Isaiah 6:10
New International Version
Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

New Living Translation
Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.”

English Standard Version
Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Berean Standard Bible
Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

King James Bible
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

New King James Version
“Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.”

New American Standard Bible
“Make the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes blind, So that they will not see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.”

NASB 1995
“Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.”

NASB 1977
“Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Lest they see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.”

Amplified Bible
“Make the heart of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.”

Christian Standard Bible
Make the minds of these people dull; deafen their ears and blind their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their minds, turn back, and be healed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Dull the minds of these people; deafen their ears and blind their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their minds, turn back, and be healed.

American Standard Version
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed.

Contemporary English Version
"Make these people stubborn! Make them stop up their ears, cover their eyes, and fail to understand. Don't let them turn to me and be healed."

English Revised Version
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Make these people close-minded. Plug their ears. Shut their eyes. Otherwise, they may see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their minds, and return and be healed."

Good News Translation
Then he said to me, "Make the minds of these people dull, their ears deaf, and their eyes blind, so that they cannot see or hear or understand. If they did, they might turn to me and be healed."

International Standard Version
Dull the mind of this people, deafen their ears, and blind their eyes. By doing so, they won't see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their minds, turn back, and be healed."

Majority Standard Bible
Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.?

NET Bible
Make the hearts of these people calloused; make their ears deaf and their eyes blind! Otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, their hearts might understand and they might repent and be healed."

New Heart English Bible
The heart of this people has grown dull, and their ears sluggish, and they have closed their eyes, otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn back, and I would heal them."

Webster's Bible Translation
Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

World English Bible
Make the heart of this people fat. Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Declare the heart of this people fat, "" And declare its ears heavy, "" And declare its eyes dazzled, "" Lest it see with its eyes, "" And hear with its ears, and consider with its heart, "" And it has turned back, and has health.”

Young's Literal Translation
Declare fat the heart of this people, And its ears declare heavy, And its eyes declare dazzled, Lest it see with its eyes, And with its ears hear, and its heart consider, And it hath turned back, and hath health.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Make the heart of this people fat and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes, lest they shall see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and their heart shall understand and turn back and be healed to them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Blind the heart of this people, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes: lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Blind the heart of this people. Make their ears heavy and close their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and then I would heal them.”

New American Bible
Make the heart of this people sluggish, dull their ears and close their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and their heart understand, and they turn and be healed.

New Revised Standard Version
Make the mind of this people dull, and stop their ears, and shut their eyes, so that they may not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and comprehend with their minds, and turn and be healed.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the heart of this people is darkened and their ears are heavy and their eyes closed, so that they may not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted and be forgiven.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For the heart of people this has made itself dense for it, and its ears it has made heavy and its eyes it has shut, that it would not see with its eyes and hear with its ears, and understand in its heart and return and be forgiven itself”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Make the heart of this people fat, And make their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they, seeing with their eyes, And hearing with their ears, And understanding with their heart, Return, and be healed.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the heart of this people has become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Isaiah's Commission
9And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ 10Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” 11Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged,…

Cross References
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. / 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.’

John 12:39-40
For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: / “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.” / 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.’

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.’”

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.

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

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.

Psalm 115:4-8
Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...

Psalm 135:15-18
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / 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. ...

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.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

Hebrews 3:7-8
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness,

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.

Proverbs 28:14
Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.


Treasury of Scripture

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

the heart

Isaiah 29:10
For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

Isaiah 63:17
O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

Exodus 7:3
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

fat

Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

Psalm 17:10
They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

ears heavy

Jeremiah 6:10
To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.

Zechariah 7:11
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

lest

Jeremiah 5:21
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:

John 3:19,20
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil…

Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

convert

Isaiah 19:22
And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.

Matthew 13:15
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Jump to Previous
Calloused Close Consider Convert Dazzled Declare Dim Dull Ears Eyes Fat Fear Healed Health Hear Hearing Heart Hearts Heavy Otherwise Render Sea Shut Stopped Turn Turned Understand Understanding Wise
Jump to Next
Calloused Close Consider Convert Dazzled Declare Dim Dull Ears Eyes Fat Fear Healed Health Hear Hearing Heart Hearts Heavy Otherwise Render Sea Shut Stopped Turn Turned Understand Understanding Wise
Isaiah 6
1. Isaiah, in a vision of the Lord in his glory
5. Being terrified, has apprehensions removed
8. He offers himself, and is sent to show the obstinacy of the people
13. A remnant shall be saved














Make the hearts of this people calloused;
This phrase reflects a divine judgment upon the people of Israel for their persistent disobedience and rebellion against God. The hardening of hearts is a recurring theme in the Bible, often indicating a judicial act of God in response to human obstinacy. In Exodus, Pharaoh's heart was hardened as a demonstration of God's power and sovereignty (Exodus 9:12). Similarly, in the New Testament, Paul speaks of a hardening that has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:25). This hardening serves as both a consequence of sin and a means to fulfill God's redemptive purposes.

deafen their ears and close their eyes.
This imagery of sensory impairment symbolizes spiritual insensitivity and unresponsiveness to God's message. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, hearing and seeing were often associated with understanding and obedience. The prophets frequently used these metaphors to describe the people's failure to heed God's word (Jeremiah 5:21, Ezekiel 12:2). Jesus also referenced this passage in the Gospels to explain why He spoke in parables, indicating that the people's spiritual blindness prevented them from grasping the truth (Matthew 13:14-15).

Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears,
This conditional statement underscores the potential for repentance and restoration if the people were to perceive and understand God's message. The possibility of seeing and hearing implies that the current state of spiritual blindness is not irreversible. Throughout Scripture, God consistently calls His people to repentance, offering forgiveness and healing to those who turn back to Him (2 Chronicles 7:14, Acts 3:19). The use of sensory language here highlights the importance of spiritual perception in the process of conversion.

understand with their hearts,
Understanding with the heart signifies a deep, internal comprehension that goes beyond mere intellectual assent. In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. True understanding involves a transformation of the heart, leading to genuine repentance and faith. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul prays for the Ephesians to have the eyes of their hearts enlightened (Ephesians 1:18). The transformation of the heart is a key aspect of the new covenant, where God promises to write His law on the hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:33).

and turn and be healed.”
The call to "turn" is a call to repentance, a fundamental theme in the prophetic literature. Repentance involves a change of direction, turning away from sin and towards God. The promise of healing indicates not only physical restoration but also spiritual renewal and reconciliation with God. This healing is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who came to heal the brokenhearted and restore the relationship between God and humanity (Isaiah 53:5, Luke 4:18). The prophetic message of Isaiah points forward to the redemptive work of Christ, who offers healing and salvation to all who believe.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of both judgment and hope to the people of Judah.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often warned by prophets like Isaiah about impending judgment due to their disobedience.

3. God
The sovereign Lord who commissions Isaiah to deliver a message that will harden the hearts of the people as a form of judgment.

4. The People of Judah
The audience of Isaiah's prophecy, who are at risk of becoming spiritually insensitive due to their persistent rebellion against God.

5. The Vision of Isaiah
The event in which Isaiah sees the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and receives his prophetic commission.
Teaching Points
The Sovereignty of God in Judgment
God is sovereign in His decisions to harden or soften hearts. This passage reminds us of the seriousness of persistent disobedience and the consequences it can bring.

Spiritual Sensitivity
The calloused hearts, deaf ears, and closed eyes symbolize a spiritual insensitivity that can develop from repeated rejection of God's truth. We must guard against becoming spiritually dull by remaining open and responsive to God's Word.

The Role of Prophets
Isaiah's mission highlights the challenging role of prophets who must deliver difficult messages. It reminds us of the importance of speaking truth, even when it is not well-received.

Repentance and Healing
The passage implies that understanding, seeing, and hearing lead to repentance and healing. This underscores the importance of a responsive heart to experience God's restoration.

The Mystery of Divine Hardening
While difficult to understand, the hardening of hearts serves a purpose in God's redemptive plan. It challenges us to trust in God's wisdom and timing, even when His ways are beyond our comprehension.(10) Make the heart of this people fat.--The thought is the same as that of the "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 8:19; Exodus 9:34, &c) and that of Sihon (Deuteronomy 2:30). It implies the reckless headstrong will which defies restraint and warnings. So the poets of Greece, in their thoughts as to the Divine government of the world, recognised the truth that there is a judicial blindness and, as it were, insanity of will that comes as the consequence of sinful deeds ( 'sch. Agam. 370-386). The mediaeval adage, "Quem Deus vult perdere prius dementat," expresses one aspect of the same law; but the vult perdere is excluded by the clearer revelation of the Divine purpose (Ezekiel 18:23; 1Timothy 2:4; 2Peter 2:9), as "not willing that any should perish." . . . Verse 10. - Make the heart of this people fat. Isaiah is commanded to effect by his preaching that which his preaching would, in fact, effect. It would not awaken the people out of their apathy, it would not stir them to repentance; therefore it would only harden and deaden them. The words have a national, not an individual, application. Shut their eyes; literally, besmear their eyes; or, seal them up. Such sealing has been employed by Oriental monarchs as a punishment. And convert; i.e. "turn to God." Our translators have used the word in an intransitive sense.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
{Make} the hearts
לֵב־ (lêḇ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

of this
הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

people
הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

calloused;
הַשְׁמֵן֙ (haš·mên)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8080: To shine, be, oily, gross

deafen
הַכְבֵּ֖ד (haḵ·bêḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome

their ears
וְאָזְנָ֥יו (wə·’ā·zə·nāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear

and close
הָשַׁ֑ע (hā·ša‘)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8173: To look upon, fondle, please, amuse, to look about, stare

their eyes.
וְעֵינָ֣יו (wə·‘ê·nāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

Otherwise
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

they might see
יִרְאֶ֨ה (yir·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

with their eyes,
בְעֵינָ֜יו (ḇə·‘ê·nāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

hear
יִשְׁמָ֗ע (yiš·mā‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

with their ears,
וּבְאָזְנָ֣יו (ū·ḇə·’ā·zə·nāw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear

understand
יָבִ֛ין (yā·ḇîn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

with their hearts,
וּלְבָב֥וֹ (ū·lə·ḇā·ḇōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart

and turn
וָשָׁ֖ב (wā·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

and be healed.
וְרָ֥פָא (wə·rā·p̄ā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7495: To mend, to cure


Links
Isaiah 6:10 NIV
Isaiah 6:10 NLT
Isaiah 6:10 ESV
Isaiah 6:10 NASB
Isaiah 6:10 KJV

Isaiah 6:10 BibleApps.com
Isaiah 6:10 Biblia Paralela
Isaiah 6:10 Chinese Bible
Isaiah 6:10 French Bible
Isaiah 6:10 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 6:9
Top of Page
Top of Page