In this study we will look at the meaning of the word Silence in the Bible and how it came to be used as a name of one of the aeons. First we will have an opening reading from Pseuo-Philo and the Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch
2. There were darkness and silence before the world was, and the silence spake, and the darkness became visible. And then was thy name created, even at the drawing together of that which was stretched out, whereof the upper was called heaven and the lower was called earth (Biblical Antiquities of Philo or Pseuo philo chapter 60)
2 Baruch 3:7 Or shall the world return to its nature of aforetime, and the age revert to primeval silence (2 Baruch 3:7)
The Meaning of Silence
The Greek word translated silence is the word Sigé (4602. σιγή), it is a feminine noun.
Definition: to keep silent, to keep secret, silence
1Cor 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
There are two Hebrew words translated as "silence" דְּמָמָה (Strong's 01827) dᵉmâmâh and דמם dâmam (Strong's 01826),
The word dâmam (01826) is a verb and the word dᵉmâmâh (01827) is a feminine noun
01827. דממה d@mamah dem-aw-maw’; feminine from of 01826; quiet: — whisper, calm, silence, still.
Job 4:16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
1Kings 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire ; but Yahweh was not in the fire : and after the fire a still <01827> small voice.
Heb. a voice of gentle silence. I think this could be an internal voice
The Hebrew word for Silence can also be translated rest
Psalm 37:7 Rest <01826> in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
01826 דמם damam daw-man’ a prim root [compare 01724, 01820]; v; [BDB-198b] {See TWOT on 439 }
AV-silence 6, still 6, silent 4, cut off 3, cut down 2, rest 2, cease 2, forbear 1, peace 1, quieted 1, tarry 1, wait 1; 30
figuratively of the unanswered prayers of the believer (#Ps 83:1; 35:22; Jer 8:14);
of awe in the presence of the Divine Majesty (#Isa 41:1; Zec 2:13).
Symbolic Meaning of Silence
Silence as a form of wisdom is frequently encouraged in Proverbs too. It can help wisely avoid transgression (Proverbs 10:19) and manifest respect and understanding (Proverbs 11:12; 17:27). It is part of wise and even-handed interactions (Proverbs 29:11; cf. Amos 5:13). Silence is so powerful that it can even make the fool at least appear wise and intelligent (Proverbs 17:28).
Silence, --A state of consciousness entered into for the purpose of putting believers in touch with the mind of Christ so that the believer may listen to the "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12).
Silence, or stillness “praise God in silence”
When one goes into the silence he enters the "secret place of the Most High," the house of prayer within. He closes the door and in the stillness of that meeting place he prays to God, he has fellowship with God, and he meditates on Truth. Then he listens to what God has to say to him.
Rev 8:1 And when he opened the seventh seal, a silence occurred in heaven for about a half hour.
Psa 65 There will be silence before You, and praise in Zion, O God, And to You the vow will be performed.
For silence is the most excellent of offerings,
From 1Kings 19:12 we can see that silence is an attribute of the Deity is a feminine aspect.
silence can be compared to wisdom thus Sigé is also Sophia
When suddenly a Voice Divine
Rang through the silence of the shrine
During the Second Temple period silence took on a new and different meaning
Wisdom of Solomon 18:14-16
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
14 For while gentle silence enveloped all things
and night in its swift course was now half-gone,
15 your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne,
into the midst of the land that was doomed,
a stern warrior
16 carrying the sharp sword of your authentic command,
and stood and filled all things with death
and touched heaven while standing on the earth.
2. There were darkness and silence before the world was, and the silence spake, and the darkness became visible. And then was thy name created, even at the drawing together of that which was stretched out, whereof the upper was called heaven and the lower was called earth (Biblical Antiquities of Philo or Pseuo philo chapter 60)
2 Baruch 3:7 Or shall the world return to its nature of aforetime, and the age revert to primeval silence (2 Baruch 3:7)
Both these texts mention primordial Silence. In 2 Baruch the texts says "the age revert to its primeval silence" here the words age and silence are used together to refer to a time before the aeons began to speak (See the Odes of Solomon Ode 12:8.)
Ode 12:8 8 And by it the worlds (aeons) talk one to the other; and in the Word there were those that were silent;
Silence is also used with a primordial meaning in Romans 16:25
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret <4601> since the world began <166>,
Romans 16:25 ¶ Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence<4601> through times eternal <166>,
Here in Romans 16:25 the Greek words Aeon (Strong's 166) and Sige (Strong's 4601) are used together
In Romans 16:25 the sacred secret is HIDDEN in silence a secret in times of ages past has been concealed;
this sacred secret is dwelling in the silence of the Aeons it is the Christ
Therefore, the Father, being unknown, wished to be known to the Aeons, and through his own thought, as if he had known himself, he put forth the Only-Begotten, the spirit of Knowledge which is in Knowledge. So he too who came forth from Know ledge, that is, from the Father's Thought, became Knowledge, that is, the Son, because “through' the Son the Father was known.” (Extracts from the Works of Theodotus)