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…

Jump to Previous
Blind Deaf Ears Eyes Forth Lead Ones Shut
Jump to Next
Blind Deaf Ears Eyes Forth Lead Ones Shut
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 a people
This phrase calls for the gathering of a specific group, likely referring to the Israelites. Historically, the Israelites were often called out by God for a purpose, such as being His chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6). This calling out can also be seen as a summons to witness or testify, a common theme in Isaiah where God calls His people to be witnesses to His power and faithfulness (Isaiah 43:10).

who have eyes but are blind
The reference to having eyes but being blind is a metaphor for spiritual blindness. Despite having the ability to see physically, the people are unable to perceive or understand God's truth and works. This blindness is often attributed to idolatry and disobedience (Isaiah 42:18-20). In the New Testament, Jesus frequently addressed spiritual blindness, particularly among the Pharisees (John 9:39-41), highlighting the need for spiritual insight and understanding.

and who have ears but are deaf
Similar to the previous phrase, this refers to spiritual deafness. The people have the ability to hear but fail to listen to God's voice and commandments. This deafness is a recurring issue in the Old Testament, where the Israelites often ignored the prophets' warnings (Jeremiah 6:10). In the New Testament, Jesus often used the phrase "He who has ears, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15) to emphasize the importance of truly listening and understanding His teachings. This phrase underscores the need for a responsive and obedient heart to God's word.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline.

2. The People of Israel
The primary audience of Isaiah's message. They are often depicted as spiritually blind and deaf due to their disobedience and idolatry.

3. Babylonian Exile
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Isaiah 43 includes the impending Babylonian exile, a significant event where the Israelites were taken captive due to their unfaithfulness.
Teaching Points
Spiritual Awareness
Just as physical sight and hearing are crucial for navigating the world, spiritual sight and hearing are essential for understanding God's will and purpose. We must seek God to open our eyes and ears to His truth.

Repentance and Renewal
The call to bring out the blind and deaf is an invitation to repentance. Acknowledge areas of spiritual blindness and seek God's forgiveness and renewal.

God's Sovereignty and Grace
Despite Israel's spiritual blindness, God remains sovereign and gracious, offering redemption and restoration. Trust in His ability to transform and renew.

The Role of the Church
The church is called to be a light to those who are spiritually blind and deaf, sharing the gospel and living out the truth of God's Word.

Personal Reflection
Regularly examine your spiritual condition. Are there areas where you are blind or deaf to God's leading? Pray for discernment and clarity.(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


Links
Isaiah 43:8 NIV
Isaiah 43:8 NLT
Isaiah 43:8 ESV
Isaiah 43:8 NASB
Isaiah 43:8 KJV

Isaiah 43:8 BibleApps.com
Isaiah 43:8 Biblia Paralela
Isaiah 43:8 Chinese Bible
Isaiah 43:8 French Bible
Isaiah 43:8 Catholic Bible

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