סָכַת (sa.khat)
sa.khat
be silent
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sâkhat means to be silent or to keep quiet. It is a rare word in the Old Testament, appearing only once in the entire Bible. This single occurrence is found in Deuteronomy 27:9, where Moses addresses the people of Israel before they enter the Promised Land.
In this specific context, the text uses the Hiphil stem, which conveys a causative sense: to cause silence or to show silence. The verse records Moses commanding the assembly to be quiet and listen as he reaffirms their covenant relationship with God. This usage suggests that the silence is not merely an absence of noise, but a respectful, attentive stillness required for receiving divine instruction.
Because this word appears so infrequently, it does not have a wide range of meanings or complex theological associations in Scripture. Its significance lies entirely in its singular context, highlighting the solemnity of the moment when God’s people are called to listen intently to His words. Translators typically render it simply as "be silent" or "listen," capturing the direct command for quiet attention.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Moses stood before the Israelites on the edge of the Promised Land, he did not shout or rush. He asked them to be silent and listen. This moment captures a profound truth about how we encounter God. It is not always about speaking our needs or debating theology; sometimes it is simply about quieting our hearts to hear His voice.
In Deuteronomy 27:9, this rare command highlights the weight of covenant. To be silent here was to acknowledge who God is and who they had become. For you, this might mean carving out space in your busy day where no other voices compete with His. It is an invitation to rest in the certainty that He has already claimed you as His own.
Let this word remind you that listening is an act of faith. When the world grows loud, stepping into stillness is not passive; it is a deliberate choice to trust God’s leading. May you find peace in those quiet moments where His presence is most clearly felt.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- keep silent1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַסְכֵּ֤ת\׀1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 27:9
Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silent and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of Yahweh your God.
This verse uses the causative stem to command the entire assembly into a reverent stillness, marking the solemn transition into their covenant relationship with God.