Isaiah 6:9

Translations

Modern

And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’

Traditional

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

Literal

And He said, “Go and say to the people this: ‘Be ever hearing and never understanding, and be ever seeing and never knowing.’

Latin

Et dixit: Vade, et dices populo huic: Audite audientes, et nolite intelligere; et videte visionem, et nolite cognoscere.

Original

Hebrew

English

And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’

Notes

Isaiah 6:9

never understanding … never perceiving: The prophet's words revealed the true feelings of his audience. The people were so deep in sin that hearing the truth pushed them further from God instead of closer (for example, Ahaz, Isaiah 7). Yet, the truth needed to be spoken.

Jesus also used this principle in his own preaching (Matthew 13:14–15; Luke 8:10; 19:42; John 12:40; see also Acts 28:26–27; Romans 11:8).

Isaiah 6:1–13

Isaiah’s great vision of the Lord as King on his throne was a turning point in his life. This vision shaped his work as a prophet.

Scholars understand the historical setting of this event in two main ways:

Some see Isaiah 6 as Isaiah's original call to ministry. This would mean Isaiah 1–5 and 7–12 belong to the time of King Ahaz. Ahaz began to rule after King Uzziah died(Isaiah 6:1).
If this is correct, Isaiah’s call did not appear at the beginning of the book for literary reasons. Perhaps the author placed the call in chapter 6 to end chapters 1–5 and introduce chapters 7–12.
Isaiah’s personal cleansing and commissioning show what the whole nation needed. The people also needed to turn back to God if they were to fulfill their calling to be God’s light to the world.
Others believe that chapters 1–12 follow a chronological order (in the order events happened).
In this view, chapter 6 does not describe Isaiah’s first call. Instead, it describes a recommissioning. This means God sent Isaiah again to serve in a new way.
This new stage of ministry took place during the time of Ahaz. During this period, people would reject Isaiah’s message.
Supporters of this interpretation refer to Isaiah 2:7–9; 3:16–24; and 5:8–14. They argue that these sections describe a time of wealth, military strength, pride, and luxury. These conditions fit the reign of Uzziah but not the reign of Ahaz.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah Hardened Hearts Invasion Misunderstanding in the Gospel of John Salvation in Isaiah Visions

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

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.
Luke 8:10
He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’
Mark 4:12
…so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.
Isaiah 43:8
Bring out a people who have eyes but are blind, and who have ears but are deaf.
Isaiah 44:18–20
They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.
Isaiah 30:8–11
Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the days to come, a witness forever and ever.
Jeremiah 15:1–2
Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go!
Exodus 32:7–10
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.

Isaiah 6:9

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