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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 44:18 They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/44-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/23_Isa_44_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 44:18 - The LORD has Chosen Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/44-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/44-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/44.htm">Chapter 44</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/44-17.htm" title="Isaiah 44:17">◄</a> Isaiah 44:18 <a href="/isaiah/44-19.htm" title="Isaiah 44:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/44.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/44.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/44.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Such stupidity and ignorance! Their eyes are closed, and they cannot see. Their minds are shut, and they cannot think.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/44.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/44.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/44.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; <i>and</i> their hearts, that they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/44.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They do not know nor understand; For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, <i>And</i> their hearts, so that they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/44.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see, and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/44.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/44.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/44.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they will have no insight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/44.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They do not know, nor do they understand, for God has muddied their eyes so that they cannot see, and their hearts (minds) <i>as well</i> so that they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/44.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Such people do not comprehend and cannot understand, for he has shut their eyes so they cannot see, and their minds so they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/44.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Such people do not comprehend and cannot understand, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see, and their minds so they cannot understand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/44.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They know not, neither do they consider: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/44.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Those who worship idols are stupid and blind! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/44.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They know not, neither do they consider: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/44.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They don't know or understand anything. Their eyes are plastered shut, so they can't see. And their minds are closed, so they can't understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/44.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Such people are too stupid to know what they are doing. They close their eyes and their minds to the truth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/44.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They don't realize; they don't understand, because their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds, too, so they cannot understand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/44.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/44.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or understand, for their eyes are blind and cannot see; their minds do not discern. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/44.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They do not know, neither do they consider: for he has shut their eyes, that they can't see; and their hearts, that they can't understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/44.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/44.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They don’t know, neither do they consider, for he has shut their eyes, that they can’t see, and their hearts, that they can’t understand. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/44.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They have not known, nor do they understand, "" For He has coated their eyes from seeing, "" Their heart from acting wisely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/44.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They have not known, nor do they understand, For He hath daubed their eyes from seeing, Their heart from acting wisely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/44.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They will not know, and they will not discern: he spread over their eyes from seeing; their heart from considering.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/44.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They have not known, nor understood: for their eyes are covered that they may not see, and that they may not understand with their heart. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/44.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They have neither known nor understood. For their eyes are obscured, lest they see with their eyes and understand with their heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/44.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They do not know, do not understand; their eyes are too clouded to see, their minds, to perceive. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/44.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They do not know, nor do they comprehend; for their eyes are shut, so that they cannot see, and their minds as well, so that they cannot understand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/44.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They have not known nor understood; for the vision of their eyes is shut that they cannot see, and the understanding of their hearts, so that they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/44.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they have not known, and they were not wise, for the sight of their eyes and the understanding of their heart is obstructed<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/44.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They know not, neither do they understand; For their eyes are bedaubed, that they cannot see, And their hearts, that they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/44.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They have no understanding to perceive; for they have been blinded so that they should not see with their eyes, nor perceive with their heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/44-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=9862" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/44.htm">The LORD has Chosen Israel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.” <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">They do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏə·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">comprehend</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: yā·ḇî·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">discern,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/2902.htm" title="2902: ṭaḥ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To overspread, overlay, coat, besmear. A primitive root; to smear, especially with lime.">He has shut</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·nê·hem (N-cdc:: 3mp) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">their eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: mê·rə·’ō·wṯ (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">so they cannot see</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bō·ṯām (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">and closed their minds</a> <a href="/hebrew/7919.htm" title="7919: mê·haś·kîl (Prep-m:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be, circumspect, intelligent. A primitive root; to be circumspect and hence, intelligent.">so they cannot understand.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a></span><br />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. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-4.htm">2 Corinthians 4:4</a></span><br />The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a></span><br />“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Matthew 13:14-15</a></span><br />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.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-17.htm">Mark 8:17-18</a></span><br />Aware of their conversation, Jesus asked them, “Why are you debating about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Do you have such hard hearts? / ‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/29-4.htm">Deuteronomy 29:4</a></span><br />Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-40.htm">John 12:40</a></span><br />“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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a></span><br />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; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-26.htm">Acts 28:26-27</a></span><br />‘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.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:10-12</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-5.htm">Proverbs 28:5</a></span><br />Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-18.htm">Ephesians 4:18</a></span><br />They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Jeremiah 4:22</a></span><br />“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They have not known nor understood: for he has shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.</p><p class="hdg">have not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9,20</a></b></br> They that make a graven image <i>are</i> all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they <i>are</i> their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">Isaiah 45:20</a></b></br> Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye <i>that are</i> escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god <i>that</i> cannot save.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/46-7.htm">Isaiah 46:7,8</a></b></br> They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, <i>one</i> shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble… </p><p class="hdg">for he hath</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Isaiah 6:10</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12</a></b></br> So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: <i>and</i> they walked in their own counsels.</p><p class="hdg">shut.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/56-11.htm">Isaiah 56:11</a></b></br> Yea, <i>they are</i> greedy dogs <i>which</i> can never have enough, and they <i>are</i> shepherds <i>that</i> cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/92-6.htm">Psalm 92:6</a></b></br> A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/2-5.htm">Proverbs 2:5-9</a></b></br> Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/23-17.htm">Acting</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-19.htm">Comprehend</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-18.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Daubed</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-4.htm">Discern</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-8.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-8.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-4.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-18.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-48.htm">Plastered</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-8.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/psalms/119-69.htm">Smeared</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-10.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-21.htm">Understood</a> <a href="/isaiah/25-7.htm">Veil</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-20.htm">Wisely</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Acting</a> <a href="/luke/18-34.htm">Comprehend</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-8.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-10.htm">Daubed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-26.htm">Discern</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-5.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-19.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-22.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-15.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-12.htm">Plastered</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-28.htm">Smeared</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-15.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-8.htm">Understood</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-2.htm">Veil</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-10.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-13.htm">Wisely</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 44</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/44-1.htm">God comforts the church with his promises</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/44-7.htm">The vanity of idols</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">And folly of idol makers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/44-21.htm">He exhorts to praise God for his redemption and omnipotence</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/isaiah/44.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>They do not know or understand</b><br />This phrase highlights the spiritual blindness and ignorance of those who turn away from God. In Hebrew, the words for "know" (יָדַע, yada) and "understand" (בִּין, bin) suggest a deep, intimate knowledge and discernment. The lack of this knowledge indicates a willful rejection of divine truth. Historically, Israel often fell into idolatry, ignoring the covenant relationship with Yahweh. This phrase serves as a warning against the dangers of spiritual complacency and the importance of seeking God's wisdom.<p><b>for He has shut their eyes</b><br />The imagery of eyes being shut is a powerful metaphor for spiritual blindness. In Hebrew, the word for "shut" (טָמַם, tam) implies a deliberate act of closing or sealing. This suggests divine judgment, where God allows those who persist in sin to remain in their blindness. It reflects the biblical principle that persistent rejection of God leads to a hardened heart, as seen in Pharaoh's account in Exodus. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's light.<p><b>so they cannot see</b><br />The inability to see is a direct result of spiritual blindness. In the biblical context, seeing often represents understanding and perceiving God's truth. The Hebrew word for "see" (רָאָה, ra'ah) encompasses both physical sight and spiritual insight. This phrase underscores the tragic state of those who are spiritually blind, unable to perceive the reality of God's presence and purpose. It calls believers to pray for spiritual sight and discernment, to see the world through God's eyes.<p><b>and their minds so they cannot comprehend</b><br />The mind, in Hebrew thought, is the seat of understanding and wisdom. The word for "minds" (לֵב, lev) often refers to the heart, symbolizing the inner being and will. The inability to comprehend (שָׂכַל, sakal) indicates a lack of wisdom and insight. This phrase highlights the tragic consequence of rejecting God: a mind that cannot grasp spiritual truths. It serves as a call to seek God's wisdom, as found in Proverbs, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. It encourages believers to cultivate a heart and mind open to God's instruction.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/44.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">He hath shut their eyes.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">their eyes are smeared over. </span>The state described is the judicial blindness of <a href="/context/romans/1-20.htm" title="For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:">Romans 1:20-25</a>. It will be remembered that blindness thus inflicted was one of the tortures of Eastern cruelty.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/44.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They have not known nor understood</span>. The cause of all this folly is a Minding of the understanding, divinely caused in the way of punishment, on account of their having wilfully closed their eyes to the truth. Because they "did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate (or, undistinguishing) mind" (<a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28</a>; comp. <a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10</a>). <span class="cmt_word">He hath shut</span>; or, <span class="accented">One hath shut.</span> But the reference is in either case to God. The word translated "<span class="accented">shut"</span> means literally "<span class="accented">plastered"</span> or "smeared." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/44-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">comprehend</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדְע֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[or]</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">understand,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָבִ֑ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate mentally, understand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He has shut</span><br /><span class="heb">טַ֤ח</span> <span class="translit">(ṭaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2902.htm">Strong's 2902: </a> </span><span class="str2">To overspread, overlay, coat, besmear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵֽינֵיהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cdc | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so they cannot see,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵֽרְאוֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(mê·rə·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and [closed] their minds</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבֹּתָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lib·bō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3826.htm">Strong's 3826: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so they cannot understand.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵהַשְׂכִּ֖יל</span> <span class="translit">(mê·haś·kîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7919.htm">Strong's 7919: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, circumspect, intelligent</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 44:18 They don't know neither do they consider: (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/44-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 44:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 44:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/44-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 44:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 44:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>