And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
And in that day {H3117} shall the deaf {H2795} hear {H8085} the words {H1697} of the book {H5612}, and the eyes {H5869} of the blind {H5787} shall see {H7200} out of obscurity {H652}, and out of darkness {H2822}.
On that day the deaf will hear the words of a book, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.
On that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of the deep darkness the eyes of the blind will see.
And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
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Isaiah 35:5
¶ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. -
Matthew 11:5
The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. -
Proverbs 20:12
¶ The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. -
Psalms 119:18
¶ Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. -
Isaiah 32:3
And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. -
Mark 7:37
And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. -
Ephesians 1:17
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Isaiah 29:18 is a prophetic verse that speaks of a profound spiritual transformation and enlightenment, often seen in the context of God's future redemptive work. It contrasts sharply with the spiritual dullness and blindness described earlier in the chapter, promising a day when understanding will replace ignorance.
Context
Chapter 29 of Isaiah primarily addresses Jerusalem, referred to as 'Ariel,' pronouncing judgment upon the city for its spiritual apathy, hypocrisy, and reliance on human wisdom rather than God's revelation. Verses 9-14 describe a state of spiritual stupor and blindness, where God's prophets and seers are like a sealed book. However, amidst this condemnation, God promises a future day of dramatic change. Verse 18 is part of this hopeful turning point, envisioning a time when the spiritual disabilities that afflicted the people will be miraculously healed, leading to true understanding and discernment.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew words for "obscurity" (choshek) and "darkness" (afelāh) are strong terms that emphasize the profound depth of the spiritual ignorance and confusion from which the people will be delivered. Choshek generally refers to literal darkness, while afelāh often denotes a deeper, more oppressive gloom, sometimes associated with divine judgment or utter hopelessness. Their combined use underscores the magnitude of the promised enlightenment.
Related Scriptures
This prophecy has significant resonance throughout the Bible. The imagery of healing the deaf and blind is powerfully echoed in the ministry of Jesus Christ, who literally healed those with physical ailments, but more importantly, opened the eyes of the spiritually blind to the truth of God's Kingdom. For instance, Matthew 11:5 lists "the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear" as signs of His Messiahship, directly fulfilling prophecies like Isaiah 29:18. The concept of spiritual blindness is also addressed by the Apostle Paul, who speaks of how the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. Isaiah 29:18 offers the hopeful counter-promise of divine intervention to remove such spiritual impediments. The "words of the book" emphasize the centrality of God's revelation. The Bible itself is often referred to as a source of light and guidance, as seen in Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." This verse points to a future where God's word will be fully understood and embraced, a theme also found in prophecies of the new covenant where God's law would be written on hearts.
Reflection and Practical Application
Isaiah 29:18 serves as a powerful reminder of God's desire for His people to truly know and understand Him. For us today, it highlights:
Ultimately, Isaiah 29:18 is a promise of divine grace—that God Himself will act to remove spiritual barriers, enabling His people to truly hear and see His glorious truth.