Isaiah 36:21 “But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah…”

Isaiah 36:21

But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, “Do not answer him.”

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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

World English Bible

But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply, for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

Then they kept silence, and answered him not a worde: for the Kings commandement was, saying, Answere him not.

Darby Translation

And they were silent, and answered him not a word; for the king's command was, saying, Answer him not.

Young's Literal Translation

And they keep silent, and have not answered him a word, for a command of the king is, saying, 'Do not answer him.'

Bible in Basic English

But they kept quiet and gave him no answer: for the king's order was, Give him no answer.

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Cross references

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

Proverbs 26:4 2 Kings 18:26 2 Kings 18:37 Psalm 38:13–15 Psalm 39:1 Amos 5:13

Proverbs 26:4 · BSB

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.

2 Kings 18:26 · BSB

Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.…

2 Kings 18:37 · BSB

Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh.

Psalm 38:13–15 · BSB

But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth.

Psalm 39:1 · BSB

I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”

Amos 5:13 · BSB

Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

20Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”

22Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh.

Read Isaiah 36