Isaiah 42:23
Isaiah 42:23 in Multiple Translations
Who among you will pay attention to this? Who will listen and obey hereafter?
Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
Who is there among you that will give ear to this? that will hearken and hear for the time to come?
Who is there among you who will give ear to this? who will give attention to it for the time to come?
Who of you is going to listen to this, or pay attention later on?
Who among you shall hearken to this, and take heede, and heare for afterwardes?
Who among you giveth ear [to] this? Attendeth, and heareth afterwards.
Who is there among you who will give ear to this? Who will listen and hear for the time to come?
Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken, and hear for the time to come?
Who is there among you that will give ear to this, that will attend and hearken for times to come?
Who among you will listen carefully to these things? Who will pay attention from now on?
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 42:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 42:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מִ֥י
בָ/כֶ֖ם
יַאֲזִ֣ין
זֹ֑את
יַקְשִׁ֥ב
וְ/יִשְׁמַ֖ע
לְ/אָחֽוֹר
מִ֥י
mîy
H4310
who?
Part
בָ/כֶ֖ם
Prep | Suff
יַאֲזִ֣ין
ʼâzan
H238
to listen
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
זֹ֑את
zôʼth
H2063
this
Pron
יַקְשִׁ֥ב
qâshab
H7181
to listen
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
וְ/יִשְׁמַ֖ע
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לְ/אָחֽוֹר
ʼâchôwr
H268
back
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 42:23
מִ֥י
mîy
H4310
"who?"
Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
בָ/כֶ֖ם
""
Prep | Suff
יַאֲזִ֣ין
ʼâzan
H238
"to listen"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
To listen or hear is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often implying obedience or paying attention to what is being said, as in 1 Kings 3:9.
Definition: 1) to hear, listen 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to hear, listen, give ear 1a2) to be obedient, harken 1a3) to hear or listen to prayers (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: give (perceive by the) ear, hear(-ken). See H239 (אָזַן). See also: Genesis 4:23; Psalms 77:2; Psalms 5:2.
זֹ֑את
zôʼth
H2063
"this"
Pron
This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 570 OT verses. KJV: hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. See also: Genesis 2:23; Numbers 7:88; Judges 1:27.
יַקְשִׁ֥ב
qâshab
H7181
"to listen"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
To listen carefully is what this Hebrew word means, like pricking up your ears to hear something. It's used in many Bible verses, including Proverbs and Isaiah, to encourage people to pay attention. The KJV translates it as 'attend' or 'hear'.
Definition: 1) to hear, be attentive, heed, incline (of ears), attend (of ears), hearken, pay attention, listen 1a) (Qal) incline, attend (of ears), hearken, pay attention, listen 1b) (Hiphil) to pay attention, give attention
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: attend, (cause to) hear(-ken), give heed, incline, mark (well), regard. See also: 1 Samuel 15:22; Song of Solomon 8:13; Psalms 5:3.
וְ/יִשְׁמַ֖ע
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
לְ/אָחֽוֹר
ʼâchôwr
H268
"back"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the back or rear side of something. It can also refer to a location or direction, like the West. In Genesis, it describes the back of the Tabernacle.
Definition: 1) the back side, the rear 1a) backwards 1b) hereafter (of time) 1c) behind
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-) hind(-er part), time to come, without. See also: Genesis 49:17; Psalms 129:5; Psalms 9:4.
Study Notes — Isaiah 42:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 42:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 42:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 42:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 42:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 42:23
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 42:23
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 42:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 42:23
- Sermons on Isaiah 42:23
Context — Israel Is Deaf and Blind
21The LORD was pleased, for the sake of His righteousness, to magnify His law and make it glorious.
22But this is a people plundered and looted, all trapped in caves or imprisoned in dungeons. They have become plunder with no one to rescue them, and loot with no one to say, “Send them back!”
23Who among you will pay attention to this? Who will listen and obey hereafter?
24Who gave Jacob up for spoil, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned? They were unwilling to walk in His ways, and they would not obey His law. 25So He poured out on them His furious anger and the fierceness of battle. It enveloped them in flames, but they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acts 3:22–23 | For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He tells you. Everyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people. ’ |
| 2 | Isaiah 48:18 | If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 32:29 | If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 4:29–31 | But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers, which He swore to them by oath. |
| 5 | Isaiah 1:18–20 | “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. |
| 6 | Leviticus 26:40–42 | But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember My covenant with Jacob and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 3:13 | Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’” declares the LORD. |
| 8 | Acts 3:19 | Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, |
| 9 | Jeremiah 3:4–7 | Have you not just called to Me, ‘My Father, You are my friend from youth. Will He be angry forever? Will He be indignant to the end?’ This you have spoken, but you keep doing all the evil you can.” Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there. I thought that after she had done all these things, she would return to Me. But she did not return, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. |
| 10 | Proverbs 1:22–23 | “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. |
Isaiah 42:23 Summary
Isaiah 42:23 is a call to attention and obedience from God, who wants us to listen to His words and follow His commands. This means being mindful of His presence and guidance in our lives, and being willing to obey Him, even when it's hard. As it says in Jeremiah 29:13, when we seek God with all our heart, we will find Him. By paying attention to God's words and obeying Him, we can experience a deeper relationship with Him and live a more fulfilling life, as promised in Psalm 119:2, where we are blessed when we keep His testimonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Isaiah 42:23 and why is God asking these questions?
God is speaking to the Israelites, who have been plundered and looted, and are trapped in their sins, as described in Isaiah 42:22, and He is calling them to attention and obedience, as seen in Isaiah 42:21 where He magnifies His law.
Why is it important to pay attention to God's words and obey Him?
Paying attention to God's words and obeying Him is crucial because it determines our spiritual well-being and relationship with Him, as stated in Deuteronomy 30:19, where we are to choose life by obeying God's commands.
How can we apply Isaiah 42:23 to our lives today?
We can apply this verse by being attentive to God's voice through the Bible and the Holy Spirit, and obeying His commands, just as Jesus taught in John 14:15, where He says that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments.
What are the consequences of not listening and obeying God's words?
The consequences of not listening and obeying God's words can be severe, as seen in Isaiah 42:25, where God pours out His furious anger on those who refuse to obey Him, and as warned in Romans 6:23, where the wages of sin is death.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to pay attention to God's words and obey Him?
- How can I cultivate a listening heart and be more attentive to God's voice in my daily life?
- What are some obstacles that prevent me from obeying God's commands, and how can I overcome them?
- In what ways can I demonstrate my love and obedience to God, as Jesus taught in John 14:15?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 42:23
Who among you will give ear to this?.... To this prophecy of your destruction, and to what follows concerning it: who will hearken and hear for the time to come? and receive instruction from hence, and repent and reform?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 42:23
Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? (Who) will hearken, and hear for the time to come?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 42:23
Oh that you would learn from your former and dear bought experiences to be wiser for the future, and not to provoke God to your own total and final ruin!
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 42:23
Isaiah 42:23 Who among you will give ear to this? [who] will hearken and hear for the time to come?Ver. 23. Who among you will give ear to this?] Magna nimirum haec sunt, sed paucis persuasa. We shall have much ado to make you believe these things, though your liberties, lives, and souls lie upon it.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 42:23
23. The question expresses the prophet’s wish that now at last some of the people should begin to realise the significance of their relation to Jehovah, and prepare themselves for the great deliverance. will give ear to this] i.e. to the substance of the present exhortation,—the contrast between the ideal calling of Israel and its present position, its failure to realise its mission, and (especially) the reason of that failure (Isaiah 42:24 f.). for the time to come] in contrast to past disobedience. It is evident that the prophet expects the mission of Israel to be realised by a conversion of the nation. The process of that conversion is powerfully described in ch. 53.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 42:23
Who among you will give ear to this? - Who is there in the nation that will be so warned by the judgments of God, that he will attend to the lessons which he designs to teach, and reform his life, and return to him?
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 42:23
Sec. 3. GOD’S WITH ISRAEL, Isaiah 42:17 to Isaiah 44:5.The controversy with heathendom closed. Its period is from Abraham’s call ideally to the last triumph of Messiah. The message is now again to Israel.
Sermons on Isaiah 42:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Who by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of freedom and how it is not truly attainable in society. He uses the analogy of two buns on a park bench to illustrate that even |
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The Fourth Tabernacle by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of the fourth tabernacle and its significance for believers. The fourth tabernacle represents the last dwelling place of God on ea |
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(Through the Bible) Deuteronomy 17-20 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Moses is giving his final instructions to the children of Israel before his death. He emphasizes the importance of offering sacrifices that are valuable and not cas |
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(Through the Bible) Acts 3-4 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker begins by offering a blessing to the audience, asking for the Lord's presence and protection. He emphasizes the importance of being a true witness for J |
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Ger-05 Israel's Predicament by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the issue of God's glory and his governance over creation. He shares a personal experience of visiting a plant where F-16 fighter bombers ar |
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The Radical Character of Paul's Discipleship by Dennis Kinlaw | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of giving our full attention to God during church services. He highlights that the most important person in our midst is the L |
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Hebrews 3:1-6 by Don McClure | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the encounter of two disciples with Jesus after his resurrection. Jesus explains to them the significance of his suffering and death, startin |