American Standard Version
Isaiah 36:21
21But they held their peace, and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
Isaiah 36:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
- New International Version (NIV)But the people remained silent and said nothing in reply, because the king had commanded, “Do not answer him.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)But they were silent and answered him not a word, for the king's command was, "Do not answer him."
- New King James Version (NKJV)But they held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”
Context of Isaiah 36:21
19Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? 20Who are they among all the gods of these countries, that have delivered their country out of my hand, that Jehovah should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand? But they held their peace, and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not. 22Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, that 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.
Read all of Isaiah 36Isaiah 36:21 word by word
וַֽיַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ וְלֹֽא־עָנ֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ דָּבָ֑ר כִּֽי־מִצְוַ֨ת הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ הִ֛יא לֵאמֹ֖ר לֹ֥א תַעֲנֻֽהוּ׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Isaiah 36:21
- 2 Kings 18:26Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not with us in the Jews’ language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
- Psalms 38:13But I, as a deaf man, hear not; And I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
- Psalms 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.
- Proverbs 9:7He that correcteth a scoffer getteth to himself reviling; And he that reproveth a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
- Proverbs 26:4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
- Amos 5:13Therefore he that is prudent shall keep silence in such a time; for it is an evil time.
- Matthew 7:6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you.
Commentaries on Isaiah 36:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21But they held their peace "But the people held their peace" - The word העם haam, the people, is supplied from the other copy, and is authorized by a MS. which inserts it after אתו otho .Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21But they held their peace - Hezekiah had commanded them not to answer. They were simply to hear what Rabshakeh had to propose, and to report to him, that he might decide on what course to pursue. It was a case also in which it was every way proper that they should be silent. There was so much insolence, self-confidence, blasphemy, the proposals were so degrading, and the claims were so arrogant, that it was not proper that they should enter into…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-22The Assyrian chief of staff tried to use intimidation to negotiate a peaceful settlement. In his first speech (Isaiah 36:4–10), he correctly argued that Egypt could not rescue them but incorrectly accused Hezekiah of misplaced trust in the Lord. Interestingly, the Assyrian did not view the contest as between the gods of Assyria and the Lord, but rather between Sennacherib (the great king) and the Lord.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. not a word--so as not to enter into a war of words with the blasphemer (Ex 14:14; Jude 9).Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 36:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 36
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries