Isaiah 36:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But they held their peace {H2790}, and answered {H6030} him not a word {H1697}: for the king's {H4428} commandment {H4687} was, saying {H559}, Answer {H6030} him not.

Complete Jewish Bible

But they kept still and didn't answer him so much as a word, for the king's order was, "Don't answer him."

Berean Standard Bible

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 36:21 captures a pivotal moment during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, where King Hezekiah's strategic command for silence in the face of the Rabshakeh's taunts is met with immediate and disciplined obedience by the people. This verse underscores the profound wisdom of a leader who understood that engaging in a war of words with a blasphemous enemy would only serve to demoralize his people and distract from the true source of their hope and deliverance, which lay in God alone.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah, specifically following the audacious and blasphemous speech of the Rabshakeh, the Assyrian field commander. In the preceding verses [Isaiah 36:13-20](/isaiah/36-13 "Isaiah 36:13-20 - The Rabshakeh's Taunts"), the Rabshakeh publicly mocks Judah's trust in Yahweh, compares Him to the defeated gods of other nations, and attempts to sow disunity and fear among the people by speaking in Hebrew. Hezekiah's officials, Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah, had already requested him to speak Aramaic to avoid alarming the people [Isaiah 36:11](/isaiah/36-11 "Isaiah 36:11 - Request to Speak Aramaic"), but the Rabshakeh defiantly continued in Hebrew. The silence commanded in [Isaiah 36:21](/isaiah/36-21 "Isaiah 36:21 - The Command for Silence") is the immediate response to this verbal assault, setting the stage for Hezekiah's subsequent actions of mourning, prayer, and seeking prophetic counsel from Isaiah in the following chapter [Isaiah 37](/isaiah/37 "Isaiah 37 - Hezekiah's Prayer and God's Deliverance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Isaiah 36-39 (also paralleled in [2 Kings 18-20](/2_kings/18 "2 Kings 18-20 - Hezekiah's Reign and the Assyrian Invasion") and [2 Chronicles 32](/2_chronicles/32 "2 Chronicles 32 - Sennacherib's Invasion")) recount Sennacherib's campaign against Judah around 701 BC. Assyria was the dominant superpower of the ancient Near East, known for its brutal military tactics and psychological warfare. The Rabshakeh's speech was a calculated act of intimidation, designed to break the morale of the besieged city by undermining their faith in God and their king. Speaking in Hebrew to the people on the wall was a deliberate tactic to bypass Hezekiah's officials and directly appeal to the common citizens, urging them to surrender. In such a high-stakes confrontation, a verbal response was expected, making Hezekiah's command for silence a remarkably counter-cultural and strategic move, demonstrating both his authority and his trust in a different kind of warfare.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes emerging from this verse and its immediate context include **Divine Sovereignty and Trust**, as Hezekiah's command implicitly acknowledges that God is the ultimate defender and responder, not human words. It highlights **Wisdom in Leadership**, demonstrating Hezekiah's discernment in preventing further demoralization and maintaining unity. The theme of **Spiritual Warfare** is also prominent, as the Rabshakeh's taunts are not merely political but also blasphemous, challenging the very God of Israel. The silence, therefore, becomes an act of spiritual resistance, allowing God to fight the battle. This passage also underscores the **Power of Silence** as a strategic and faithful response, contrasting sharply with the Rabshakeh's verbose and arrogant challenge, and foreshadowing God's powerful, decisive action in [Isaiah 37:36](/isaiah/37-36 "Isaiah 37:36 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes Assyria").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **held their peace (Hebrew, _chârash'_):** From H2790, this primitive root signifies "to scratch," "to engrave," or "to plough," but also, by implication, "to be silent" or "to let alone." In this context, it denotes a deliberate, conscious act of silence, not merely an absence of noise. It implies a strategic withholding of speech, often in the face of provocation or in anticipation of divine action, reflecting a disciplined restraint rather than fear or inability to respond.
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this versatile noun refers to "a word," "a matter," or "a thing." Here, it emphasizes the complete absence of any verbal reply. The people did not utter a single "word" in response, highlighting the totality of their obedience to the king's command. This "word" stands in stark contrast to the many words spoken by the Rabshakeh, underscoring the power of chosen silence over empty rhetoric.
* **commandment (Hebrew, _mitsvâh'_):** From H4687, this word refers to "a command," "an ordinance," or "a precept," whether human or divine. In this instance, it refers to a direct, authoritative order from King Hezekiah. The people's obedience to this "commandment" underscores Hezekiah's legitimate authority and their trust in his leadership, even in a seemingly passive instruction during a crisis.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But they held their peace, and answered him not a word":** This clause describes the immediate and unified response of the people and officials to the Rabshakeh's provocative speech. The phrase "held their peace" (from _chârash_) signifies a deliberate, disciplined silence, not a silence born of fear or ignorance, but a conscious act of restraint. They did not respond with any "word" (_dâbâr_), indicating a complete and total refusal to engage in verbal sparring or to be drawn into the enemy's psychological warfare. This demonstrates remarkable self-control and obedience in the face of extreme provocation and public humiliation.
* **"for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."** This second clause provides the crucial reason for their silence: it was a direct, authoritative "commandment" (_mitsvâh_) from King Hezekiah. Hezekiah's instruction to "Answer him not" (using _ʻânâh_, H6030, meaning "to respond" or "to heed") reveals his strategic wisdom. He understood that any verbal engagement would only play into the enemy's hands, validating their taunts, potentially revealing vulnerabilities, or further demoralizing the populace. His command was a proactive measure to maintain composure, unity, and focus on God's impending intervention.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is prominent, highlighting the stark difference between the Rabshakeh's loud, taunting, and blasphemous speech and the disciplined, unified silence of the people of Judah. This silence itself functions as a form of **Resistance**, denying the enemy the satisfaction of a reaction and frustrating their psychological warfare tactics. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the Rabshakeh likely interpreted the silence as a sign of fear or defeat, while in reality, it was an act of strategic wisdom and profound trust in God's ultimate intervention. Furthermore, the verse serves as a subtle **Foreshadowing**, as this human silence precedes and anticipates the powerful, decisive action of God, who will indeed "answer" the Assyrians, not with words, but with a devastating blow (as seen in [Isaiah 37:36](/isaiah/37-36 "Isaiah 37:36 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes Assyria")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 36:21 powerfully illustrates the theological principle that true strength and wisdom often lie not in immediate human reaction, but in discerning silence and trust in divine sovereignty. Hezekiah's command to "Answer him not" was not an act of cowardice but a profound act of faith, recognizing that some battles are best left for God to fight. It underscores the truth that God is capable of defending His name and His people, and that human attempts to verbally defend Him against blasphemy can sometimes diminish the magnitude of His own power to respond. This moment of disciplined silence allows for a shift from human rhetoric to divine action, setting the stage for God's miraculous intervention on behalf of Jerusalem.

* [2 Kings 18:36](/2_kings/18-36 "2 Kings 18:36 - Parallel Account of Silence")
* [Proverbs 17:28](/proverbs/17-28 "Proverbs 17:28 - Even a Fool, When He Holds His Peace, Is Counted Wise")
* [Isaiah 37:6](/isaiah/37-6 "Isaiah 37:6 - Isaiah's Prophecy of God's Response")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world saturated with noise, constant demands for immediate responses, and the pervasive culture of verbal sparring, Isaiah 36:21 offers a profound counter-cultural lesson: the strategic power of silence. This verse challenges us to consider when our words might be counterproductive, playing into the hands of those who seek to provoke or demoralize. Hezekiah's wisdom teaches us that sometimes, the most potent response to provocation, slander, or baseless accusations is not a verbal defense, but a disciplined quietude that trusts God to vindicate and act. This silence is not passive resignation but an active, faith-filled posture, allowing us to maintain inner peace, avoid unnecessary conflict, and create space for God's intervention. It calls us to cultivate discernment, asking whether our words would truly build up, or merely escalate a situation. When we choose silence rooted in trust, we emulate Hezekiah, placing our confidence not in our ability to argue, but in the Lord's power to defend His truth and His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have I found that silence was a more powerful or effective response than words?**
* **What situations in my life or in the broader culture call for a "Hezekiah-like" strategic silence rather than an immediate verbal reaction?**
* **How does trusting God with my battles influence my decision to speak or remain silent in challenging circumstances?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate greater discernment to know when to speak and when to hold my peace?**

### FAQ
**Why did King Hezekiah command his people to remain silent in the face of the Rabshakeh's taunts?**

Answer: King Hezekiah's command for silence was a profoundly strategic and faith-filled decision. Firstly, it was a tactic to prevent further demoralization of the people. The Rabshakeh was speaking in Hebrew to directly undermine their trust in Hezekiah and Yahweh ([Isaiah 36:13-20](/isaiah/36-13 "Isaiah 36:13-20 - The Rabshakeh's Blasphemous Speech")). Any verbal engagement would have acknowledged the validity of the Rabshakeh's claims, potentially leading to fear, confusion, or even rebellion among the besieged populace. Secondly, Hezekiah understood that the Rabshakeh's goal was provocation and psychological warfare. By refusing to answer, Judah denied the Assyrians the satisfaction of a reaction and frustrated their attempts to control the narrative. Most importantly, Hezekiah's silence was an act of trust in God. He recognized that this was not merely a human conflict but a spiritual battle, and that God Himself would ultimately respond to the blasphemy against His name ([Isaiah 37:4](/isaiah/37-4 "Isaiah 37:4 - Hezekiah's Prayer Request")). This strategic silence allowed Hezekiah to turn to prayer and seek divine counsel, rather than engaging in a futile war of words.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 36:21, with its emphasis on strategic silence in the face of unjust accusation and blasphemy, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Just as Hezekiah's people held their peace, trusting in a greater power, so too did Jesus remain largely silent before His accusers during His trial. When confronted by Pilate and the chief priests, Jesus "answered him not a word" ([Matthew 27:12-14](/matthew/27-12 "Matthew 27:12-14 - Jesus' Silence Before Pilate"); [Mark 15:3-5](/mark/15-3 "Mark 15:3-5 - Jesus' Silence Before His Accusers")), fulfilling prophetic words like [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He Was Led Like a Lamb to the Slaughter"). His silence was not an admission of guilt, but a profound demonstration of His divine sovereignty and His willingness to submit to the Father's will for the sake of humanity's redemption. Unlike the Rabshakeh's taunts, which aimed to provoke a human response, the accusations against Jesus were met with a silence that spoke volumes, signifying His ultimate authority and the profound nature of His mission. The ultimate "answer" to the world's sin and the devil's accusations was not a debate, but the silent sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through His obedient silence and subsequent resurrection, Jesus secured a victory far greater than any verbal triumph, demonstrating that God's ultimate response to evil is not found in human arguments but in the decisive, redemptive act of His Son ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Jesus' Humiliation and Exaltation")). Thus, Hezekiah's command to "Answer him not" foreshadows the perfect, redemptive silence of Christ, through whom God Himself provided the ultimate answer to the taunts of sin and death.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 26:4

¶ Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Matthew 7:6

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Amos 5:13

Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it [is] an evil time.

Psalms 39:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [even] to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I 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.

2 Kings 18:37

Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which [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.

Proverbs 9:7

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.

Proverbs 9:8

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.