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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 18:36 But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, "Do not answer him."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/18-36.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/12_2Ki_18_36.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 18:36 - Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, Do not answer him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the people were silent and did not answer him <i>with even</i> a word, because it was the king’s command: “Do not answer him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king&#8217s commandment was, &#8220Do not answer him.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But the people kept silent and did not answer him, for the king had commanded, “Do not answer him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the people kept silent; they did not answer him at all, for the king’s command was, “Don’t answer him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the people kept silent; they didn&#8217t say anything, for the king&#8217s command was, &#8220Don&#8217t answer him.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word; for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But the people were silent and didn't say anything to him because the king commanded them not to answer him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The people kept quiet, just as King Hezekiah had told them to; they did not say a word. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But the people remained silent and did not answer with even so much as a word, because the king's order was, "Don't answer him."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, ?Do not answer him.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The people were silent and did not respond, for the king had ordered, "Don't respond to him." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word; for the king's commandment was, "Do not answer him."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But the people stayed quiet, and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the people have kept silent, and have not answered him a word, for the command of the king is, saying, “Do not answer him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the people have kept silent, and have not answered him a word, for the command of the king is, saying, 'Do not answer him.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the people were silent and answered him not a word: for it was the command of the king, saying, Ye shall not answer.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for they had received commandment from the king that they should not answer him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But the people were silent, and they did not respond at all to him. For indeed, they had received an instruction from the king that they should not respond to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But the people remained silent and did not answer at all, for the king’s command was, “Do not answer him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s command was, “Do not answer him.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word; for the king had commanded, saying, Do not answer him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the people kept silent and they did not give him an answer, because the King commanded and said: “Do not give him an answer!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word; for the king's commandment was, saying: 'Answer him not.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But <i>the men</i> were silent, and answered him not a word: for <i>there was</i> a commandment of the king, saying, Ye shall not answer him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/18-36.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=6591" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/18.htm">Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">35</span>Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?” <span class="reftext">36</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">But the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/2790.htm" title="2790: wə·he·ḥĕ·rî·šū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To cut in, engrave, plow, devise.">remained silent</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ‘ā·nū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To answer, respond.">answer</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: dā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">a word,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">Hezekiah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4687.htm" title="4687: miṣ·waṯ (N-fsc) -- Commandment. From tsavah; a command, whether human or divine.">had commanded,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ṯa·‘ă·nu·hū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp:: 3ms) -- To answer, respond.">answer him.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">37</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/36-21.htm">Isaiah 36:21</a></span><br />But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, “Do not answer him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-1.htm">2 Kings 19:1-2</a></span><br />On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. / And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-1.htm">Isaiah 37:1-2</a></span><br />On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. / And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-20.htm">2 Chronicles 32:20</a></span><br />In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to heaven in prayer,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-6.htm">2 Kings 19:6-7</a></span><br />who replied, “Tell your master that this is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid of the words you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. / Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-6.htm">Isaiah 37:6-7</a></span><br />who replied, “Tell your master that this is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid of the words you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. / Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-14.htm">2 Kings 19:14-19</a></span><br />So Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. / And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. / Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-14.htm">Isaiah 37:14-20</a></span><br />So Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. / And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: / “O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-32.htm">2 Kings 19:32-34</a></span><br />So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. / He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city, declares the LORD. / I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-33.htm">Isaiah 37:33-35</a></span><br />So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. / He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city,’ declares the LORD. / ‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-7.htm">2 Chronicles 32:7-8</a></span><br />“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him. / With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-35.htm">2 Kings 19:35-37</a></span><br />And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. / One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-36.htm">Isaiah 37:36-38</a></span><br />Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. / One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-39.htm">Matthew 5:39</a></span><br />But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19-21</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.</p><p class="hdg">held their peace.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/38-13.htm">Psalm 38:13,14</a></b></br> But I, as a deaf <i>man</i>, heard not; and <i>I was</i> as a dumb man <i>that</i> openeth not his mouth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">Psalm 39:1</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, <i>even</i> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/9-7.htm">Proverbs 9:7</a></b></br> He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked <i>man getteth</i> himself a blot.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/17-37.htm">Command</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-12.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-37.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-6.htm">Held</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-35.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-29.htm">King's</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-12.htm">Order</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-31.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-20.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-3.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-28.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/23-35.htm">Command</a> <a href="/2_kings/21-8.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-35.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-22.htm">Held</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-11.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-11.htm">King's</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-1.htm">Order</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-19.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-40.htm">Quiet</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Silent</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-21.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-1.htm">Hezekiah's good reign</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">He destroys idolatry, and prospers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-9.htm">The inhabitants of Samaria are carried captive for their sins</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-13.htm">Sennacherib invading Judah, is pacified by a tribute</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/18-17.htm">Rabshakeh, by blasphemous persuasions, solicits the people to revolt</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But the people remained silent</b><br>In the context of <a href="/2_kings/18.htm">2 Kings 18</a>, the Assyrian field commander, or Rabshakeh, was attempting to demoralize the people of Jerusalem by speaking directly to them in Hebrew. The silence of the people reflects obedience to King Hezekiah's command and a strategic choice to not engage with the enemy's psychological warfare. This silence can be seen as an act of faith and trust in their leadership and ultimately in God, contrasting with the fear and panic that the Assyrians intended to incite.<p><b>and did not answer a word</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the complete obedience of the people to Hezekiah's directive. It also highlights the wisdom in not engaging with the enemy's provocations, which could lead to further fear and confusion. The restraint shown by the people can be compared to other biblical instances where silence is used as a form of resistance or trust in God, such as Jesus' silence before His accusers (<a href="/matthew/27-12.htm">Matthew 27:12-14</a>).<p><b>for Hezekiah had commanded</b><br>King Hezekiah's leadership is central in this narrative. Known for his faithfulness to God, Hezekiah's command reflects his reliance on divine guidance rather than human wisdom. His decision to instruct the people not to respond to the Assyrian threats demonstrates his understanding of the power of words and the importance of maintaining faith and unity among the people. Hezekiah's leadership is often seen as a type of Christ, who also leads His people with wisdom and calls for trust in God's plan.<p><b>“Do not answer him.”</b><br>This command underscores the importance of discernment in spiritual battles. By instructing the people not to answer, Hezekiah prevents the Assyrians from sowing doubt and fear. This directive can be seen as a call to focus on God's promises rather than the enemy's threats. It also reflects a broader biblical principle of choosing when to speak and when to remain silent, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/26-4.htm">Proverbs 26:4-5</a>, which advises on the wisdom of responding to folly.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/hezekiah.htm">Hezekiah</a></b><br>The King of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God and reforms to restore proper worship in Judah. Hezekiah's leadership is central to this passage as he instructs the people not to respond to the Assyrian threats.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_judah.htm">The People of Judah</a></b><br>The inhabitants of Judah who are under the leadership of King Hezekiah. Their silence in this passage reflects obedience and trust in their king's command.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/rabshakeh.htm">Rabshakeh</a></b><br>The Assyrian field commander who delivers a message of intimidation and blasphemy against the God of Israel, attempting to demoralize the people of Judah.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The capital city of Judah, which is under siege by the Assyrian army. The events take place during a time of great threat to the city.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/assyrian_siege.htm">Assyrian Siege</a></b><br>The military campaign led by the Assyrian Empire against Judah, aiming to conquer Jerusalem and expand their territory.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_godly_leadership.htm">Obedience to Godly Leadership</a></b><br>Hezekiah's command to remain silent demonstrates the importance of following godly leadership, especially in times of crisis. Trusting in leaders who seek God's guidance can lead to divine intervention and protection.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_silence.htm">The Power of Silence</a></b><br>Silence can be a powerful response to intimidation and blasphemy. By not engaging with the enemy's provocations, the people of Judah showed restraint and faith, allowing God to be their defender.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_deliverance.htm">Trust in God's Deliverance</a></b><br>The situation in <a href="/2_kings/18-36.htm">2 Kings 18:36</a> reminds believers to trust in God's ability to deliver them from seemingly insurmountable challenges. Hezekiah's faith in God serves as a model for relying on divine strength rather than human might.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The passage highlights the reality of spiritual warfare, where the enemy seeks to instill fear and doubt. Believers are called to stand firm in faith, using spiritual discernment to know when to speak and when to remain silent.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_2_chr_35_18_ignore_hezekiah's_passover.htm">In 2 Chronicles 35:18, why does the text claim no Passover like Josiah's had been celebrated 'since the days of Samuel,' seemingly ignoring the grand Passover of Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 30?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_cyrus's_decree_conflict_historically.htm">Why does the decree of Cyrus in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 appear to conflict with other historical records about Persian policies toward conquered peoples?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_2_chronicles_29_36_a_historical_anomaly.htm">2 Chronicles 29:36 - Could the sudden and unanimous repentance of an entire nation be considered a historical inconsistency when compared to other Biblical accounts of gradual change?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_rabshakeh_speak_hebrew.htm">2 Kings 18:17 - Why would Rabshakeh speak in Hebrew if he didn't want Judah's people to hear his threats?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 36.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word.</span> All Rabshakeh's efforts to produce open disaffection failed. Whatever impression his arguments may have made, no indication was given that they had produced any. If, then, he had hoped to bring about a mutiny, or even to create a disturbance, he was disappointed. <span class="cmt_word">For the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.</span> Hezekiah had either anticipated Rabshakeh's tactics, and given an order beforehand that no word should be uttered, or he had promptly met them by sending such an order, on learning Rabshakeh's proceedings, The latter is more probable, since such an outrageous course as that which Rabshakeh had pursued can scarcely have been expected. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/18-36.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But the people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">remained silent</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהֶחֱרִ֣ישׁוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·he·ḥĕ·rî·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2790.htm">Strong's 2790: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut in, engrave, plow, devise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and did not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">answer</span><br /><span class="heb">עָנ֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a word,</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּבָ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Hezekiah]</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had commanded,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְוַ֨ת</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·waṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4687.htm">Strong's 4687: </a> </span><span class="str2">Commandment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">answer him.”</span><br /><span class="heb">תַעֲנֻֽהוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·‘ă·nu·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/18-36.htm">2 Kings 18:36 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/18-36.htm">2 Kings 18:36 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/18-36.htm">2 Kings 18:36 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/18-36.htm">2 Kings 18:36 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/18-36.htm">2 Kings 18:36 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/18-36.htm">2 Kings 18:36 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/18-36.htm">2 Kings 18:36 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/18-36.htm">2 Kings 18:36 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/18-36.htm">2 Kings 18:36 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/18-36.htm">2 Kings 18:36 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/18-36.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 18:36 But the people held their peace (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/18-35.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 18:35"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 18:35" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/18-37.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 18:37"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 18:37" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>