31 Bible Verses about Individuals Being Silent

Meanwhile, the man stood gazing at Rebekah in [reverent] silence, [waiting] to know if the Lord had made his trip successful or not.

Now Jacob heard that Shechem had defiled (violated) Dinah his daughter; but his sons were in the field with his livestock, so Jacob said nothing until they came in.

Yet Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, “It is an incident [of some kind] and he is not [ceremonially] clean—surely he is unclean.”

Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord said:

‘I will be treated as holy by those who approach Me,
And before all the people I will be honored.’”

So Aaron, therefore, said nothing.

When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.

But some worthless men said, “How can this man save and rescue us?” And they regarded Saul with contempt and did not bring him a gift. But he ignored the insult and kept silent.

For as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, for even if the guilt is in my son Jonathan, he shall most certainly die.” But not one of all the people answered him.

So her brother Absalom said to her, “Has your brother Amnon been with you? But now keep silent, my sister; he is your brother; do not take this matter to heart.” So Tamar remained secluded in her brother Absalom’s house.

But Absalom did not speak to Amnon either good or bad; for Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.

Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people [of Israel] did not answer him [so much as] a word.

But the people kept silent and did not answer him, for the king had commanded, “Do not answer him.”

But they kept silent and did not say a word to him in reply, for King Hezekiah’s command was, “Do not answer him.”

The elders of the Daughter of Zion
Sit on the ground keeping silent;
They have thrown dust on their heads,
They have covered themselves with sackcloth.
The virgins of Jerusalem
Have bowed their heads to the ground.

He asked them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent.

But they kept silent. Then He took hold of the man and healed him, and sent him on his way.

They were not able to seize on anything He said in the presence of the people; and being unnerved at His reply, they were silent.

But they kept quiet, because on the road they had discussed and debated with one another which one [of them] was the greatest.

All the people remained silent, and they listened [attentively] to Barnabas and Paul as they described all the signs and wonders (attesting miracles) that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet. And he continued,

The princes stopped talking
And put their hands on their mouths;

The voices of the nobles were hushed,
And their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.

“After I spoke, they did not speak again,
And my speech dropped upon them [like a refreshing shower].

“They listened to me and waited
And kept silent for my counsel.

But I, like a deaf man, do not hear;
I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

“I am mute, I do not open my mouth,
Because it is You who has done it.

I said, “I will guard my ways
That I may not sin with my tongue;
I will muzzle my mouth
While the wicked are in my presence.”

I was mute and silent [before my enemies],
I refrained even from good,
And my distress grew worse.

So they sat down on the ground with Job for seven days and seven nights and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.

So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes [and could not be persuaded otherwise by them].

Just then His disciples came, and they were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. However, no one said, “What are You asking about?” or, “Why are You talking to her?”

Look, He is speaking publicly, and they say nothing to Him! Is it possible that the rulers really know that this is the Christ?