of speech and the deliberate withholding of information.

Biblical Usage

Σιγάω is used in various contexts across the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles. In narrative settings, it often describes a reaction to an awe-inspiring event, like the Transfiguration (Luke 9:36) or a miraculous escape (Acts 12:17). In didactic passages, particularly 1 Corinthians 14:28, 30, it provides practical instruction for orderly worship, commanding prophets to be silent if another receives a revelation. It also appears in theological discourse to describe divine mysteries previously concealed (Romans 16:25).

Etymology

Derived from the Greek noun σιγή (sigē), meaning 'silence.' It is an onomatopoeic word, imitating the 's' sound used to request quiet. The verb form σιγάω directly means 'to be silent' or 'to hush.' Its meaning remained consistent in Koine Greek, focusing on the absence or suppression of speech.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it touches on themes of divine revelation, worship order, and human response to God. In Romans 16:25, it describes the mystery of the gospel once hidden but now revealed in Christ, highlighting God's sovereign timing. In 1 Corinthians 14, its use underscores the principle that all spiritual gifts, including prophecy, must be exercised decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40) for the edification of the church, not for personal display. Understanding this term enriches reading by clarifying when silence is an act of reverence, obedience, or awaiting God's appointed time for speech.

In the Greco-Roman world, silence could signify respect, secrecy, or strategic withholding in legal or political contexts (e.g., Luke 20:26). In Jewish and early Christian worship, as reflected in 1 Corinthians, orderly speech was valued, and chaotic or simultaneous prophecy was seen as disruptive. The command to 'keep silent' in church settings was not about suppressing participation but about ensuring clarity and edification for all listeners.

ἡσυχάζω (hēsychazō, G2270) — emphasizes quietness, rest, or ceasing from activity, not just speech. σιωπάω (siōpaō, G4623) — a near synonym for being silent or mute, but can imply a more absolute or involuntary silence.

Word Details

Scripture References