Isaiah 43:8 kjv
Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.
Isaiah 43:8 nkjv
Bring out the blind people who have eyes, And the deaf who have ears.
Isaiah 43:8 niv
Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.
Isaiah 43:8 esv
Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!
Isaiah 43:8 nlt
Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
Isaiah 43 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 43:8 | Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. | God's sovereignty, Calling |
| Genesis 1:27 | So God created man in his own image... | God's creation, Mankind's origin |
| Deuteronomy 32:1 | Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. | God's revelation to Israel |
| 1 Samuel 2:2 | There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. | God's unique holiness |
| Psalm 89:8 | O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy | God's incomparable power |
| Psalm 96:10 | Say among the nations that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established... | God's universal reign |
| Jeremiah 2:11 | Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. | Israel's idolatry contrast |
| Jeremiah 10:6 | Forasmuch as there is none like thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. | God's incomparability |
| Jeremiah 32:17 | Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm; there is none too hard for thee: | God's omnipotence |
| John 1:9 | That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. | Jesus as Light |
| John 6:44 | No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. | God's drawing power |
| John 9:39 | And Jesus said, For judgment am I come into this world, that they which see might be blind; and that they which see might be blind. | Spiritual blindness |
| Acts 14:15 | And say, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God... | Turning from idols |
| Romans 2:14 | For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: | Natural law, Gentiles’ awareness |
| Romans 3:23 | For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; | Universal sin |
| Romans 11:34 | For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? | God's inscrutable mind |
| 1 Corinthians 1:18 | For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. | The power of the Gospel |
| 1 Corinthians 8:4 | ...we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. | Idolatry's futility |
| Revelation 7:9 | After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne... | Universal redemption |
| Revelation 21:4 | And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. | Future restoration |
| John 4:24 | God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. | True worship |
Isaiah 43 verses
Isaiah 43 8 Meaning
This verse is a powerful declaration from God to Israel, emphasizing His unique identity and past faithfulness as the basis for His future actions of redemption. It highlights God's exclusive role in selecting a people, initiating their covenant, and empowering them through their journey. The focus is on God's sovereign choice and His consistent commitment to His people, even when they seemed unlikely witnesses.
Isaiah 43 8 Context
This verse appears in Isaiah chapter 43, which is a pivotal section focusing on God's comfort and restoration of Israel, particularly after their exile. The preceding verses (Isaiah 43:1-7) depict God's intimate knowledge of Israel, His redemption of them, and His assurance of their security as His own people, purchased with His presence and care. The prophecy speaks to a time when Israel would be scattered and seemingly without strength or sight, yet God promises to gather them and bring them back. This chapter sets the stage for God's mighty acts of deliverance, which resonate through biblical history and point towards a future, ultimate redemption.
Isaiah 43 8 Word analysis
"Bring forth" (Hebrew: yatsa'): Means to bring out, to lead out, to cause to go forth. It signifies God's active role in leading His people.
"the blind people" (Hebrew: ha'ivvim): Refers to those who lack spiritual understanding or perception. It speaks to Israel's inability to see God's hand or comprehend His ways, both due to external circumstances and internal spiritual dullness. This spiritual blindness is a recurring theme.
"that have eyes" (Hebrew: le'eynayim): Literally "to their eyes." This is a paradoxical phrase. Though they possess the physical capacity to see, their spiritual sight is impaired. They have the potential for vision, but lack discernment.
"and the deaf" (Hebrew: ha'cheresh): Refers to those who cannot hear or understand spiritual truths. Similar to blindness, this signifies a lack of receptivity to God's word and commands.
"that have ears" (Hebrew: le'oznayim): Literally "to their ears." Like the "eyes" phrase, this highlights the paradox: they have the physical faculty to hear but lack spiritual comprehension or obedience.
word-group: "blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears": This combination points to a state of spiritual incapacity within the people. They are outwardly capable but inwardly unresponsive to God. It implies a failure to perceive and heed, even when presented with the means to do so. It emphasizes a deep-seated spiritual dysfunction that only God can rectify. This idiom might also refer to those who, though possessing the law or the prophets, still fail to understand or obey.
Isaiah 43 8 Bonus section
The "blind" and "deaf" can be understood as representing both physical captivity (exile where they might feel forsaken and unable to see their way out) and a spiritual apathy or inability to discern God's continued presence and promises. The text uses vivid imagery to communicate the depth of their plight, yet the overriding message is one of God's potent and unparalleled ability to revive and redeem. This imagery is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus' ministry, where He healed the blind and the deaf, but also more profoundly, gave spiritual sight and hearing to those spiritually incapable of receiving God's truth. It sets up God as the ultimate revealer, the one who grants the very ability to perceive Him.
Isaiah 43 8 Commentary
This verse is a striking portrayal of God's sovereign intervention in restoring His people who, in their spiritual state, are described as blind though possessing eyes and deaf though possessing ears. God declares His intention to bring them forth from their predicament. This is not a call to humans to magically gain sight or hearing, but God's active initiation of bringing them out of their incapacitated state. It reflects God's ability to work with people in their brokenness. The reference to "blind but have eyes" and "deaf but have ears" highlights a spiritual dimness or inattention rather than an absolute physical absence of senses. God, who created sight and hearing, can also open the spiritual understanding. He is about to show His power by enabling these very people, in their unseeing and unhearing condition, to become witnesses to His saving power.
- Practical Usage: We are reminded that God often calls and uses those who feel inadequate or spiritually lacking. Our spiritual dullness does not preclude God's calling. It underscores the necessity of God's Spirit to open our spiritual senses, allowing us to truly see and hear His truth, and to be His witnesses even in our perceived limitations.