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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 42:19 Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/42-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/23_Isa_42_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 42:19 - Israel is Deaf and Blind" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD?" /><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/42-19.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/42-19.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/42.htm">Chapter 42</a> > Verse 19</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="/ad19.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/42-18.htm" title="Isaiah 42:18">◄</a> Isaiah 42:19 <a href="/isaiah/42-20.htm" title="Isaiah 42:20">►</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/42.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/42.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one in covenant with me, blind like the servant of the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/42.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Who is as blind as my own people, my servant? Who is as deaf as my messenger? Who is as blind as my chosen people, the servant of the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/42.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as my dedicated one, or blind as the servant of the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/42.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Who <i>is</i> blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger <i>that</i> I sent? who <i>is</i> blind as <i>he that is</i> perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/42.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Who <i>is</i> blind but My servant, Or deaf as My messenger <i>whom</i> I send? Who <i>is</i> blind as <i>he who is</i> perfect, And blind as the LORD’s servant?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who is blind but My servant, Or so deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is so blind as one who is at peace <i>with Me,</i> Or so blind as the servant of the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/42.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Who is blind but My servant, Or so deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is so blind as he that is at peace with Me, Or so blind as the servant of the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Who is blind but My servant, Or so deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is so blind as he that is at peace <i>with Me</i>, Or so blind as the servant of the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Who is blind but My servant, Or so deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is so blind as he that is at peace <i>with Me</i>, Or so blind as the servant of Yahweh?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Who is blind but My servant [Israel], Or deaf like My messenger whom I send? Who is blind like the one who is at peace <i>with Me</i> [in a covenant relationship], Or so blind as the servant of the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who is blind but my servant, or deaf like my messenger I am sending? Who is blind like my dedicated one, or blind like the servant of the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like My messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My dedicated one, or blind like the servant of the LORD? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/42.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I send? who is blind as he that is at peace with me, and blind as Jehovah's servant?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />No one is as blind or deaf as his messenger, his chosen servant, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/42.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I send? who is blind as he that is at peace with me, and blind as the LORD'S servant?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Who is blind except my servant or deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one who has my trust or blind like the servant of the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/42.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Is anyone more blind than my servant, more deaf than the messenger I send? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/42.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Who is blind except my servant, or deaf like my messenger I am sending? Who is blind like the one committed to me, or blind like the LORD's servant?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/42.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />My servant is truly blind, my messenger is truly deaf. My covenant partner, the servant of the LORD, is truly blind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Who is blind, but my servant? Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is as blind as he who is at peace, and as blind as the LORD's servant?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/42.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Who is blind, but my servant? Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is as blind as he who is at peace, and as blind as Yahweh’s servant? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Who [is] blind but My servant? And deaf as My messenger I send? Who [is] blind as he who is at peace, "" Indeed, blind, as the servant of YHWH?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Who is blind but My servant? And deaf as My messenger I send? Who is blind as he who is at peace, Yea, blind, as the servant of Jehovah?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Who blind but my servant? and deaf as my messenger I shall send? who blind he being perfect? and blind as the servant of Jehovah?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, but he to whom I have sent my messengers? Who is blind, but he that is sold? or who is blind, but the servant of the Lord? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Who is blind, except my servant? Who is deaf, except the one to whom I have sent my messengers? Who is blind, except the one who has been sold? And who is blind, except the servant of the Lord?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/42.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Who is blind but my servant, or deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one I restore, blind like the servant of the LORD? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Who is blind but my servant, or deaf like my messenger whom I send? Who is blind like my dedicated one, or blind like the servant of the LORD?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Who is blind but my servant? Who is deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as the ruler? and blind as the LORD'S servant?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Who is blind if not my Servant, and deaf as my Messenger whom I shall send? Who is blind as the Ruler and blind as the Servant of LORD JEHOVAH?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Who is blind, but My servant? Or deaf, as My messenger that I send? Who is blind as he that is wholehearted, And blind as the LORD'S servant?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And who is blind, but my servants? and deaf, but they that rule over them? yea, the servants of God have been made blind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/42-19.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=9289" 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/42.htm">Israel is Deaf and Blind</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18</span>Listen, you deaf ones; look, you blind ones, that you may see! <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/5787.htm" title="5787: ‘iw·wêr (Adj-ms) -- Blind. Intensive from avar; blind.">is blind</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">but</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·dî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">My servant,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2795.htm" title="2795: wə·ḥê·rêš (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Deaf. From charash; deaf.">or deaf</a> <a href="/hebrew/4397.htm" title="4397: kə·mal·’ā·ḵî (Prep-k:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- A messenger. From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. An angel.">like the messenger</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: ’eš·lāḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">I am sending?</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/5787.htm" title="5787: ‘iw·wêr (Adj-ms) -- Blind. Intensive from avar; blind.">is blind</a> <a href="/hebrew/7999.htm" title="7999: kim·šul·lām (Prep-k:: V-Pual-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to be safe; figuratively, to be completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate.">like My covenant partner,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5787.htm" title="5787: wə·‘iw·wêr (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Blind. Intensive from avar; blind.">or blind</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: kə·‘e·ḇeḏ (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">like the servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD?</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>Though seeing many things, you do not keep watch. Though your ears are open, you do not hear.”…<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/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a></span><br />This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/9-39.htm">John 9:39-41</a></span><br />Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” / Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” / “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”<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="/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="/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="/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="/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="/mark/8-18.htm">Mark 8:18</a></span><br />‘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="/psalms/115-5.htm">Psalm 115:5-6</a></span><br />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/135-16.htm">Psalm 135:16-17</a></span><br />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 3:14-16</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. / But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.<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="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”<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="/revelation/3-17.htm">Revelation 3:17</a></span><br />You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD's servant?</p><p class="hdg">who is blind</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9</a></b></br> And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-9.htm">Isaiah 29:9-14</a></b></br> Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10</a></b></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.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-17.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">Deaf</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-18.htm">Dedicated</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-2.htm">Jehovah's</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-27.htm">LORD's</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-27.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-14.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-3.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-2.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-4.htm">True.</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-5.htm">Trusted</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-3.htm">Wholehearted</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/43-8.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-8.htm">Deaf</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-29.htm">Dedicated</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-20.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-5.htm">Jehovah's</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-5.htm">LORD's</a> <a href="/isaiah/52-7.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-7.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-10.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-22.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-10.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-9.htm">True.</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-10.htm">Trusted</a> <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Wholehearted</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 42</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm">The office of Christ, graced with meekness and constancy.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-5.htm">God's promise unto him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-10.htm">An exhortation to praise God for his Gospel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-13.htm">God will manifest himself, and check idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">He reproves the people of incredulity.</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/42.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/42.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Who is blind but My servant</b><br>This phrase refers to Israel, often called God's servant in the Old Testament. Despite being chosen to be a light to the nations, Israel frequently failed to see God's purposes and live according to His commands. This blindness is spiritual, indicating a lack of understanding and obedience. The servant's blindness contrasts with the role they were meant to play, highlighting their failure to fulfill their divine mission.<p><b>or deaf like the messenger I am sending?</b><br>The messenger here is also Israel, tasked with conveying God's message to the world. Deafness symbolizes an inability or unwillingness to hear and respond to God's voice. This reflects Israel's repeated disobedience and idolatry, as seen throughout their history, such as in the wilderness (Exodus 32) and during the time of the judges (<a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Judges 2:11-19</a>).<p><b>Who is blind like My covenant partner</b><br>The term "covenant partner" underscores the special relationship between God and Israel, established through covenants with figures like Abraham (Genesis 15) and Moses (Exodus 19-24). Despite this privileged position, Israel's spiritual blindness is emphasized, showing their failure to uphold their side of the covenant. This blindness is a recurring theme in the prophets, who call Israel to repentance and renewal of their covenantal obligations.<p><b>or blind like the servant of the LORD?</b><br>This phrase reiterates the earlier point, emphasizing the servant's role and failure. The "servant of the LORD" can also be seen as a type of Christ, who perfectly fulfills the role of the servant in later passages (Isaiah 53). Unlike Israel, Jesus is the faithful servant who sees and hears God's will perfectly, fulfilling the mission Israel could not. This typology is significant in understanding the messianic prophecies and the ultimate fulfillment in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_servant.htm">The Servant</a></b><br>In <a href="/bsb/isaiah/42.htm">Isaiah 42</a>, the "servant" is often interpreted as Israel, God's chosen people, who were meant to be a light to the nations but were spiritually blind and deaf to God's commands and purposes.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who calls His people to be His witnesses and to live according to His statutes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_messenger.htm">The Messenger</a></b><br>This term can refer to the prophets or leaders of Israel who were supposed to convey God's message but often failed due to their spiritual blindness and deafness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaiah.htm">Isaiah</a></b><br>The prophet who delivered God's message to Israel, calling them to repentance and faithfulness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_nations.htm">The Nations</a></b><br>The surrounding peoples who were to see God's glory through Israel's obedience and witness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_awareness.htm">Spiritual Awareness</a></b><br>We must be vigilant against spiritual blindness and deafness in our own lives, ensuring that we are receptive to God's Word and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_god's_servants.htm">Role of God's Servants</a></b><br>As God's servants, we are called to be His messengers, living lives that reflect His truth and love to the world.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_renewal.htm">Repentance and Renewal</a></b><br>Recognizing our own spiritual shortcomings should lead us to repentance and a renewed commitment to follow God's ways.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/witness_to_the_nations.htm">Witness to the Nations</a></b><br>Our lives should be a testimony to God's grace and truth, drawing others to Him through our actions and words.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_the_holy_spirit.htm">Dependence on the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>We need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and ears to understand and apply God's Word effectively in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_42.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 42</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_isaiah_42_1_be_verified_historically.htm">How can the prediction in Isaiah 42:1 about a 'chosen servant' be verified historically or archeologically?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_isaiah_49_3's_'israel'_inconsistent.htm">In Isaiah 49:3, the servant is called 'Israel,' but elsewhere seems a single individual--does this create an internal inconsistency?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_jesus'_mission_change_to_all_nations.htm">Why did Jesus tell His disciples not to preach to Gentiles (Matthew 10:5-6), but later command them to go to all nations (Matthew 28:19)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_isaiah_42_6-7_an_ex_eventu_prophecy.htm">Could Isaiah 42:6-7 be an ex eventu prophecy, written after the outcomes it predicts already occurred?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/42.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">Deaf, as my messenger . . .</span>--The work of the messenger of God had been the ideal of Isaiah, as it was of <span class= "ital">the </span>servant in whom the ideal was realised (<a href="/romans/10-15.htm" title="And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!">Romans 10:15</a>; <a href="/isaiah/42-1.htm" title="Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit on him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.">Isaiah 42:1</a>). But how could a blind and deaf messenger, like the actual Israel, do his work effectually? (<a href="/psalms/123-2.htm" title="Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden to the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait on the LORD our God, until that he have mercy on us.">Psalm 123:2</a>).<p><span class= "bld">As he that is perfect.</span>--Strictly speaking, <span class= "ital">the devoted, </span>or <span class= "ital">surrendered one. </span>The Hebrew <span class= "ital">meshullam </span>is interesting, as connected with the modern <span class= "ital">Moslem </span>and <span class= "ital">Islam, </span>the man <span class= "ital">resigned </span>to the will of God. The frequent use of this, or a cognate form, as a proper name after the exile (<a href="/1_chronicles/9-21.htm" title="And Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was porter of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.">1Chronicles 9:21</a>; <a href="/ezra/8-6.htm" title="Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males.">Ezra 8:6</a>; <a href="/ezra/10-15.htm" title="Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.">Ezra 10:15</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/3-4.htm" title="And next to them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next to them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next to them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.">Nehemiah 3:4</a>) may (on either assumption as to the date of 2 Isaiah) be connected with it by some link of causation. Other meanings given to it have been "perfect" as in the Authorised Version, "confident," <span class= "ital">"</span>recompensed," "meritorious." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger?</span> God's original "servant" and "messenger" to the nations was his people Israel. It was only through their default that he needed to send another and truer messenger. He now asks, having regard to their opportunities, who are so blind and deaf as they are? The object of the question is to wake a feeling of shame in the hearts of those who are not shameless among the Israelites. <span class="cmt_word">That I sent</span>; rather, <span class="accented">whom I will send.</span> Israel's mediatorial office was not yet over. They were still, for above five hundred years, to be God's messenger to the nations. <span class="cmt_word">As he that is perfect</span>; rather, <span class="accented">as he that receives reward from me</span> (see <a href="/proverbs/11-31.htm">Proverbs 11:31</a>; <a href="/proverbs/13-13.htm">Proverbs 13:13</a>). The word used is connected etymologically with the Arabic <span class="accented">muslim</span> (our "Moslem"); but it does not appear to have had the sense of "surrender" or "submission" in Hebrew. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/42-19.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">Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is blind</span><br /><span class="heb">עִוֵּר֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘iw·wêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<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">but</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">My servant,</span><br /><span class="heb">עַבְדִּ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḇ·dî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or deaf</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחֵרֵ֖שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥê·rêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2795.htm">Strong's 2795: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deaf</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like the messenger</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּמַלְאָכִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kə·mal·’ā·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4397.htm">Strong's 4397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A messenger, of God, an angel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I am sending?</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶשְׁלָ֑ח</span> <span class="translit">(’eš·lāḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is blind</span><br /><span class="heb">עִוֵּר֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘iw·wêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<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">like My covenant partner,</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּמְשֻׁלָּ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(kim·šul·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7999.htm">Strong's 7999: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or blind</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעִוֵּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘iw·wêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<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">like the servant</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּעֶ֥בֶד</span> <span class="translit">(kə·‘e·ḇeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD?</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/42-19.htm">Isaiah 42:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/42-19.htm">Isaiah 42:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/42-19.htm">Isaiah 42:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/42-19.htm">Isaiah 42:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/42-19.htm">Isaiah 42:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/42-19.htm">Isaiah 42:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/42-19.htm">Isaiah 42:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/42-19.htm">Isaiah 42:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/42-19.htm">Isaiah 42:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/42-19.htm">Isaiah 42:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/42-19.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 42:19 Who is blind but my servant? (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 42:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 42:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/42-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 42:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 42:20" /></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>