Isaiah 42:23

Who among you will give ear to this? [who] will hearken and hear for the time to come?

Who among you will give ear {H238} to this? who will hearken {H7181} and hear {H8085} for the time to come {H268}?

Which of you will listen to this? Who will hear and give heed in the times to come?

Who among you will pay attention to this? Who will listen and obey hereafter?

Who is there among you that will give ear to this? that will hearken and hear for the time to come?

Commentary

Isaiah 42:23 (KJV) asks a profound, rhetorical question, challenging the people of Israel to truly heed God's message for their present and future. It serves as a poignant call to attention amidst their spiritual apathy.

Context

This verse is situated within a significant section of Isaiah's prophecy. Chapter 42 begins with the first of the Servant Songs, introducing the Lord's chosen Servant (often understood as the Messiah) who will bring justice and light to the nations. However, immediately following this glorious vision, the prophet pivots sharply to lament Israel's spiritual condition. Verses 18-22 describe Israel as blind and deaf, despite being God's chosen people, leading to their being plundered and trapped. Verse 23 is a direct plea from God, asking who among them will finally listen and learn from their past failures and the divine warnings, especially concerning the consequences "for the time to come."

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Apathy and Blindness: The verse highlights the deep-seated spiritual insensitivity of God's people, who, despite being exposed to divine truth, fail to grasp its significance. This theme resonates with earlier warnings about hearts becoming dull and ears heavy.
  • The Call to Hear and Obey: "Give ear," "hearken," and "hear" are emphatic calls for active, obedient listening. It's not merely about physically perceiving sound, but about internalizing and responding to God's word. This echoes the foundational command to "Hear, O Israel" (Shema Yisrael).
  • Foresight and Future Consequences: The phrase "for the time to come" emphasizes the long-term implications of their choices. God is urging them to consider the future ramifications of their present disobedience and to learn from history.
  • Divine Patience and Warning: Despite their persistent unresponsiveness, God continues to call out, demonstrating His enduring patience and desire for His people to turn back to Him before further judgment ensues.

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of verbs for listening is significant: "give ear" (Hebrew: qashab, to attend carefully), "hearken" (Hebrew: ha'azin, to listen intently), and "hear" (Hebrew: shama', to hear, listen, and obey). This triple emphasis underscores the profound importance of truly receiving and responding to God's message. It's not a casual listening but a deep, attentive, and obedient engagement with divine truth.

Practical Application

Isaiah 42:23 serves as a timeless challenge for believers today. In a world full of distractions and competing voices, it prompts us to ask ourselves:

  • Am I truly "giving ear" to God's word, or am I spiritually deaf to His promptings?
  • Am I "hearkening and hearing" not just for intellectual understanding, but for transformative obedience in my daily life?
  • Am I considering "the time to come"—the eternal implications and future consequences of my present choices and my response to God's truth?

This verse is a powerful reminder to cultivate a heart that is attentive and responsive to God's voice, learning from the past and preparing for the future by living in accordance with His will, much like the wise builder who hears and acts on Christ's words.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 3:22

    For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

  • Acts 3:23

    And it shall come to pass, [that] every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

  • Isaiah 48:18

    O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

  • Jeremiah 3:13

    Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 3:4

    Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou [art] the guide of my youth?

  • Jeremiah 3:7

    And I said after she had done all these [things], Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw [it].

  • Deuteronomy 32:29

    O that they were wise, [that] they understood this, [that] they would consider their latter end!
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