Isaiah 42:18

Israel Blind and Deaf

18 “Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see!

Isaiah 42:18 in Other Translations

KJV
18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
ESV
18 Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see!
NLT
18 “Listen, you who are deaf! Look and see, you blind!
MSG
18 Pay attention! Are you deaf? Open your eyes! Are you blind?
CSB
18 "Listen, you deaf! Look, you blind, so that you may see.

Isaiah 42:18 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 42:18

Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
] Jarchi and Kimchi think these words are spoken to Israel, who, as Aben Ezra says, were deaf and blind in heart; but they are rather an exhortation to the Gentiles that remained impenitent and unbelieving, and who were deaf to the voice of the Gospel, and blind as to the knowledge of it; and the purport of the exhortation is, that they would make use of their external hearing and sight, which they had, that they might attain to a spiritual hearing and understanding of divine things; "for faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God", ( Romans 10:17 ) to hear the Gospel preached, and to look into the Scriptures, and read the word of God, are the means of attaining light and knowledge in spiritual things; and these are within the compass of natural men, who are internally deaf and blind.

Isaiah 42:18 In-Context

16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
17 But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.
18 “Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see!
19 Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one in covenant with me, blind like the servant of the LORD?
20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.”

Cross References 1

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