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Isaiah 6:9 And He replied: "Go and tell this people, 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'
<!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 6:9 And He replied: "Go and tell this people, 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/6-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/23_Isa_06_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 6:9 - Isaiah's Commission" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And He replied: Go and tell this people, 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'" /><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><!-- Google tag (gtag.js) --> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><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/6-9.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/6-9.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/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 9</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="/ad9.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/6-8.htm" title="Isaiah 6:8">◄</a> Isaiah 6:9 <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm" title="Isaiah 6:10">►</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/6.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/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He said, “Go and tell this people: “’Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not understand; And keep on looking, but do not gain knowledge.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not know.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not understand; Keep on looking, but do not comprehend.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he replied: Go! Say to these people: Keep listening, but do not understand; keep looking, but do not perceive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And He replied: Go! Say to these people: Keep listening, but do not understand; keep looking, but do not perceive. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD told me to go and speak this message to the people: "You will listen and listen, but never understand. You will look and look, but never see." The LORD also said, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />And he said, "Go and tell these people, 'No matter how closely you listen, you'll never understand. No matter how closely you look, you'll never see.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So he told me to go and give the people this message: "No matter how much you listen, you will not understand. No matter how much you look, you will not know what is happening." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Go!" he responded. "Tell this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He said, "Go and tell these people: 'Listen continually, but don't understand! Look continually, but don't perceive!' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And he said, "Go, and tell this people, 'In hearing you hear, but do not understand; and seeing you see, but do not perceive.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said, “Go, and tell this people, ‘You hear indeed, but don’t understand. You see indeed, but don’t perceive.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He says, “Go, and you have said to this people, Hearing you hear, and you do not understand, "" And seeing you see, and you do not know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And He saith, 'Go, and thou hast said to this people, Hear ye -- to hear, and ye do not understand, And see ye -- to see, and ye do not know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will say, Go, and say to this people, Hearing, hear ye, and ye shall not understand; and seeing, see ye, and ye shall not know.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he said: Go, and thou shalt say to this people: Hearing, hear, and understand not: and see the vision, and know it not. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said: “Go forth! And you shall say to this people: ‘When you listen, you will hear and not understand. And when you see a vision, you will not comprehend.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />And he replied: Go and say to this people: Listen carefully, but do not understand! Look intently, but do not perceive! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said, “Go and say to this people: ‘Keep listening, but do not comprehend; keep looking, but do not understand.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said to me, Go, and tell this people, You can hear indeed, but understand not; and you can see indeed, but do not perceive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he said to me: “Go, say to this people, ‘Hear well, and you will not understand, and see well, and you will not know’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And He said: 'Go, and tell this people: Hear ye indeed, but understand not; And see ye indeed, but perceive not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Ye shall hear indeed, but ye shall not understand; and ye shall see indeed, but ye shall not perceive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/6-9.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=1289" 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/6.htm">Isaiah's Commission</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8</span>Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!” <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">And He replied:</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lêḵ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">“Go</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wə·’ā·mar·tā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: lā·‘ām (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">people,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šim·‘ū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">‘Be ever hearing,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·mō·w·a‘ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently."></a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">but never</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: tā·ḇî·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">understanding;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: ū·rə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">be ever seeing,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’ōw (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively."></a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">but never</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: tê·ḏā·‘ū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">perceiving.’</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>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.”…<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="/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="/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="/mark/4-12.htm">Mark 4:12</a></span><br />so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-10.htm">Luke 8:10</a></span><br />He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39-40</a></span><br />For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: / “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8</a></span><br />as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”<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="/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="/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="/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="/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_corinthians/3-14.htm">2 Corinthians 3:14-15</a></span><br />But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.<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="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Zechariah 7:11-12</a></span><br />But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. / They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11-12</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. / People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear you indeed, but understand not; and see you indeed, but perceive not.</p><p class="hdg">go</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a></b></br> Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near <i>me</i> with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/30-8.htm">Isaiah 30:8-11</a></b></br> Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/32-7.htm">Exodus 32:7-10</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted <i>themselves</i>: … </p><p class="hdg">hear ye</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/43-8.htm">Isaiah 43:8</a></b></br> Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18-20</a></b></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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Matthew 13:14,15</a></b></br> And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: … </p><p class="hdg">indeed.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-17.htm">Getting</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-8.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-9.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-6.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/songs/8-13.htm">Listening</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-22.htm">Perceive</a> <a href="/acts/14-9.htm">Perceiving</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-3.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-24.htm">Wiser</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/9-3.htm">Getting</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-8.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-12.htm">Listening</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-10.htm">Perceive</a> <a href="/matthew/12-15.htm">Perceiving</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/ezekiel/28-3.htm">Wiser</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/6-1.htm">Isaiah, in a vision of the Lord in his glory</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Being terrified, has apprehensions removed</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/6-8.htm">He offers himself, and is sent to show the obstinacy of the people</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/6-13.htm">A remnant shall be saved</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'; 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It reflects the prophetic nature of Isaiah's mission, where God communicates His will directly to the prophet. This is a common theme in the prophetic books, where God often speaks directly to His chosen messengers.<p><b>Go and tell this people:</b><br>The command to "go" signifies the active role of the prophet as God's messenger. "This people" refers specifically to the Israelites, emphasizing their identity as God's chosen nation. Historically, this period was marked by spiritual decline and political turmoil in Judah, necessitating a prophetic call to repentance and awareness.<p><b>‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;</b><br>This phrase underscores the spiritual dullness and obstinacy of the people. Despite having access to God's word and prophets, they fail to grasp the deeper spiritual truths. This condition is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus uses similar language to describe those who hear His parables but do not understand (<a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Matthew 13:14-15</a>). It highlights the theme of spiritual blindness and the need for divine intervention to truly understand God's message.<p><b>be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’</b><br>The repetition of sensory verbs "hearing" and "seeing" emphasizes the people's persistent failure to comprehend God's revelations. This reflects a hardened heart and a refusal to acknowledge God's works and warnings. The concept of seeing without perceiving is also found in the Gospels, where Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their lack of spiritual insight (<a href="/john/9-39.htm">John 9:39-41</a>). This phrase serves as a warning of judgment and a call to seek true understanding through repentance and faith.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by visions and prophecies concerning both judgment and redemption.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign Lord who commissions Isaiah to deliver a message to the people. He is the ultimate authority and the one who reveals His will through His prophets.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_judah.htm">The People of Judah</a></b><br>The audience of Isaiah's message. They are characterized by their persistent disobedience and spiritual insensitivity, which leads to their inability to understand or perceive God's message.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a></b><br>The setting of Isaiah's vision in <a href="/bsb/isaiah/6.htm">Isaiah 6</a>, where he sees the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted. This vision marks the beginning of Isaiah's prophetic ministry.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_seraphim.htm">The Seraphim</a></b><br>Angelic beings present in Isaiah's vision, who proclaim God's holiness and glory. They play a role in Isaiah's commissioning by purifying him with a coal from the altar.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_sensitivity.htm">Spiritual Sensitivity</a></b><br>The importance of being spiritually sensitive and responsive to God's word. Isaiah's message warns against the dangers of hearing without understanding and seeing without perceiving.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets.htm">The Role of Prophets</a></b><br>Understanding the role of prophets as God's messengers, who often deliver difficult truths. Isaiah's commission reminds us of the need for boldness and faithfulness in sharing God's message.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_mercy.htm">Judgment and Mercy</a></b><br>Recognizing the balance of judgment and mercy in God's dealings with His people. While Isaiah's message is one of judgment, it also points to the hope of redemption.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_condition_of_the_heart.htm">The Condition of the Heart</a></b><br>The passage challenges us to examine the condition of our hearts. Are we open to God's voice, or are we hardened and resistant?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fulfillment_in_christ.htm">Fulfillment in Christ</a></b><br>Seeing the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in the New Testament, particularly in the ministry of Jesus and the early church, underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_harden_hearts_in_isaiah_6_9-10.htm">Isaiah 6:9–10 – How does a just God justify hardening people’s hearts so they cannot understand or repent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_spiritual_blindness_mean.htm">What does spiritual blindness mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_hardened_heart.htm">What defines a hardened heart?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_jesus_use_parables_to_obscure.htm">In Mark 4:10–12, why would Jesus deliberately use parables to prevent some from understanding instead of clearly teaching everyone? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not.</span>--No harder task, it may be, was ever given to man. Ardent dreams of reformation and revival, the nation renewing its strength like the eagle, were scattered to the winds; and he had to face the prospect of a fruitless labour, of feeling that he did but increase the evil against which he strove. It was the very opposite mission of that to which St. Paul was sent, to "open men's eyes, and turn them from darkness to light" (<a href="/acts/26-18.htm" title="To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.">Acts 26:18</a>). It is significant that the words that followed were quoted both by the Christ (<a href="/context/matthew/13-14.htm" title="And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which said, By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive:">Matthew 13:14-15</a>; <a href="/mark/4-12.htm" title="That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.">Mark 4:12</a>), by St. John (<a href="/john/12-40.htm" title="He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.">John 12:40</a>), and by St. Paul (<a href="/context/acts/28-26.htm" title="Saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and not perceive:">Acts 28:26-27</a>), as finding their fulfilment in their own work and the analogous circumstances of their own time. History was repeating itself. To Isaiah, as with greater clearness to St. Paul (Romans 9-11), there was given the support of the thought that the failure which he saw was not total, that even then a "remnant should be saved;" that though his people had "stumbled," they had not "fallen" irretrievably; that the ideal Israel should one day be realised. The words point at once to the guilt of "this people "--we note the touch of scorn ("populus <span class= "ital">iste"</span>) in the manner in which they are mentioned (<a href="/isaiah/8-11.htm" title="For the LORD spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,">Isaiah 8:11</a>; <a href="/isaiah/28-11.htm" title="For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.">Isaiah 28:11</a>; <a href="/isaiah/28-14.htm" title="Why hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.">Isaiah 28:14</a>; <a href="/matthew/9-3.htm" title="And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemes.">Matthew 9:3</a>; <a href="/matthew/26-61.htm" title="And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.">Matthew 26:61</a>)--and to its punishment. All was outward with them. Words did not enter into their minds ("heart," <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>"understanding," rather than "feeling"). Events that were "signs of the times," calls to repentance or to action, were taken as things of course. For such a state, after a certain stage, there is but one treatment. It must run its course and "dree its weird," partly as a righteous retribution, partly as the only remedial process possible. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Hear ye indeed... see ye indeed</span>; literally, <span class="accented">In</span> <span class="accented">hearing hear</span>... <span class="accented">in seeing see -</span> with the force of "Listen and bear; look and see;" "Attend, "that is," with the outward souse, and catch all that sense can catch, but without perception of the inward meaning" (see <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Matthew 13:14</a>; <a href="/mark/4-12.htm">Mark 4:12</a>, etc.). This is what they would do. Isaiah is bidden to exhort them, in grave irony, to do it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/6-9.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">And He replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֕אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Go</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵ֥ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and tell</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָמַרְתָּ֖</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·mar·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">people:</span><br /><span class="heb">לָעָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘Be ever hearing,</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁמְע֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(šim·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but never</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">understanding;</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּבִ֔ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tā·ḇî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second 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">be ever seeing,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּרְא֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·rə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<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">but never</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">perceiving.’</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵּדָֽעוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(tê·ḏā·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 6:9 He said Go and tell this people (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/6-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 6:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 6:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 6:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 6:10" /></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>