Composed of the privative alpha and phone ('voice, sound'), aphonos describes what lacks voice or the power of speech. The NT deploys it across a striking range of subjects. Acts 8:32 quotes Isaiah 53:7, likening Christ to a lamb 'silent' before its shearer. Paul uses it of the dumb idols the Corinthians once worshipped (1 Cor 12:2) and of musical instruments that give no distinct sound (1 Cor 14:10 — though here the sense is debated). Second Peter 2:16 provides the most vivid occurrence: Balaam's donkey, 'a voiceless beast of burden,' rebukes the prophet with a human voice. Spanish 'mudo/muda' and French 'muet' consistently render the privative sense of being without speech.