But the people were silent and did not answer him with even a word, because it was the king’s command: “Do not answer him.”
Parallel translations
- WEB But the people stayed quiet, and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”
- KJV But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
- BSB But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, “Do not answer him.”
- NKJV But the people held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”
- NLT But the people were silent and did not utter a word because Hezekiah had commanded them, “Do not answer him.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The people stayed silent, as Hezekiah had commanded, refusing to answer the taunts. Their disciplined restraint left the matter in God's hands.
Overview
Obeying the king's order, the people gave no reply to the Assyrian's provocations. Their silence was not weakness but wise restraint, refusing to be drawn into debate with a blasphemer. It reflects trust that the issue would be settled by God, not by argument. Sometimes faith is shown by quiet steadfastness while waiting on the LORD.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Ps 38:13–14But I, as a deaf man, don’t hear. I am as a mute man who doesn’t open his mouth.
- Prov 26:4Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
- Matt 7:6“Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
- Ps 39:1For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”
- Prov 9:7He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
- Amos 5:13Therefore a prudent person keeps silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Amid the long decline toward exile, the promise to David's house refuses to die; the flickering lamp kept burning anticipates the coming King who will not fail or be cut off.
How 2 Kings 18:36 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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