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

Study note

Setting — The Assyrian Rabshakeh addresses the citizens of Jerusalem from outside the walls, demanding to know why they trust the LORD over the gods of other nations. Hezekiah’s subjects follow his direct order to remain completely silent and refuse to respond to his threats.

The words — The Hebrew verb וַֽ/יַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ (va/i.ya.cha.Ri.shu) literally means “they kept silent,” paired with עָנ֥וּ ('a.Nu) “they answered” in a negative construction. These terms emphasize a deliberate, commanded restraint rather than mere shock or speechlessness.

The thread — This pattern of strategic silence appears in Proverbs 26:4, which warns against answering a fool according to his folly, and parallels the diplomatic restraint shown by Hezekiah’s officials in 2 Kings 18:26. The narrative context in Isaiah 36:22 confirms the officials later relay the Rabshakeh’s words directly to the king.

Why it lands — The text demands obedience to royal command over immediate self-defense or theological debate. A reader must recognize that silence can be a disciplined response to provocation rather than a sign of weakness or absence of faith.

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

וַֽיַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּva/i.ya.cha.Ri.shuand/ they kept silent וְלֹֽא־ve./lo'-and/ not עָנ֥וּ'a.Nuthey answered אֹת֖וֹ'o.T/o<obj.>/ him דָּבָ֑רda.Varanything כִּֽי־ki-for מִצְוַ֨תmitz.Vat[was] [the] commandment 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 they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

Cross-references

Proverbs 26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
2 Kings 18:26 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 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.
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.
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.