זכריה, פרק ב׳, פסוק י״ז

As the time approaches for God’s future revelation and His judgment upon the world, absolute silence is demanded from all of creation. This profound stillness, likened to the lifeless quiet of a stone [אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ], is directed at all humanity and the natural world [מצודת ציון, צאינה וראינה]. Some understand this call as aimed specifically at the idolatrous nations [רש״י]. Driven by an overwhelming fear of God, this silence serves a specific purpose: it completely shuts the mouths of the nations, ensuring they can no longer speak with arrogance or boastfulness against the people of Israel [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

The cause of this sudden, global quiet is that God has risen from His holy dwelling in heaven to take action on earth. The primary approach among commentators is to view this as a metaphor of waking from sleep [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. For a long time, it appeared as though God was slumbering, remaining silent in the face of the nations' misdeeds. Now, He awakens from this apparent sleep to enact justice, save His people, and dwell among them [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, this awakening is compared to the terrifying roar of a young lion. As God roars from His heavenly abode, the sheer dread of His voice forces everyone into complete submission and silence [אבן עזרא].

Beyond the punishment of the nations, this divine awakening is driven by a profound moral purpose. God does not rise from His place merely because the righteous request it, nor does He act solely in response to the repeated prayers of King David. Rather, God awakens specifically when He witnesses the injustice inflicted upon the poor and hears the cries of the oppressed and needy. When God stands up to restore justice and protect the most vulnerable members of society, a deep fear falls upon all people, compelling the entire world to stand in absolute silence [צאינה וראינה].