Bible Dictionary
STILL
Still means quiet, inactive, or at rest; “be still” may call for the cessation of conflict. “Still waters” describes refreshing waters where sheep may rest, while the “still small voice” refers to a gentle whisper.
Definition
Still means quiet, silent, inactive, at rest, or restrained. As a verb it may mean to remain, cease, stop, or support. “Still waters” may refer to refreshing waters or wells where flocks rest, while a “still small voice” means a whispering, gentle voice.
Biblical Usage
“Be still” may call for the cessation of conflict. The “still small voice” describes the gentle whisper heard by Elijah, and “still waters” in the shepherd psalm describe waters associated with rest or refreshment.
Historical Background
The English word has several biblical senses arising from different Hebrew expressions. Translation revisions sometimes use “let be,” “hold,” “whisper,” or “waters of rest” to clarify the context.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>stil: "To be still" is "to keep silence" (Ps 4:4, etc.) and so "to be quiet" (Ps 107:29, etc.) or "inactive" in any way (Jud 18:9; 1Ki 22:3; Zec 1:11, etc.). So "be still" in Ps 46:10 means "desist from your war" (compare the Revised Version margin "let be"). The "still small voice" of 1Ki 19:12 (the Revised Version margin "sound of gentle stillness") is due to taking the Hebrew demamah in its literal force of "silent," but the word here means "whisper"--"a whispering, little voice." This familiar passage, however, has made "still voice" good English, and the combination is used in Job 4:16 by the Revised Version margin. In Ps 23:2 the translation "still waters" takes "waters of rest" (so literally for menuchah; compare the Revised Version margin) to mean "waters with little motion." But the meaning is either "wells by which the flocks rest" or "wells that give refreshing water." As an adverb "still" is perhaps more emphatic than in modern English; compare "power to keep still the kingdom," 2Ch 22:9 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "to hold the kingdom").</p><p>Burton Scott Easton</p>