2 Kings 18:36

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

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The Rabshakeh taunts Judah from outside Jerusalem, demanding they answer his claims that Yahweh cannot save them. The people obey King Hezekiah’s direct order to remain completely silent and refuse to reply.

The words — The Hebrew verb הֶחֱרִישׁוּ (he.che.Ri.shu) literally means “they kept silent,” paired with the phrase לֹא־עָנוּ דָבָר (lo-'anu davar), “they did not answer anything.” This lexical pairing emphasizes a deliberate, enforced refusal to engage in theological debate.

The thread — This posture of restrained silence appears in Psalms 38:13 and Psalms 39:1, where the psalmist adopts mute restraint to avoid sinning or provoking enemies. Proverbs 9:7 also warns that correcting a mocker only brings shame, reinforcing the wisdom of withholding speech from hostile provocation.

Why it lands — The verse demands that readers recognize the strategic value of silence when facing provocation designed to trap or distract. It instructs believers to submit to godly authority and refuse to legitimize falsehood through unwise engagement.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְהֶחֱרִ֣ישׁוּve./he.che.Ri.shuand/ they kept silent הָעָ֔םha./'Amthe/ people וְלֹֽא־ve./lo'-and/ not עָנ֥וּ'a.Nuthey answered אֹת֖וֹ'o.T/o<obj.>/ him דָּבָ֑רda.Varanything כִּי־ki-for מִצְוַ֨תmitz.Vat[was] [the] command of הַמֶּ֥לֶךְha./Me.lekhthe/ king הִ֛יאhi'it לֵאמֹ֖רle./Mor<to>/ saying לֹ֥אlo'not תַעֲנֻֽהוּ׃ta.'a.Nu./huyou must answer/ him

King James Version

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

Cross-references

Psalms 38:13 But like a deaf man, I do not hear; and like a mute man, I do not open my mouth.
Psalms 39:1 For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. 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.”
Proverbs 9:7 He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
Proverbs 26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
Amos 5:13 Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.
Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.