But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
Parallel translations
- WEB But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply, for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”
- BSB But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, “Do not answer him.”
- NKJV But they held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”
- NASB But they were silent and did not answer him so much as a word; for the king’s command 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 stay silent, obeying Hezekiah's command not to answer the Assyrian.
Overview
In contrast to the Rabshakeh's loud taunts, the people respond with disciplined silence at the king's order. Their restraint reflects both wisdom and a refusal to be drawn into the enemy's war of words. The silence leaves the matter in God's hands, trusting him rather than engaging the blasphemer's arguments.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Prov 26:4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
- Amos 5:13Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
- Ps 38:13–15But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
- Matt 7:6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
- 2 Kgs 18:26Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews’ language in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
- Prov 9:7–8He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
- Ps 39:1I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
- 2 Kgs 18:37Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
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Christ at the center
Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).
How Isaiah 36:21 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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