Isaiah 36 21

Isaiah 36:21 kjv

But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

Isaiah 36:21 nkjv

But they held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king's commandment was, "Do not answer him."

Isaiah 36:21 niv

But the people remained silent and said nothing in reply, because the king had commanded, "Do not answer him."

Isaiah 36:21 esv

But they were silent and answered him not a word, for the king's command was, "Do not answer him."

Isaiah 36:21 nlt

But the people were silent and did not utter a word because Hezekiah had commanded them, "Do not answer him."

Isaiah 36 verses

Isaiah 36 21 Meaning

The verse signifies that the people of Judah remained silent in the face of Sennacherib's Assyrian army. This silence was not due to agreement, but rather a strategic cessation of response, as instructed by King Hezekiah and conveyed through his officials, including Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah. Their silence served to demonstrate a lack of defiance to the Assyrian envoy, Rabshakeh, thus preventing any further provocation or grounds for immediate assault based on their verbal reaction. It also implied a deeper reliance on God's intervention, as revealed in the subsequent narrative.

Isaiah 36 21 Context

This verse is situated within the broader narrative of the Assyrian invasion of Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, had already captured many fortified cities of Judah and was threatening Jerusalem. His chief commander, Rabshakeh, had been sent by Sennacherib to demand Jerusalem's surrender. Rabshakeh stood before the city walls and, in a loud voice, addressed the officials of Judah and the people on the wall, denouncing Hezekiah's faith in the Lord and mocking the possibility of divine deliverance. He enumerated the failures of other nations' gods to save them from the Assyrian army, aiming to instill fear and demoralize the Judahites. In this specific instance, after Rabshakeh’s impassioned and threatening speech, the people on the wall remained silent, adhering to Hezekiah's prior instruction. This silence was a deliberate act of faith and obedience in a moment of intense psychological warfare, trusting that God would intervene rather than relying on their own spoken defenses.

Isaiah 36 21 Word Analysis

• but (Hebrew: וְ , ve)
  • A common conjunction indicating continuation, addition, or a contrast. Here, it signals a transition from Rabshakeh's words to the people's reaction.
• they (Hebrew: הֵם , hem)
  • Third person masculine plural pronoun. Refers to the people of Judah who were on the wall or representing them.
• held their peace (Hebrew: הֶחֱרִישׁוּ , hecherishu)
  • From the root חָרַשׁ (charash), meaning "to be deaf," "to be silent," or "to be idle."
  • The Hiphil conjugation emphasizes causing silence or making something silent. Here it means "they kept silent" or "they were made silent."
  • It implies a deliberate refusal to speak or respond, not just passive quietness. This strategic silence was commanded.
• and (Hebrew: וְ , ve)
  • Conjunction.
• answered (Hebrew: יַעֲנֶה , ya'aneh)
  • From the root עָנָה ('anah), meaning "to answer," "to respond," or "to testify."
  • Hiphil conjugation, perfect tense. The phrase means "and they did not answer."
• him (Hebrew: אֹתוֹ , oto)
  • Third person masculine singular object pronoun. Refers to Rabshakeh.
• no (Hebrew: דָּבָר , davar)
  • Literally means "a word," "a thing," or "a matter."
  • In this context, it functions with the negation to mean "not a word."
• word (Hebrew: דָּבָר , davar)
  • Same as above, emphasizing the complete lack of verbal response.
• for (Hebrew: כִּי , ki)
  • A common conjunction indicating reason or cause. It explains why they held their peace.
• the king’s (Hebrew: הַמֶּלֶךְ , ha-melekh)
  • The definite article "the" prefixed to מֶלֶךְ (melekh), meaning "king." Refers to King Hezekiah.
• commandment (Hebrew: צִוָּה , tzivvah)
  • From the root צָוָה (tzavah), meaning "to command," "to charge," or "to order."
  • The Qal conjugation, perfect tense, feminine singular form. It refers to an action done by someone (implied: Hezekiah). The Masoretic text reads צוָּה (tzivvah) as a verbal form rather than a noun. It implies "the king had commanded."
• was (Hebrew: הָיְתָה , hayetah)
  • Third person feminine singular perfect of היה (hayah), "to be." This links "commandment" to its cause or origin.

Words-group analysis:

• "held their peace, and answered him no word": This collective phrase strongly emphasizes the complete cessation of any verbal engagement with Rabshakeh's aggressive propaganda. It's a unified front of silent defiance, stemming from leadership and faith.
• "for the king’s commandment was": This clause provides the immediate reason for their silence. It highlights Hezekiah’s leadership and his strategy to respond to Assyrian intimidation not with words, but with trust in God and controlled non-response. This demonstrates strategic political and spiritual wisdom in dealing with a sophisticated psychological attack.

Isaiah 36 21 Bonus Section

This strategic silence can be understood as an application of spiritual warfare. Rather than engaging in the "wrestling" of human words and arguments with Rabshakeh's deceitful "rulers of this darkness" (Ephesians 6:12), they remained focused on the spiritual authority of God. Hezekiah’s instruction was not merely about politeness; it was a faith-based decision to deny the enemy any foothold through an exchange that would likely only serve Assyrian propaganda. The act of rending clothes and putting on sackcloth, which Hezekiah and the people did after Rabshakeh's departure (Isaiah 37:1, 2 Kings 19:1), signifies their mourning and submission to God, preparing them for prayer and seeking divine intervention, rather than engaging in further earthly defense through dialogue. The overall strategy emphasizes humility, strategic restraint, and dependence on God's power, themes that resonate throughout the Davidic kingship and the prophetic narratives.

Isaiah 36 21 Commentary

The silence of the people of Judah, mandated by King Hezekiah, was a powerful demonstration of their faith in Yahweh amidst overwhelming threat. Rabshakeh sought a verbal response to use as further propaganda or justification for an assault. By withholding words, the Judahites denied him this opportunity. This quiet obedience reflects a deep reliance on God’s promised intervention, a principle echoed throughout Scripture – that God acts for those who trust Him, rather than those who rely on their own eloquence or might. This moment precedes Isaiah’s prophecy and Hezekiah’s prayer, leading to a miraculous deliverance by God's own hand. Their silence was an active expression of trust.

Practical Usage: In challenging or provoking situations, especially when facing aggressive or manipulative communication, choosing thoughtful silence or a measured, non-confrontational response can be more effective than an immediate emotional reaction. This aligns with the biblical principle of controlling one's tongue and allowing God to direct the outcome, rather than escalating conflict with ill-timed words.