New International VersionWho is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one in covenant with me, blind like the servant of the LORD?
New Living TranslationWho is as blind as my own people, my servant? Who is as deaf as my messenger? Who is as blind as my chosen people, the servant of the LORD?
English Standard VersionWho is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as my dedicated one, or blind as the servant of the LORD?
Berean Standard BibleWho is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD?
King James BibleWho is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?
New King James VersionWho is blind but My servant, Or deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is blind as he who is perfect, And blind as the LORD’s servant?
New American Standard BibleWho is blind but My servant, Or so deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is so blind as one who is at peace with Me, Or so blind as the servant of the LORD?
NASB 1995Who is blind but My servant, Or so deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is so blind as he that is at peace with Me, Or so blind as the servant of the LORD?
NASB 1977Who is blind but My servant, Or so deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is so blind as he that is at peace with Me, Or so blind as the servant of the LORD?
Legacy Standard BibleWho is blind but My servant, Or so deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is so blind as he that is at peace with Me, Or so blind as the servant of Yahweh?
Amplified BibleWho is blind but My servant [Israel], Or deaf like My messenger whom I send? Who is blind like the one who is at peace with Me [in a covenant relationship], Or so blind as the servant of the LORD?
Christian Standard BibleWho is blind but my servant, or deaf like my messenger I am sending? Who is blind like my dedicated one, or blind like the servant of the LORD?
Holman Christian Standard BibleWho is blind but My servant, or deaf like My messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My dedicated one, or blind like the servant of the LORD?
American Standard VersionWho is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I send? who is blind as he that is at peace with me, and blind as Jehovah's servant?
Contemporary English VersionNo one is as blind or deaf as his messenger, his chosen servant,
English Revised VersionWho is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I send? who is blind as he that is at peace with me, and blind as the LORD'S servant?
GOD'S WORD® TranslationWho is blind except my servant or deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one who has my trust or blind like the servant of the LORD?
Good News TranslationIs anyone more blind than my servant, more deaf than the messenger I send?
International Standard VersionWho is blind except my servant, or deaf like my messenger I am sending? Who is blind like the one committed to me, or blind like the LORD's servant?
NET BibleMy servant is truly blind, my messenger is truly deaf. My covenant partner, the servant of the LORD, is truly blind.
New Heart English BibleWho is blind, but my servant? Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is as blind as he who is at peace, and as blind as the LORD's servant?
Webster's Bible TranslationWho is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWho is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD?
World English BibleWho is blind, but my servant? Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is as blind as he who is at peace, and as blind as Yahweh’s servant? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWho [is] blind but My servant? And deaf as My messenger I send? Who [is] blind as he who is at peace, "" Indeed, blind, as the servant of YHWH?
Young's Literal Translation Who is blind but My servant? And deaf as My messenger I send? Who is blind as he who is at peace, Yea, blind, as the servant of Jehovah?
Smith's Literal TranslationWho blind but my servant? and deaf as my messenger I shall send? who blind he being perfect? and blind as the servant of Jehovah? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWho is blind, but my servant? or deaf, but he to whom I have sent my messengers? Who is blind, but he that is sold? or who is blind, but the servant of the Lord?
Catholic Public Domain VersionWho is blind, except my servant? Who is deaf, except the one to whom I have sent my messengers? Who is blind, except the one who has been sold? And who is blind, except the servant of the Lord?
New American BibleWho is blind but my servant, or deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one I restore, blind like the servant of the LORD?
New Revised Standard VersionWho is blind but my servant, or deaf like my messenger whom I send? Who is blind like my dedicated one, or blind like the servant of the LORD? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWho is blind but my servant? Who is deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as the ruler? and blind as the LORD'S servant?
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedWho is blind if not my Servant, and deaf as my Messenger whom I shall send? Who is blind as the Ruler and blind as the Servant of LORD JEHOVAH? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Who is blind, but My servant? Or deaf, as My messenger that I send? Who is blind as he that is wholehearted, And blind as the LORD'S servant?
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd who is blind, but my servants? and deaf, but they that rule over them? yea, the servants of God have been made blind.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Israel is Deaf and Blind18Listen, you deaf ones; look, you blind ones, that you may see! 19Whois blindbutMy servant,or deaflike the messengerI am sending?Whois blindlike My covenant partner,or blindlike the servantof the LORD?20Though seeing many things, you do not keep watch. Though your ears are open, you do not hear.”…
Cross References Matthew 13:13-15This 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.’
John 9:39-41Then 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.”
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.
Matthew 15:14Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Romans 11:8as 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 29:4Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.
Mark 8:18‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember?
Psalm 115:5-6They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;
Psalm 135:16-17They 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 3:14-16But 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. / But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
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.’
Isaiah 6:9-10And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / 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.”
Zechariah 7:11-12But 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.
Revelation 3:17You 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.
Treasury of Scripture Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD's servant? who is blind 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 29:9-14 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink… Isaiah 56:10 His watchmenare blind: they are all ignorant, theyare all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Jump to Previous BlindCommittedDeafDedicatedEarsJehovah'sLORD'sMessengerPeacePerfectServantShutStoppedTrue.TrustedWholeheartedJump to Next BlindCommittedDeafDedicatedEarsJehovah'sLORD'sMessengerPeacePerfectServantShutStoppedTrue.TrustedWholeheartedIsaiah 42 1.The office of Christ, graced with meekness and constancy.5.God's promise unto him.10.An exhortation to praise God for his Gospel13.God will manifest himself, and check idolatry18.He reproves the people of incredulity.Who is blind but My servantThis phrase refers to Israel, often called God's servant in the Old Testament. Despite being chosen to be a light to the nations, Israel frequently failed to see God's purposes and live according to His commands. This blindness is spiritual, indicating a lack of understanding and obedience. The servant's blindness contrasts with the role they were meant to play, highlighting their failure to fulfill their divine mission. or deaf like the messenger I am sending?
The messenger here is also Israel, tasked with conveying God's message to the world. Deafness symbolizes an inability or unwillingness to hear and respond to God's voice. This reflects Israel's repeated disobedience and idolatry, as seen throughout their history, such as in the wilderness (Exodus 32) and during the time of the judges (Judges 2:11-19). Who is blind like My covenant partner
The term "covenant partner" underscores the special relationship between God and Israel, established through covenants with figures like Abraham (Genesis 15) and Moses (Exodus 19-24). Despite this privileged position, Israel's spiritual blindness is emphasized, showing their failure to uphold their side of the covenant. This blindness is a recurring theme in the prophets, who call Israel to repentance and renewal of their covenantal obligations. or blind like the servant of the LORD?
This phrase reiterates the earlier point, emphasizing the servant's role and failure. The "servant of the LORD" can also be seen as a type of Christ, who perfectly fulfills the role of the servant in later passages (Isaiah 53). Unlike Israel, Jesus is the faithful servant who sees and hears God's will perfectly, fulfilling the mission Israel could not. This typology is significant in understanding the messianic prophecies and the ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. The ServantIn Isaiah 42, the "servant" is often interpreted as Israel, God's chosen people, who were meant to be a light to the nations but were spiritually blind and deaf to God's commands and purposes. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who calls His people to be His witnesses and to live according to His statutes. 3. The MessengerThis term can refer to the prophets or leaders of Israel who were supposed to convey God's message but often failed due to their spiritual blindness and deafness. 4. IsaiahThe prophet who delivered God's message to Israel, calling them to repentance and faithfulness. 5. The NationsThe surrounding peoples who were to see God's glory through Israel's obedience and witness. Teaching Points Spiritual AwarenessWe must be vigilant against spiritual blindness and deafness in our own lives, ensuring that we are receptive to God's Word and guidance. Role of God's ServantsAs God's servants, we are called to be His messengers, living lives that reflect His truth and love to the world. Repentance and RenewalRecognizing our own spiritual shortcomings should lead us to repentance and a renewed commitment to follow God's ways. Witness to the NationsOur lives should be a testimony to God's grace and truth, drawing others to Him through our actions and words. Dependence on the Holy SpiritWe need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and ears to understand and apply God's Word effectively in our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 42:19?
2.How does Isaiah 42:19 challenge us to recognize spiritual blindness in ourselves?
3.What steps can we take to avoid being "blind" or "deaf" as described?
4.How does Isaiah 42:19 connect with Jesus' teachings on spiritual sight?
5.In what ways can we ensure we are truly hearing God's message today?
6.How can Isaiah 42:19 inspire us to pray for spiritual discernment and clarity?
7.Who is the "servant" referred to in Isaiah 42:19?
8.How does Isaiah 42:19 challenge our understanding of spiritual blindness?
9.What historical context surrounds Isaiah 42:19?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 42?
11.How can the prediction in Isaiah 42:1 about a 'chosen servant' be verified historically or archeologically?
12.In Isaiah 49:3, the servant is called 'Israel,' but elsewhere seems a single individual--does this create an internal inconsistency?
13.Why did Jesus tell His disciples not to preach to Gentiles (Matthew 10:5-6), but later command them to go to all nations (Matthew 28:19)?
14.Could Isaiah 42:6-7 be an ex eventu prophecy, written after the outcomes it predicts already occurred?What Does Isaiah 42:19 Mean Who is blind but My servantIsaiah 42:19 begins by exposing a startling irony. Israel has been granted the unmatched privilege of being God’s “servant,” yet no one appears more unaware of His glory than the very nation appointed to display it. • God had earlier affirmed, “You are My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified” (Isaiah 49:3). • Still, instead of shining, the servant stumbles (Isaiah 1:3; 29:13–14). • Their blindness is not physical but spiritual; they miss the obvious works of the Lord all around them (Isaiah 43:10;Romans 11:7–8). • This blindness contrasts sharply with the servant of verses 1–4—ultimately fulfilled in Christ—who perfectly reveals God’s light (Matthew 12:18–21).
Or deaf like the messenger I am sendingThe same people called to hear God’s voice and relay it to the nations refuse to listen themselves. • Israel had the Law, the prophets, and countless reminders (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Chron 36:15–16), yet they “stopped their ears” (Zechariah 7:11). • God’s messenger must be receptive before he can be effective; ignoring the message disqualifies the messenger (Jeremiah 7:23–26;Acts 7:51). • The phrase “I am sending” underscores God’s ongoing plan; He perseveres with His people even when they resist (Romans 10:21).
Who is blind like My covenant partner“Covenant partner” recalls Sinai, where Israel vowed, “All the words which the LORD has spoken we will do” (Exodus 24:7). • Covenant blindness is especially tragic, because it spurns known obligations (Deuteronomy 29:2–4). • The Old Covenant was designed to lead to blessing through obedience (Leviticus 26:3–13), but blindness reversed the blessing (Leviticus 26:14–17;Hosea 4:6). • Even so, the covenant remains God’s framework for eventual restoration (Jeremiah 31:31–34;Romans 11:26–27).
Or blind like the servant of the LORD?The repetition of “servant” drives the point home. None should see more clearly than the one closest to God, yet the servant is the blindest of all. • The Lord’s rhetorical question highlights responsibility: privilege multiplies accountability (Amos 3:2;Luke 12:48). • Spiritual blindness keeps the servant from fulfilling the mission of being “a light for the nations” (Isaiah 42:6;Matthew 5:14). • Nevertheless, God’s faithfulness outlasts Israel’s failure; He will open blind eyes (Isaiah 42:7, 16; 35:5) and accomplish His purposes through the ultimate Servant, Jesus (John 8:12).
summaryIsaiah 42:19 confronts Israel’s stunning spiritual insensitivity. The people chosen, commissioned, and covenanted to reveal God’s light have become blind and deaf to that very light. By piling up titles—servant, messenger, covenant partner—the Lord underscores both their privilege and their failure. Yet the surrounding passage promises that God’s mission will not fail; He will send the faithful Servant who opens eyes and ears, and He will one day awaken His covenant people to see and hear again. (19) Deaf, as my messenger . . .--The work of the messenger of God had been the ideal of Isaiah, as it was of theservant in whom the ideal was realised ( Romans 10:15; Isaiah 42:1). But how could a blind and deaf messenger, like the actual Israel, do his work effectually? ( Psalm 123:2). As he that is perfect.--Strictly speaking,the devoted,orsurrendered one.The Hebrewmeshullamis interesting, as connected with the modernMoslemandIslam,the manresignedto the will of God. The frequent use of this, or a cognate form, as a proper name after the exile (1Chronicles 9:21;Ezra 8:6;Ezra 10:15;Nehemiah 3:4) may (on either assumption as to the date of 2 Isaiah) be connected with it by some link of causation. Other meanings given to it have been "perfect" as in the Authorised Version, "confident,""recompensed," "meritorious." . . . Verse 19. - Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger? God's original "servant" and "messenger" to the nations was his people Israel. It was only through their default that he needed to send another and truer messenger. He now asks, having regard to their opportunities, who are so blind and deaf as they are? The object of the question is to wake a feeling of shame in the hearts of those who are not shameless among the Israelites. That I sent; rather, whom I will send. Israel's mediatorial office was not yet over. They were still, for above five hundred years, to be God's messenger to the nations. As he that is perfect; rather, as he that receives reward from me (see Proverbs 11:31; Proverbs 13:13). The word used is connected etymologically with the Arabic muslim (our "Moslem"); but it does not appear to have had the sense of "surrender" or "submission" in Hebrew.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Whoמִ֤י(mî)Interrogative
Strong's 4310:Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffixis blindעִוֵּר֙(‘iw·wêr)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5787:Blindbutכִּ֣י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionMy servant,עַבְדִּ֔י(‘aḇ·dî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5650:Slave, servantor deafוְחֵרֵ֖שׁ(wə·ḥê·rêš)Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2795:Deaflike the messengerכְּמַלְאָכִ֣י(kə·mal·’ā·ḵî)Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4397:A messenger, of God, an angelI am sending?אֶשְׁלָ֑ח(’eš·lāḥ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7971:To send away, for, outWhoמִ֤י(mî)Interrogative
Strong's 4310:Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffixis blindעִוֵּר֙(‘iw·wêr)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5787:Blindlike My covenant partner,כִּמְשֻׁלָּ֔ם(kim·šul·lām)Preposition-k | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7999:To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocateor blindוְעִוֵּ֖ר(wə·‘iw·wêr)Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5787:Blindlike the servantכְּעֶ֥בֶד(kə·‘e·ḇeḏ)Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5650:Slave, servantof the LORD?יְהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 42:19 Who is blind but my servant? (Isa Isi Is) |
