But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
Judah's representatives kept silent in the face of Rabshakeh's taunts because King Hezekiah had commanded them to answer him not a word. The people of Judah therefore gave no answer to the taunting, and the exchange ended without reply. After holding their peace, the representatives returned to Hezekiah and reported what Rabshakeh had said. They came back to him with their clothes torn.
Judah's representatives kept silent in the face of Rabshakeh's taunts because King Hezekiah had commanded them to answer him not a word. The people of Judah therefore gave no answer to the taunting, and the exchange ended without reply. After holding their peace, the representatives returned to Hezekiah and reported what Rabshakeh had said. They came back to him with their clothes torn.