2 Kings 18:36
◄  2 Kings 18:36  ►
New International Version (©2011)
But the people remained silent and said nothing in reply, because the king had commanded, "Do not answer him."

New Living Translation (©2007)
But the people were silent and did not utter a word because Hezekiah had commanded them, "Do not answer him."

English Standard Version (©2001)
But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s command was, “Do not answer him.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king's commandment was, "Do not answer him."

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
But the people kept silent; they didn't say anything, for the king's command was, "Don't answer him."

International Standard Version (©2012)
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."

NET Bible (©2006)
The people were silent and did not respond, for the king had ordered, "Don't respond to him."

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
But the people were silent and didn't say anything to him because the king commanded them not to answer him.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, Answer him not.

American King James Version
But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

American Standard Version
But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word; for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Darby Bible Translation
But the people were silent and answered him not a word; for the king's command was, saying, Answer him not.

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

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

World English Bible
But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word; for the king's commandment was, "Don't answer him."

Young's Literal Translation
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.'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

18:17-37 Rabshakeh tries to convince the Jews, that it was to no purpose for them to stand it out. What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? It were well if sinners would submit to the force of this argument, in seeking peace with God. It is, therefore, our wisdom to yield to him, because it is in vain to contend with him: what confidence is that which those trust in who stand out against him? A great deal of art there is in this speech of Rabshakeh; but a great deal of pride, malice, falsehood, and blasphemy. Hezekiah's nobles held their peace. There is a time to keep silence, as well as a time to speak; and there are those to whom to offer any thing religious or rational, is to cast pearls before swine. Their silence made Rabshakeh yet more proud and secure. It is often best to leave such persons to rail and blaspheme; a decided expression of abhorrence is the best testimony against them. The matter must be left to the Lord, who has all hearts in his hands, committing ourselves unto him in humble submission, believing hope, and fervent prayer.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 36. - But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word. 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. For the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not. 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.

2 Kings 18:36 Parallel Commentaries

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Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
…35Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand? 36But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not. 37Then 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.

2 Kings 18:35 Who of all the gods of these countries has been able to save his land from me? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?"
2 Kings 18:37 Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder went to Hezekiah, with their clothes torn, and told him what the field commander had said.