Isaiah 36:21 - But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply, for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”
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What does "Isaiah 36:21" mean?
Isaiah 36:21 describes a scene where representatives of the Assyrian king Sennacherib are attempting to intimidate the people of Judah into surrendering. The verse specifically states:
"But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply, for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”"
Here's what the verse means in context:
"But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply..." This refers to the representatives of King Hezekiah of Judah. They heard the Assyrian official, the Rabshakeh, delivering a boastful and threatening speech, designed to demoralize the people.
"...for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”" This is the key to understanding their silence. King Hezekiah had ordered his officials not to respond to the Rabshakeh's provocations.
The significance of this order lies in a few factors:
Strategic Silence: Responding to the Rabshakeh would give him credibility and draw the Judean representatives into a debate they couldn't win. The Rabshakeh was a skilled propagandist. Staying silent prevented him from gaining more ground.
Maintaining Calm: The Rabshakeh's goal was to spread fear and panic among the people of Jerusalem. Responding could amplify his message and further unsettle the population. Remaining silent aimed to maintain a sense of order and control.
Focusing on Hezekiah's Leadership: By ordering silence, Hezekiah asserted his authority. The people were to look to him for guidance and trust his decisions, rather than being swayed by the words of the enemy.
Hope in Divine Intervention: Underlying all this was Hezekiah's trust in God. By not responding, he was, in a way, relying on God to defend Judah rather than depending on human arguments or military strength.
In essence, the verse reveals a strategic decision by King Hezekiah to avoid engaging with the Assyrian propaganda and maintain control of the situation, while ultimately placing his trust in God's protection. The silence wasn't a sign of weakness, but a calculated move of defiance and faith.
Isaiah 36:21 - But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply, for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”
What does "Isaiah 36:21" mean?
Isaiah 36:21 describes a scene where representatives of the Assyrian king Sennacherib are attempting to intimidate the people of Judah into surrendering. The verse specifically states:
"But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply, for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”"
Here's what the verse means in context:
"But they remained silent, and said nothing in reply..." This refers to the representatives of King Hezekiah of Judah. They heard the Assyrian official, the Rabshakeh, delivering a boastful and threatening speech, designed to demoralize the people.
"...for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”" This is the key to understanding their silence. King Hezekiah had ordered his officials not to respond to the Rabshakeh's provocations.
The significance of this order lies in a few factors:
Strategic Silence: Responding to the Rabshakeh would give him credibility and draw the Judean representatives into a debate they couldn't win. The Rabshakeh was a skilled propagandist. Staying silent prevented him from gaining more ground.
Maintaining Calm: The Rabshakeh's goal was to spread fear and panic among the people of Jerusalem. Responding could amplify his message and further unsettle the population. Remaining silent aimed to maintain a sense of order and control.
Focusing on Hezekiah's Leadership: By ordering silence, Hezekiah asserted his authority. The people were to look to him for guidance and trust his decisions, rather than being swayed by the words of the enemy.
Hope in Divine Intervention: Underlying all this was Hezekiah's trust in God. By not responding, he was, in a way, relying on God to defend Judah rather than depending on human arguments or military strength.
In essence, the verse reveals a strategic decision by King Hezekiah to avoid engaging with the Assyrian propaganda and maintain control of the situation, while ultimately placing his trust in God's protection. The silence wasn't a sign of weakness, but a calculated move of defiance and faith.