Christian Standard Bible
Isaiah 36:21
21But they kept silent; they didn’t say anything, for the king’s command was, “Don’t answer him.”
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? Have they rescued Samaria from my power? 20Who among all the gods of these lands ever rescued his land from my power? So will the Lord rescue Jerusalem from my power?” But they kept silent; they didn’t say anything, for the king’s command was, “Don’t answer him.” 22Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the court secretary, and Joah son of Asaph, the court historian, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn and reported to him the words of the royal spokesman.
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
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Isaiah 36:21
- 2 Kings 18:26Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Shebnah, and Joah said to the royal spokesman, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Don’t speak with us in Hebrew within earshot of the people on the wall.”
- Psalms 38:13I am like a deaf person; I do not hear. I am like a speechless person who does not open his mouth.
- Psalms 39:1I said, “I will guard my ways so that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
- Proverbs 9:7The one who corrects a mocker will bring abuse on himself; the one who rebukes the wicked will get hurt.
- Proverbs 26:4Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself.
- Amos 5:13Therefore, those who have insight will keep silent at such a time, for the days are evil.
- Matthew 7:6Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.
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
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