Isaiah 42:18
Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
Original Language Analysis
שְׁמָ֑עוּ
Hear
H8085
שְׁמָ֑עוּ
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 5
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
Cross References
Isaiah 43:8Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.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.Isaiah 35:5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.Proverbs 20:12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
Historical Context
This addresses Israel's spiritual condition—though given the Law and prophets, they remained deaf and blind until God opened their understanding. It anticipates the Spirit's illuminating work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing your spiritual deafness and blindness drive you to cry for God's opening?
- What truths have you heard but not truly heard until God opened your ears?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God commands the deaf to hear and blind to look—a paradoxical call to those incapable without divine intervention. This emphasizes that only God can open deaf ears and blind eyes. The imperatives demand response while acknowledging dependence on God's enabling grace.