[Greek] φιμόω (phimoō), [Latin] mutescere, [Latin] tacere, [Latin] alligare: to say nothing, to muzzle, to put to silence, to cease to make a sound; Mt.22:12,34, Mk.1:25, Mk.4:39, Lk.4:35, 1Cor.9:9, 1Tim.5:18, 1Pet.2:15
Like the disciples (Mk. 4:39), many of us are in the same boat asking and pleading for Jesus to calm the storms in our lives.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to muzzle, to close, to seal up, to put to silence, to be mute, and to be silent.
Aristophanes’ Clouds 592: “If you should convict the cormorant Cleon of bribery and embezzlement, then make fast his neck in the stocks.”
Aristotle Politics 1.260: “Hence we must hold that all of these persons have their appropriate virtues, as the poet said of woman; ‘Silence gives grace to women, though that is not the case likewise with a man.’” (This becomes a back-ended insult to women).
Old Testament: This term means to muzzle and to stop up. Stopping the noses of passengers means refers to the stench given off.
New Testament: This term means to muzzle, to silence, to be silenced, and to say nothing.
Scripture:
Mt.22:12: “He said to him, ‘my friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence.” (In the parable of the wedding feast, the man came to the wedding without a wedding garment. The wedding garment refers to the change of heart, mind, and repentance necessary for entrance into heaven. The king casts out this person into darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.)
Mt.22:34: “When the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.” (The Sadducees tried to trick Jesus about marriage commitments in heaven. Jesus points out that marriage will no longer exist in heaven. Then the Pharisees and Sadducees continued again to try to trick Him.)
Mk.1:25: “Jesus rebuked the demoniac and said, ‘Quiet! Come out of him!'” (The demons even acknowledged and respected the authority [Holy One of God] of Jesus. Jesus is now recognized for sending out demons from possessed persons.)
Mk.4:39: “He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ The wind ceased and there was great calm.” (Jesus rebukes the wind and subdues the turbulence by a mere word. This is seen as a sign of Jesus’ saving presence.)
1Tim.5:18: “For the scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle and an oxen when it is threshing [grain]’ and ‘A worker deserves his pay.'” (Just as an oxen not be deprived of feeding upon the grain it is threshing, a presbyter is entitled and given the responsibility of preaching and teaching. These presbyters are to be supported by the community. Yet their public position subjects them to valid criticism and scrutiny.)
1 Pet.2:15: “For it is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish people.” (Christian freedom results from being servants to others. This include reverence for God, esteem for the person, and committed love for others. Yet, Christians must still be subject to human institutions.)
Etymology: The Latin verb tacere means to be silent, to leave unmentioned, and to pass over in silence. Tacit means unspoken but implied. Taciturn means non-talkative. The Latin verb mutescere means to become silent. The Latin verb alligare means to bind, to detain, and to hinder. Alligation is the process of binding or tying. An alligator is a creature that ties or binds.
Conclusion:
Tacit, taciturn, mute, muted, alligator, alligate, alligation
In Greek Hellenism, this term is used both literally and metaphorically. Fastening one’s neck in a stock was a form of punishment. Many past cultures were patriarchal in allowing very few freedoms, rights, and liberties to women. Bestowing silence as a grace to women was a back-handed way in saying that women must be silent or quiet. Aristotle held that women were inferior.
Update: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king who gives a wedding feast for his on. One must wear the wedding garment of repentance in order to gain admission into heaven. Yet, many may not gain admission because of their sinful lifestyle.
Pope Francis and his inner circle are frequently seeking to silence Catholics (clergy and laity) in stating and following traditional Church teachings. Yet, these Catholics are often silenced and muzzled for speaking out against. This is an illustration on the modern heresy of hyper-papalism (if you oppose the Pope, then you are divisive.)
Many clergy, often fearful and afraid of being silenced, cancelled, removed, and reassigned, still have a priestly responsibility to speak out against heresy and questionable Churches. Even their tacit silence may be perceived as the failure to undertake their priestly responsibilities.
Clergy will be ultimately held responsible to God if they will have failed (or remain silent) in their duties as a priest: speaking out, whether or not they followed Church teachings, whether or not they followed heretical teachings, not pointing out sinful behavior, etc.
The legion of “pope-splainers” are out in full force actively seeking to silence Traditional Catholics (“Trads”) and conservative Catholics and Christians.
Pope Francis and his inner circle are actively seeking to silence and remove the Traditional Latin Mass.
Satan, although recognizing God’s authority, continues to use subterfuge and deception in undermining the Church (priests and laity). And you wonder how heresy and demonic teachings enter into the Church (non-liturgical blessings for same-sex couples.)
Satan and the Modernists are both seeking to undermine the Church. Let that sink in. This notion can cause one to pause in silence.
Personal note: On July 8, Hurricane Beryl hit my city of Houston. We were out of power for 6 days. Aside from the noise of the gas generators, we experienced the silence of no power. Yet as of now, there are still people in Houston who still have no power. There were many people in the same boat who experienced damage from the hurricane.
Let me end this post with this important question…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eebBRsm7Pxc