Isaiah 32:3
And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשְׁעֶ֖ינָה
shall not be dim
H8159
תִשְׁעֶ֖ינָה
shall not be dim
Strong's:
H8159
Word #:
2 of 7
to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewil
עֵינֵ֣י
And the eyes
H5869
עֵינֵ֣י
And the eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 7
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
רֹאִ֑ים
of them that see
H7200
רֹאִ֑ים
of them that see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 7
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְאָזְנֵ֥י
and the ears
H241
וְאָזְנֵ֥י
and the ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
5 of 7
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
Cross References
Isaiah 29:18And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.Isaiah 29:24They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.Isaiah 54:13And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.Mark 7:37And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
Historical Context
Throughout Israel's history, prophets lamented spiritual blindness and deafness. By Jesus's day, this reached crisis—religious leaders examined Jesus yet concluded He was demon-possessed (John 8:48). But at Pentecost, eyes opened, ears unstoppped—3,000 believed Peter's sermon (Acts 2:41). The new covenant promise: 'I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts' (Jeremiah 31:33)—internal transformation enabling spiritual perception.
Questions for Reflection
- How does spiritual sight differ from physical sight or intellectual knowledge?
- When did your own 'eyes' open to see Christ—what caused the shift from blindness to sight?
- How can you pray for those whose eyes are currently 'dim' to spiritual realities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim (וְלֹא תִשְׁעֶינָה עֵינֵי רֹאִים, velo tish'eynah eyney ro'im)—the עֵינַיִם (eynayim, eyes) of רֹאִים (ro'im, those who see) won't be שָׁעָה (sha'ah, dim, blinded). And the ears of them that hear shall hearken (וְאָזְנֵי שֹׁמְעִים תִּקְשַׁבְנָה, ve'ozney shome'im tiqshavenah)—the אָזְנַיִם (oznayim, ears) of שֹׁמְעִים (shome'im, those who hear) will קָשַׁב (qashav, listen attentively, give heed).
This reverses the judicial blindness of Isaiah 29:9-10 where God poured out 'the spirit of deep sleep' and closed eyes. Under Messiah's reign, spiritual sight and hearing are restored. Those capable of seeing will see clearly; those able to hear will listen attentively. This isn't universal salvation (all seeing) but removal of judicial hardening for the elect. Jesus explained His parables both conceal truth from hard hearts and reveal it to those with ears to hear (Matthew 13:10-17, quoting Isaiah 6:9-10). The Spirit opens eyes and unstops ears (2 Corinthians 4:6, Acts 16:14).