Isaiah 44:18
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
Isaiah 44:18 in other translations
| BSB | They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. |
|---|---|
| WEB | They don’t know, neither do they consider, for he has shut their eyes, that they can’t see, and their hearts, that they can’t understand. |
| ASV | They know not, neither do they consider: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. |
| YLT | They have not known, nor do they understand, For He hath daubed their eyes from seeing, Their heart from acting wisely. |
| DARBY | They have no knowledge, and understand not; for he hath plastered their eyes, that they may not see; and their hearts, that they may not understand. |
| BBE | They have no knowledge or wisdom; for he has put a veil over their eyes, so that they may not see; and on their hearts, so that they may not give attention. |
| Webster | They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. |
What does Isaiah 44:18 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Isaiah 44:9-20
Image-making is described, to expose the folly of idolaters. Though a man had used part of a log for fuel, he fell down before an image made of the remainder, praying it to deliver him. Man greatly dishonours God, when he represents him after the image of man. Satan blinds the eyes of unbelievers, causing absurd reasonings in matters of religion. Whether men seek happiness in worldly things, or run into unbelief…
Isaiah 44:18 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Isaiah 44:18
- Isaiah 6:9-10
And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
- 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
- John 12:39-40
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath 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.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
- Jeremiah 5:21
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:
- Psalms 81:12
So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
- Proverbs 2:5-9
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. …
- Matthew 13:14-15
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: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
- Romans 1:21-23
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
- John 5:44
How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
- John 8:43
Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
- Isaiah 29:10
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.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9,20; 45:20; 46:7,8; Jer 10:8,14; Ro 1:21-23
for he hath.
6:10; 29:10; Ps 81:12; Mt 13:14,15; Ac 14:16; Ro 1:28; 11:8-10
2Co 4:3,4; 2Th 2:9-12
shut. Heb. daubed. cannot.
56:11; Ps 92:6; Pr 2:5-9; 28:5; Jer 5:21; Da 12:10; Ho 14:9
Mt 12:34; Joh 5:44; 8:43; 12:39,40; 2Pe 2:14
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Isaiah 44:17
And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.
- Isaiah 44:18
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
- Isaiah 44:19
And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
Isaiah 44:18 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | No supieron ni entendieron: porque encostrados están sus ojos para no ver, y su corazón para no entender. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Ils n’ont pas de connaissance et ne comprennent pas; car Il a couvert d’un enduit leurs yeux, en sorte qu’ils ne voient pas, et leurs cœurs, en sorte qu’ils ne comprennent pas. – |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Sie haben keine Erkenntnis und keine Einsicht; denn er hat ihre Augen verklebt, daß sie nicht sehen, und ihre Herzen, daß sie nicht verstehen. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Nescierunt, neque intellexerunt; obliti enim sunt ne videant oculi eorum, et ne intelligant corde suo. |