Isaiah 6:10
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Original Language Analysis
הַשְׁמֵן֙
fat
H8080
הַשְׁמֵן֙
fat
Strong's:
H8080
Word #:
1 of 18
to shine, i.e., (by analogy) be (causatively, make) oily or gross
לֵב
Make the heart
H3820
לֵב
Make the heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
2 of 18
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
הָעָ֣ם
of this people
H5971
הָעָ֣ם
of this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
וּבְאָזְנָ֣יו
and make their ears
H241
וּבְאָזְנָ֣יו
and make their ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
5 of 18
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
הַכְבֵּ֖ד
heavy
H3513
הַכְבֵּ֖ד
heavy
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
6 of 18
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
בְעֵינָ֜יו
their eyes
H5869
בְעֵינָ֜יו
their eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
7 of 18
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
הָשַׁ֑ע
and shut
H8173
הָשַׁ֑ע
and shut
Strong's:
H8173
Word #:
8 of 18
(in a good acceptation) to look upon (with complacency), i.e., fondle, please or amuse (self); (in a bad one) to look about (in dismay), i.e., stare
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יִרְאֶ֨ה
lest they see
H7200
יִרְאֶ֨ה
lest they see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
10 of 18
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
בְעֵינָ֜יו
their eyes
H5869
בְעֵינָ֜יו
their eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
11 of 18
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וּבְאָזְנָ֣יו
and make their ears
H241
וּבְאָזְנָ֣יו
and make their ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
12 of 18
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
יִשְׁמָ֗ע
and hear
H8085
יִשְׁמָ֗ע
and hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
13 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יָבִ֛ין
and understand
H995
יָבִ֛ין
and understand
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
15 of 18
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
וָשָׁ֖ב
and convert
H7725
וָשָׁ֖ב
and convert
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
16 of 18
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Cross References
Matthew 13:15For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.Acts 28:27For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.Jeremiah 5:21Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:Jeremiah 6:10To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.Zechariah 7:11But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.Isaiah 29:10For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.Isaiah 63:17O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.Deuteronomy 2:30But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.Psalms 17:10They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.Deuteronomy 32:15But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Historical Context
This principle operates throughout redemptive history. Pharaoh's heart was hardened (Exodus 4-14), and Romans 1:24-28 describes God 'giving over' persistent rebels to their choices. Judgment sometimes means letting people have what they want.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond to the tension between divine sovereignty in hardening and human responsibility?
- What does it mean that the gospel is 'a fragrance of death to death' for some (2 Corinthians 2:16)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The divine purpose intensifies: 'Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes.' This judicial hardening means God actively confirms people in their rebellion. The grammar indicates both divine sovereignty and human responsibility—they could perceive, but won't. The purpose clause explains why: 'lest they see...understand...convert, and be healed.' God prevents false conversion without true repentance.