But they were silent and answered him not a word: But renders the common Hebrew conjunction, which is literally “And.” Here it expresses contrast since we would expect some kind of verbal response to the Assyrian ambassador. New Jerusalem Bible uses “however.” The pronoun they may refer to the people of Jerusalem standing on the wall (so Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), but it more likely points to Hezekiah’s officials (so Contemporary English Version). Since there is a major shift in scene here, it may be helpful to clarify who is in view here by saying “Hezekiah’s officials.” Were silent is parallel to answered him not a word. The combination of these positive and negative expressions emphasizes the refusal of the three officials to respond to the arrogant challenge made by the Assyrian king through his ambassador.

For the king’s command was, “Do not answer him”: The connector for introduces the reason for their silence. Earlier, Hezekiah had ordered them not to answer the Assyrian ambassador. With the shift in scene here, it may also be helpful to render the king as “King Hezekiah” (so Good News Translation). Hebrew uses a direct quote for the king’s command. Some languages may prefer indirect speech, as in Good News Translation (see also the second example below).

Several examples for this verse are:

• However, the officials of Judah remained silent, saying nothing, because King Hezekiah’s command was “Do not answer him.”

• But King Hezekiah’s officials kept quiet and did not say a word since he had told them not to answer.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .