Isaiah 43:8

8 Bring forth the people that are blind, and have eyes: that are deaf, and have ears.

Isaiah 43:8 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 43:8

Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that
have ears
The Targum applies this to the bringing of the people of Israel out of Egypt; and others understand it of their deliverance from the Babylonish captivity; and some of the exclusion of them from the kingdom of heaven, and casting them into outward darkness, according to ( Matthew 8:12 ) , but it is rather to be understood of the conviction of them; though better of the Gentiles, and of the enlightening of them, who before were blind; and causing them to hear, who before were deaf to spiritual things, agreeably to what goes before. It seems best to consider the words as a summons to the Heathens uncalled, to the Roman Pagan empire, to come forth and appear, who were as blind and deaf as the idols they worshipped, and plead their cause, agreeably to what follows.

Isaiah 43:8 In-Context

6 I will say to the north: Give up: and to the south: Keep not back: bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.
7 And every one that calleth upon my name, I have created him for my glory. I have formed him, and made him.
8 Bring forth the people that are blind, and have eyes: that are deaf, and have ears.
9 All the nations are assembled together, and the tribes are gathered: who among you can declare this, and shall make us hear the former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, let them be justified, and hear, and say: It is truth.
10 You are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that you may know, and believe me, and understand that I myself am. Before me there was no God formed, and after me there shall be none.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.