Isaiah 59 10

Isaiah 59:10 kjv

We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.

Isaiah 59:10 nkjv

We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places.

Isaiah 59:10 niv

Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead.

Isaiah 59:10 esv

We grope for the wall like the blind; we grope like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight, among those in full vigor we are like dead men.

Isaiah 59:10 nlt

We grope like the blind along a wall,
feeling our way like people without eyes.
Even at brightest noontime,
we stumble as though it were dark.
Among the living,
we are like the dead.

Isaiah 59 verses

Isaiah 59 10 Meaning

Isaiah 59:10 vividly portrays the severe consequences of sin for the people of Israel. It describes a profound spiritual blindness, confusion, and a state of lifelessness experienced even amidst clear divine revelation and a seemingly functional society. The verse is a communal lament, articulating the people's inability to find truth, justice, or clear direction, feeling disoriented and powerless as if sightless in broad daylight, or dead among the living, due to their iniquities.

Isaiah 59 10 Context

Isaiah chapter 59 serves as a stark communal confession of sin following God's clear indictment of Israel. The preceding verses (59:1-2) establish that God's power to save and hear is undiminished, but it is the people's iniquities that have created an insurmountable barrier between them and their Creator. Verses 3-8 detail their widespread social injustice, violence, and deceit, showing that sin has permeated every aspect of their society and personal lives, making their paths crooked and devoid of peace. Verse 9 then acts as a direct link, explaining the result of these sins: justice is far from them, righteousness is unattainable, and instead of light and brightness, they experience darkness and gloom. Isaiah 59:10 continues this lament, deeply illustrating the existential and spiritual state brought about by such widespread unrighteousness, demonstrating how this darkness manifests in their daily experience and perception. Historically, this prophecy likely speaks to a period of moral decay and social corruption in Judah, prior to and during the exilic period, where spiritual discernment had been severely dulled.

Isaiah 59 10 Word analysis

• We grope (נְגַשֵּׁ֥שׁ - nagašeš): This verb means to "feel one's way," to "fumble about." It implies extreme uncertainty and helplessness, characteristic of someone visually impaired navigating an unfamiliar space. The communal "we" signifies the shared culpability and experience of the people.

• for the wall (קִ֖יר - qir): The wall here is something one might touch to find direction or support. The act of groping for it implies they are lost, without a clear path, seeking any tangible guide, but failing to find security or correct direction.

• like the blind (כָּעִוְּרִ֑ים - ka-ivverim): This is a simile directly equating their actions with physical blindness. It immediately introduces the theme of impaired perception and lack of sight. Biblically, blindness often metaphorically represents spiritual ignorance or an inability to comprehend divine truth (Isa 6:9-10).

• we grope like those who have no eyes: This repetition emphasizes the profound and complete lack of vision. It's not just a momentary blindness, but a condition akin to being born without eyes, implying a total absence of natural means for sight and discernment.

• we stumble (כָּשַׁ֣לְנוּ - kashalnu): To trip, falter, or fall. This signifies lack of stability, direction, and secure footing. It's a direct consequence of their blindness and confusion, highlighting their inability to walk uprightly or maintain a steady course.

• at noon day (בַּצָּֽהֳרַ֗יִם - batz-tzohohraim): Midday is the brightest time, when visibility is at its maximum. Stumbling then signifies an extraordinary depth of confusion and spiritual perversity. It implies that even with abundant light and clear divine revelation (God's law, prophets), they fail to see or understand.

• as in the twilight (כַּנֶּ֚שֶׁף - kannashef): This simile contrasts their noonday experience with natural twilight or dusk, a time of fading light. It highlights the unnaturalness of their blindness; they are experiencing profound darkness in the midst of light, a situation worse than mere twilight.

• among the lively (בָּאַשְׁמַנִּ֖ים - ba-ashmannim): This word (ashmannim) can be interpreted in a few ways: "among the hale" or "strong," "prosperous," or "those full of life." The ESV "among the lively" fits the context of being active or thriving physically and socially. It sets up a strong contrast with the next phrase.

• we are like dead men (כַּמֵּתִֽים - kammethim): Despite being surrounded by life, vigor, or prosperity, they perceive themselves as spiritually inert, powerless, or without true vitality. This describes a state of spiritual lifelessness or estrangement from God, akin to walking corpses, devoid of divine grace or purpose.

• We grope... we grope: This literary device of repetition amplifies the sense of futility and deep-seated confusion, stressing that their inability to perceive truth is comprehensive.

• stumble at noon day as in the twilight: This juxtaposition of the brightest time of day with the reduced visibility of twilight creates a powerful paradox. It conveys that their spiritual darkness is so profound that even God's clear revelation and presence cannot penetrate it, an indictment of their willful rejection.

• among the lively, we are like dead men: This phrase forms an antinomy, presenting the striking contradiction of their internal spiritual condition versus their external physical/social context. It indicates a spiritual death that exists even while physically alive and among those who are thriving.

Isaiah 59 10 Bonus section

• The lament "we grope...we stumble..." signifies an corporate repentance and admission of guilt, characteristic of genuine prophetic intercession for the nation (e.g., Neh 9, Dan 9). The prophet includes himself in the confession, showing solidarity and shared responsibility for the nation's spiritual state.
• The progression from physical metaphors (groping like the blind, stumbling) to the profound spiritual metaphor of being "like dead men" highlights the severity of sin's impact, culminating in spiritual alienation and an existential crisis for the community.
• The paradox of "stumbling at noon day as in the twilight" is often seen as more grievous than merely being in darkness. It underscores a state where truth is obscured not by its absence, but by internal resistance, a failure of perception even when light is abundantly present. This resonates with the New Testament theme that people prefer darkness over light when their deeds are evil (Jn 3:19).

Isaiah 59 10 Commentary

Isaiah 59:10 is a potent picture of humanity's plight when separated from God by sin. It’s a collective cry, embodying a profound spiritual and moral deterioration. The imagery of groping and stumbling reveals a lack of discernment and direction, not because of an absence of light, but a refusal to perceive it. To stumble at noon signifies a tragic irony: possessing divine revelation, yet utterly lost. This isn't just ignorance, but willful spiritual blindness and a chosen state of darkness. The consequence is a profound disconnection from true life, manifesting as a kind of spiritual death, even amidst earthly vitality. The passage emphasizes that unchecked sin leads not only to social chaos but to an internal spiritual void, rendering individuals and a community ineffective and lifeless in God's eyes, regardless of outward appearances. This verse highlights the need for divine intervention to open eyes and impart true life.