The Hebrew verb kharash carries two distinct but related meanings: (1) to be silent, to keep quiet, to hold one's peace; and (2) to plow or till the ground, to engrave or devise craftwork. The contexts determine which meaning is intended. In religious contexts, it frequently means to remain silent before God.
The call to be silent (kharash) before God is a profound spiritual discipline in the Old Testament. When Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses, the Lord's anger burned and Miriam was struck with leprosy — Aaron and Moses fell silent (kharash) before God's judgment. The command to 'be still and know that I am God' (Psalm 46:10) echoes this concept. The agricultural meaning (to plow) also carries spiritual weight: the prophets use plowing metaphors for breaking up hardened hearts and preparing for righteousness (Hosea 10:12). To plow fallow ground is to prepare the soul for God.