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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 56:10 Israel's watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/56-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/23_Isa_56_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 56:10 - Israel's Sinful Leaders" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Israel's watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</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/56-10.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/56-10.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/56.htm">Chapter 56</a> > Verse 10</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="/ad10.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/56-9.htm" title="Isaiah 56:9">◄</a> Isaiah 56:10 <a href="/isaiah/56-11.htm" title="Isaiah 56:11">►</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="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/56.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/56.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Israel&#8217s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/56.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For the leaders of my people— the LORD’s watchmen, his shepherds— are blind and ignorant. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/56.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/56.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/56.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />His watchmen <i>are</i> blind: they are all ignorant, they <i>are</i> all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/56.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />His watchmen <i>are</i> blind, They are all ignorant; They <i>are</i> all dumb dogs, They cannot bark; Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/56.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />His watchmen are blind, All of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/56.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />His watchmen are blind, All of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/56.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />His watchmen are blind, All of them know nothing. All of them are dumb dogs unable to bark, Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/56.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />His watchmen are blind; All of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/56.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Israel’s watchmen are blind, They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; Panting, lying down, they love to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/56.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Israel’s watchmen are blind, all of them, they know nothing; all of them are mute dogs, they cannot bark; they dream, lie down, and love to sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/56.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Israel&#8217s watchmen are blind, all of them, they know nothing; all of them are mute dogs, they cannot bark; they dream, lie down, and love to sleep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/56.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/56.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You leaders of Israel should be watchdogs, protecting my people. But you can't see a thing, and you never warn them. Dozing and daydreaming are all you ever do. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/56.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/56.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[Israel's] watchmen are blind. None of them know anything. All of them are like dogs that are unable to bark. They lie around dreaming; they love to sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/56.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He says, "All the leaders, who are supposed to warn my people, are blind! They know nothing. They are like watch dogs that don't bark--they only lie around and dream. How they love to sleep! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/56.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge. They are all dumb dogs— they cannot bark. They keep on dreaming and lying around, and they're lovers of sleep! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/56.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Israel?s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/56.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />All their watchmen are blind, they are unaware. All of them are like mute dogs, unable to bark. They pant, lie down, and love to snooze. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/56.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they can't bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/56.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/56.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />His watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs. They can’t bark— dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/56.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />His watchmen [are] blind—all of them, "" They have not known, "" All of them [are] mute dogs, they are not able to bark, "" Dozing, lying down, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/56.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Blind are his watchmen -- all of them, They have not known, All of them are dumb dogs, they are not able to bark, Dozing, lying down, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/56.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Look about, ye blind; they all knew not, they all dumb dogs, they shall not be able to bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/56.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />His watchmen are all blind, they are all ignorant: dumb dogs not able to bark, seeing vain things, sleeping and loving dreams. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/56.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />His watchmen are all blind. They are all ignorant. They are mute dogs without the ability to bark, seeing empty things, sleeping and loving dreams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/56.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />All the sentinels of Israel are blind, they are without knowledge; They are all mute dogs, unable to bark; Dreaming, reclining, loving their sleep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/56.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Israel’s sentinels are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs that cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/56.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />All that are blind can see, but they know not; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; they see, but they lie down and slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/56.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />See, all blind ones, and they do not know, all the dogs are dumb, and they cannot bark. They see and are lying down and they love to sleep<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/56.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />His watchmen are all blind, Without knowledge; They are all dumb dogs, They cannot bark; Raving, lying down, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/56.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />See how they are all blinded: they have not known; <i>they are</i> dumb dogs <i>that</i> will not bark; dreaming of rest, loving to slumber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/56-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=12532" 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/56.htm">Israel's Sinful Leaders</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9</span>Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6822.htm" title="6822: ṣå̄·p̄ū (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. To peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await.">Israel’s watchmen</a> <a href="/hebrew/5787.htm" title="5787: ‘iw·rîm (Adj-mp) -- Blind. Intensive from avar; blind.">are blind,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kul·lām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">they are all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏā·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">oblivious;</a> <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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kul·lām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">they are all</a> <a href="/hebrew/483.htm" title="483: ’il·lə·mîm (Adj-mp) -- Mute (unable to speak). From 'alam; speechless.">mute</a> <a href="/hebrew/3611.htm" title="3611: kə·lā·ḇîm (N-mp) -- A dog. From an unused root means. To yelp, or else to attack; a dog; hence a male prostitute.">dogs,</a> <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 cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: yū·ḵə·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5024.htm" title="5024: lin·bō·aḥ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To bark. A primitive root; to bark.">bark;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1957.htm" title="1957: hō·zîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To dream, rave. A primitive root; to dream.">they are dreamers</a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: šō·ḵə·ḇîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">lying around,</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: ’ō·hă·ḇê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">loving</a> <a href="/hebrew/5123.htm" title="5123: lā·nūm (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To be drowsy, slumber. A primitive root; to slumber.">to slumber.</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:…<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="/ezekiel/34-1.htm">Ezekiel 34:1-10</a></span><br />Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-17.htm">Jeremiah 6:17</a></span><br />I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1-2</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-5.htm">Micah 3:5-7</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: / Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/11-15.htm">Zechariah 11:15-17</a></span><br />And the LORD said to me: “Take up once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd. / For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves. / Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/2-14.htm">Lamentations 2:14</a></span><br />The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10</a></span><br />For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/62-6.htm">Isaiah 62:6</a></span><br />On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16-24</a></span><br />Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? / And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-12.htm">John 10:12-13</a></span><br />The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-28.htm">Acts 20:28-31</a></span><br />Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. / I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1-3</a></span><br />Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">1 Timothy 4:1-2</a></span><br />Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.</p><p class="hdg">watchmen</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/52-8.htm">Isaiah 52:8</a></b></br> Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/3-17.htm">Ezekiel 3:17</a></b></br> Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.</p><p class="hdg">are blind</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="/jeremiah/14-13.htm">Jeremiah 14:13,14</a></b></br> Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></b></br> My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.</p><p class="hdg">they are all dumb</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/58-1.htm">Isaiah 58:1</a></b></br> Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/6-13.htm">Jeremiah 6:13,14</a></b></br> For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one <i>is</i> given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/23-13.htm">Jeremiah 23:13,14</a></b></br> And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err… </p><p class="hdg">sleeping.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-4.htm">Proverbs 6:4-10</a></b></br> Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/24-30.htm">Proverbs 24:30-34</a></b></br> I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jonah/1-2.htm">Jonah 1:2-6</a></b></br> Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/50-4.htm">Able</a> <a href="/exodus/11-7.htm">Bark</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-13.htm">Dogs</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-7.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/psalms/126-1.htm">Dreamers</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-7.htm">Dreaming</a> <a href="/isaiah/53-7.htm">Dumb</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-2.htm">Ignorant</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-6.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-20.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-7.htm">Lying</a> <a href="/isaiah/53-7.htm">Mute</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Raving</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-15.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-15.htm">Sleeping</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-27.htm">Slumber</a> <a href="/isaiah/53-7.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-7.htm">Unable</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-8.htm">Watchmen</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/57-20.htm">Able</a> <a href="/joel/1-7.htm">Bark</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-10.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/isaiah/56-11.htm">Dogs</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-25.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/jeremiah/27-9.htm">Dreamers</a> <a href="/jude/1-8.htm">Dreaming</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-26.htm">Dumb</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-16.htm">Ignorant</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-9.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-2.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-13.htm">Lying</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-26.htm">Mute</a> <a href="/john/10-20.htm">Raving</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-26.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-39.htm">Sleeping</a> <a href="/nahum/3-18.htm">Slumber</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-9.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-18.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-1.htm">Unable</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-6.htm">Watchmen</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 56</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/56-1.htm">The prophet exhorts to sanctification</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/56-3.htm">He promises it shall be general, without respect of persons</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/56-9.htm">He protests against blind watchmen</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 /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/56.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/56.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Israel’s watchmen are blind</b><br>In the context of ancient Israel, watchmen were responsible for alerting the city of impending danger. Spiritually, this term refers to leaders and prophets who were supposed to guide and protect the people. The blindness of these watchmen indicates a failure to perceive spiritual truths and moral decay. This blindness is a metaphor for their inability to see the consequences of their actions or the needs of the people. In the New Testament, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their spiritual blindness (<a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a>), drawing a parallel to the leaders in Isaiah's time.<p><b>they are all oblivious</b><br>The term "oblivious" suggests a lack of awareness or concern for their duties. This reflects a deeper spiritual apathy and negligence among the leaders. Historically, this period was marked by idolatry and social injustice, which the leaders failed to address. The prophets, like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, often condemned such negligence, emphasizing the need for repentance and return to God's ways.<p><b>they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark</b><br>Dogs in ancient Near Eastern cultures were often seen as guardians. A mute dog that cannot bark is useless as a protector. This imagery highlights the leaders' inability to warn the people of spiritual danger. In <a href="/philippians/3-2.htm">Philippians 3:2</a>, Paul warns against "dogs," referring to false teachers, which echoes the idea of leaders failing in their protective roles. The inability to speak truth and warn of sin is a critical failure in spiritual leadership.<p><b>they are dreamers lying around</b><br>The term "dreamers" suggests a state of complacency and indulgence in fantasies rather than facing reality. This can be seen as a critique of leaders who are more concerned with their own comfort and visions than with the pressing needs of their people. In <a href="/jude/1-8.htm">Jude 1:8</a>, false teachers are described as dreamers who defile the flesh, indicating a similar disconnect from God's truth.<p><b>loving to slumber</b><br>"Loving to slumber" implies a preference for inactivity and neglect of duty. This phrase underscores the leaders' laziness and lack of vigilance. In <a href="/proverbs/6-9.htm">Proverbs 6:9-11</a>, slumber is associated with poverty and ruin, symbolizing the spiritual and moral decay that results from neglect. The call to spiritual wakefulness is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are urged to be alert and watchful (<a href="/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel's_watchmen.htm">Israel's Watchmen</a></b><br>These are the leaders and prophets of Israel, tasked with guiding and protecting the people spiritually. In this context, they are criticized for failing in their duties.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Israel. He often addressed the spiritual and moral state of the nation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, often depicted in the Bible as needing guidance and correction due to their recurring disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_responsibility_of_leadership.htm">The Responsibility of Leadership</a></b><br>Leaders in the church are called to be vigilant and aware, guiding their congregations with wisdom and discernment. Spiritual blindness in leadership can lead to the downfall of the community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_complacency.htm">The Danger of Complacency</a></b><br>Just as the watchmen loved to slumber, Christians must guard against spiritual complacency. We are called to be alert and active in our faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_discernment.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Discernment</a></b><br>Being spiritually discerning helps us recognize false teachings and remain steadfast in truth. This discernment is crucial for both leaders and laypeople.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_in_the_community.htm">Accountability in the Community</a></b><br>The community of believers should hold each other accountable, ensuring that leaders are fulfilling their roles and that everyone remains spiritually awake.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_wakefulness.htm">The Call to Wakefulness</a></b><br>Christians are encouraged to remain spiritually awake, actively engaging in prayer, study, and service to avoid the pitfalls of spiritual slumber.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_56.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 56</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_jesus_call_the_woman_a_dog.htm">Why did Jesus refer to the Canaanite woman as a dog?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_using_flawed_empires_contradict_omnipotence.htm">Isaiah 10:15-16: Does it contradict divine omnipotence to use flawed human empires to accomplish God's will, then punish them for their actions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_assyria's_use_morally_consistent.htm">Isaiah 10:5-6: How does using a ruthless nation like Assyria as an instrument of punishment align with moral consistency?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_isaiah_59_9-10_with_god's_guidance.htm">How do we reconcile Isaiah 59:9-10, describing spiritual and moral blindness, with other biblical passages that suggest God provides ongoing guidance to His people?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/56.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">His watchmen are blind.</span>--These are the guides of the people, and specially the self-styled prophets, who are "blind" to the signs of the times, who are "dumb," and give no warning to the people of the real dangers that threaten them, who prophesy for the rewards of divination (<a href="/numbers/22-7.htm" title="And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.">Numbers 22:7</a> :<a href="/1_samuel/9-7.htm" title="Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?">1Samuel 9:7</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/6-12.htm" title="And, see, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.">Nehemiah 6:12</a>), who are conspicuous for their luxury and intemperance. Given the men who are described in <a href="/isaiah/5-22.htm" title="Woe to them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:">Isaiah 5:22</a>; <a href="/context/isaiah/28-7.htm" title="But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.">Isaiah 28:7-8</a>; <a href="/isaiah/30-10.htm" title="Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not to us right things, speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits:">Isaiah 30:10</a>, and the circumstances of Manasseh's reign, no other result could be expected. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/56.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">His watchmen are blind</span>. Israel's "watchmen" are his guides and teachers, the prophets (Isaiah 6:17; <a href="/ezekiel/3-17.htm">Ezekiel 3:17</a>; <a href="/habakkuk/2-1.htm">Habakkuk 2:1</a>, etc.). At the time of which Isaiah speaks, they are "blind" (<a href="/isaiah/29-18.htm">Isaiah 29:18</a>; <a href="/isaiah/35-5.htm">Isaiah 35:5</a>; <a href="/isaiah/42-7.htm">Isaiah 42:7, 16, 18, 19</a>; <a href="/isaiah/43-8.htm">Isaiah 43:8</a>, etc.), or without knowledge - like the "blind guides" of the Gospel (<a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a>; <a href="/luke/6-39.htm">Luke 6:39</a>, etc.). They have not the spiritual discernment which would enable them to lead the people aright. <span class="cmt_word">Further, they are dumb dogs.</span> Instead of acting as faithful watch-dogs, who give warning of the approach of danger by their barking, they remain apathetic, and utter no warning at all. It is as if they passed their lives in sleep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/56-10.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">Israel’s watchmen</span><br /><span class="heb">צֹפָ֞יו</span> <span class="translit">(ṣō·p̄āw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6822.htm">Strong's 6822: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are blind,</span><br /><span class="heb">עִוְרִ֤ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘iw·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5787.htm">Strong's 5787: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they are all</span><br /><span class="heb">כֻּלָּם֙</span> <span class="translit">(kul·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">oblivious;</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדָ֔עוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏā·‘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">they are all</span><br /><span class="heb">כֻּלָּם֙</span> <span class="translit">(kul·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">mute</span><br /><span class="heb">אִלְּמִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(’il·lə·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_483.htm">Strong's 483: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mute (unable to speak)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dogs,</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּלָבִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(kə·lā·ḇîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3611.htm">Strong's 3611: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dog, a male prostitute</span><br /><br /><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">bark;</span><br /><span class="heb">לִנְבֹּ֑חַ</span> <span class="translit">(lin·bō·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5024.htm">Strong's 5024: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bark</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they are dreamers</span><br /><span class="heb">הֹזִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(hō·zîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1957.htm">Strong's 1957: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dream, rave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lying around,</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹֽׁכְבִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(šō·ḵə·ḇîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">loving</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹהֲבֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·hă·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have affection f</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to slumber.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָנֽוּם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·nūm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5123.htm">Strong's 5123: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be drowsy, slumber</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 56:10 His watchmen are blind they are all (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/56-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 56:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 56:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/56-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 56:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 56:11" /></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>