Isaiah 44:18

Modern

They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.

Traditional

They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

Literal

They do not know and they do not understand, for He has covered over their eyes from seeing, their hearts from understanding.

Latin

Nescierunt, neque intellexerunt; obliti enim sunt ne videant oculi eorum, et ne intelligant corde suo.

Hebrew

English

They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.

closed their minds: Idol worshipers do not see the irony in using one part of a log for warmth and another part as their god.

This passage uses the form of a trial speech to press God’s argument that disgrace comes to all who trust in idols and false gods.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah 6:9–10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
2 Corinthians 4:3–4
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
John 12:39–40
For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12
The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
Jeremiah 5:21
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.
Psalm 81:12
So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
Proverbs 2:5–9
…then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.
Matthew 13:14–15
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
Romans 1:21–23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
John 5:44
How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
John 8:43
Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message.
Isaiah 29:10
For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.