Isaiah 43:8
New International Version
Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.

New Living Translation
Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.

English Standard Version
Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!

Berean Standard Bible
Bring out a people who have eyes but are blind, and who have ears but are deaf.

King James Bible
Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

New King James Version
Bring out the blind people who have eyes, And the deaf who have ears.

New American Standard Bible
Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, And those who are deaf, even though they have ears.

NASB 1995
Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, And the deaf, even though they have ears.

NASB 1977
Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, And the deaf, even though they have ears.

Legacy Standard Bible
Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, And the deaf, even though they have ears.

Amplified Bible
Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, And the deaf, even though they have ears.

Christian Standard Bible
Bring out a people who are blind, yet have eyes, and are deaf, yet have ears.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Bring out a people who are blind, yet have eyes, and are deaf, yet have ears.

American Standard Version
Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

Contemporary English Version
Bring my people together. They have eyes and ears, but they can't see or hear.

English Revised Version
Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Bring the people who are blind but still have eyes, the people who are deaf but still have ears.

Good News Translation
God says, "Summon my people to court. They have eyes, but they are blind; they have ears, but they are deaf!

International Standard Version
"Bring out the people who are blind, yet still have eyes, who are deaf, yet still have ears!

Majority Standard Bible
Bring out a people who have eyes but are blind, and who have ears but are deaf.

NET Bible
Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, those who are deaf, even though they have ears!

New Heart English Bible
Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears.

Webster's Bible Translation
Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

World English Bible
Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He brought out a blind people who have eyes, "" And deaf ones who have ears.

Young's Literal Translation
He brought out a blind people who have eyes, And deaf ones who have ears.

Smith's Literal Translation
Bring forth the blind people, and there are eyes; and the deaf, and ears to them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Bring forth the people that are blind, and have eyes: that are deaf, and have ears.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Lead forth the people who are blind and have eyes, who are deaf and have ears.

New American Bible
Lead out the people, blind though they have eyes, deaf though they have ears.

New Revised Standard Version
Bring forth the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Bring forth the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Bring out the blind people who have eyes and do not see, and have ears and are deaf
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The blind people that have eyes shall be brought forth, And the deaf that have ears.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and I have brought forth the blind people; for their eyes are alike blind, and they that have ears are deaf.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel's Only Savior
7everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made.” 8Bring out a people who have eyes but are blind, and who have ears but are deaf. 9All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and proclaim to us the former things? Let them present their witnesses to vindicate them, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”…

Cross References
Jeremiah 5:21
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.

Matthew 13:13-15
This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

Ezekiel 12:2
“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.

Mark 8:18
‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember?

John 9:39-41
Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” / Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” / “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

Romans 11:8
as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”

Deuteronomy 29:4
Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.

Acts 28:26-27
‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

Psalm 115:5-6
They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;

2 Corinthians 3:14-15
But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.

Psalm 135:16-17
They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths.

Revelation 3:17
You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Proverbs 20:12
Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both.

John 12:40
“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”

Zechariah 7:11-12
But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. / They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.


Treasury of Scripture

Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

Isaiah 6:9
And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Isaiah 42:18-20
Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see…

Isaiah 44:18-20
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand…

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Isaiah 43
1. The Lord comforts the church with his promises.
8. He appeals to the people for witness of his omnipotence
14. He foretells them the destruction of Babylon
18. And his wonderful deliverance of his people
22. He reproves the people as inexcusable














Bring out
The phrase "Bring out" in Isaiah 43:8 is a call to action, a divine command from God. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "הוֹצִיאוּ" (hotzi'u), which means to lead forth or bring out. This imperative suggests an active participation in God's plan, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the task. Historically, this reflects God's desire to gather His people, to bring them from a place of spiritual blindness and deafness into the light of His truth. It is a call to awaken and mobilize, resonating with the broader biblical theme of God as a shepherd leading His flock.

a people
The term "a people" refers to the Israelites, God's chosen nation. In Hebrew, the word is "עַם" (am), which signifies a community bound by common identity and purpose. This phrase underscores the collective nature of God's covenant relationship with Israel. It is not just individuals but a whole community that God is addressing. Theologically, it reminds us of the communal aspect of faith, where God calls not just isolated believers but a united body to fulfill His purposes.

who have eyes
The phrase "who have eyes" is metaphorical, referring to the physical ability to see. However, in the context of Isaiah, it often symbolizes spiritual insight or understanding. The Hebrew word for eyes is "עֵינַיִם" (einaim). This highlights the irony of the situation: the people have the physical capacity to see, yet they are spiritually blind. It serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual perception, urging believers to seek God's wisdom and understanding beyond mere physical sight.

but are blind
The condition "but are blind" speaks to a spiritual blindness, a recurring theme in the prophetic literature. The Hebrew word "עִוְרִים" (ivrim) denotes a lack of vision or insight. This blindness is not due to a physical ailment but a spiritual condition resulting from disobedience and rebellion against God. It serves as a warning and a call to repentance, urging the people to turn back to God and regain their spiritual sight.

who have ears
Similar to the mention of eyes, "who have ears" refers to the ability to hear. The Hebrew word "אָזְנַיִם" (oznaim) is used here. This phrase suggests the potential to listen and understand God's word. It emphasizes the capacity for receiving divine revelation, which is crucial for a faithful relationship with God. The mention of ears highlights the importance of being attentive to God's voice, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.

but are deaf
The phrase "but are deaf" indicates a spiritual deafness, an inability to hear and respond to God's message. The Hebrew word "חֵרְשִׁים" (chereshim) is used, which can mean both physical and metaphorical deafness. This condition is often a result of hardened hearts and persistent sin. It serves as a call to self-examination and transformation, encouraging believers to open their hearts and minds to God's truth and guidance. The juxtaposition of having ears yet being deaf underscores the tragedy of ignoring God's voice and the need for spiritual awakening.

(8) Bring forth the blind people . . .--The command comes abruptly, as from a Divine voice, and is, as it were, a reversed echo of Isaiah 42:18-20. There Israel saw but did not observe, had eyes and yet was blind. Here the blind and deaf--i.e., the heathen, or the Israel that had fallen into heathenism--are spoken of as having capacities for sight and hearing which will one day be developed.

Verses 8-13. - A RENEWED CHALLENGE TO THE NATIONS. The nations are once more challenged (comp. Isaiah 41:1, 21-26) to set forth the claims of their gods against those of Jehovah. Israel is summoned on the one hand (ver. 8); the nations on the other (ver. 9). What prophecy can the nations produce, either old or new? The Israelites can abundantly witness on behalf of Jehovah (ver. 10). Jehovah adds a further witness of himself (vers. 11-13). Verse 8. - Bring forth the blind people that have eyes. A tribunal is supposed to have been prepared, before which the contending parties are summoned to appear and plead. Israel is first summoned, as "a blind people that have eyes;" i.e. a people long blind (Isaiah 29:18; Isaiah 35:5; Isaiah 42:7, 18, 19), who have now, to some extent, recovered their sight (Isaiah 32:3; Isaiah 35:5), and are ready to witness for God. Next, the nations are summoned (see the following verse).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Bring out
הוֹצִ֥יא (hō·w·ṣî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

a people
עַם־ (‘am-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

who have
יֵ֑שׁ (yêš)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

eyes
וְעֵינַ֣יִם (wə·‘ê·na·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - cd
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

but are blind,
עִוֵּ֖ר (‘iw·wêr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5787: Blind

and who have ears
וְאָזְנַ֥יִם (wə·’ā·zə·na·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - fd
Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear

but are deaf.
וְחֵרְשִׁ֖ים (wə·ḥê·rə·šîm)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2795: Deaf


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 43:8 Bring out the blind people who have (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 43:7
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