Isaiah 36:21
ESV
But they were silent and answered him not a word, for the king 's command was, "Do not answer him."
NIV
But the people remained silent and said nothing in reply, because the king had commanded, "Do not answer him."
NASB
But they were silent and did not answer him so much as a word; for the king’s command was, 'Do not answer him.'
CSB
But they kept silent; they didn’t say anything, for the king’s command was, "Don’t answer him."
NLT
But the people were silent and did not utter a word because Hezekiah had commanded them, 'Do not answer him.'
KJV
But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
NKJV
But they held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”
What does Isaiah 36:21 mean?
Sennacherib, King of Assyria, has brought most of his massive army to camp near Jerusalem. His messenger, called the Rabshakeh (Isaiah 36:1–3) has made a chilling speech to the people of the city (Isaiah 36:11–20) claiming that there is no hope. No god has stopped Assyria's rampage, and neither have the deities of Israel and Judah. With bold sarcasm and a series of mocking pointed questions, the Rabshakeh has attempted to strip away any hope of rescue even by the Lord God of Israel.Fortunately, both the delegation from Judah and everyone on the city walls had already been commanded not to respond. Even though Hezekiah's emissaries are greatly distressed (Isaiah 36:22), they apparently make no effort to respond. This is a wise choice. First, nothing they would say could change the minds of the Assyrian invaders. Second, nothing they could say would change what God intended to do.
