Isaiah 42:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 42:23 presents a poignant rhetorical question from God, challenging the spiritually dull and unresponsive people of Israel to genuinely heed His warnings and instruction. It serves as an urgent divine plea for attentiveness and understanding, urging them to consider the long-term implications of their spiritual apathy and to learn from past failures, particularly concerning the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and judgment for the future.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the second major section of Isaiah (chapters 40-55), often referred to as the "Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah," which focuses on God's deliverance of Israel from Babylonian exile and the promise of a future glorious restoration. Chapter 42 specifically introduces the first of the "Servant Songs" ([Isaiah 42:1-4](/isaiah/42-1 "Isaiah 42:1-4 - The First Servant Song")), portraying the Lord's chosen Servant who will bring justice to the nations. However, immediately following this hopeful vision of the Servant's mission, the prophet abruptly shifts to lament Israel's spiritual blindness and deafness (e.g., [Isaiah 42:18-20](/isaiah/42-18 "Isaiah 42:18-20 - Israel's Blindness and Deafness")). Despite being the recipient of divine revelation and the witness to God's mighty acts, Israel has become unresponsive, leading to their current state of being plundered and trapped ([Isaiah 42:22](/isaiah/42-22 "Isaiah 42:22 - Israel Plundered and Trapped")). Verse 23, then, functions as a direct, exasperated call from God, asking who among them will finally awaken to their spiritual reality and the consequences "for the time to come."

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Isaiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings from Uzziah to Hezekiah (c. 740-681 BC). While the immediate historical backdrop for chapters 40-55 often points to the Babylonian exile (which occurred much later), the prophet, inspired by God, speaks both to his contemporary audience and to future generations. The cultural context emphasizes the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, where obedience to God's voice was paramount, as articulated in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). The people's failure to "give ear" and "hearken" was not merely a passive oversight but an active rejection of their covenant responsibilities, leading to the judgments described, such as the plundering and scattering by foreign powers. The rhetorical question in verse 23 underscores the deep-seated spiritual malaise that had afflicted the nation for generations, despite repeated prophetic warnings.

* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 42:23 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Isaiah. It powerfully highlights the theme of **Spiritual Blindness and Deafness**, contrasting Israel's unresponsiveness with the Servant's perfect obedience. Despite being God's chosen people and having access to divine truth, they are depicted as spiritually incapacitated (e.g., [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - The Hardening of Israel's Heart")). This verse also underscores the **Call to Hear and Obey**, a foundational biblical theme echoing the Shema ([Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - Hear, O Israel")). The repeated verbs for listening are not just about physical hearing but about active, obedient reception of God's word. Furthermore, the phrase "for the time to come" introduces the theme of **Foresight and Future Consequences**, urging the audience to consider the long-term ramifications of their present choices and to learn from the lessons of history and prophecy. Finally, the very act of God posing this question, despite their persistent unresponsiveness, demonstrates His **Divine Patience and Persistent Warning**, revealing His enduring desire for His people to repent and turn back to Him before further judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ear (Hebrew, _ʼâzan'_):** From H238, a primitive root meaning "to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen; give (perceive by the) ear, hear(-ken)." This word suggests an intentional, active posture of listening, as if physically cupping one's ear to catch every sound. It implies a deliberate effort to pay attention and perceive.
* **hearken (Hebrew, _qâshab'_):** From H7181, a primitive root meaning "to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken; attend, (cause to) hear(-ken), give heed, incline, mark (well), regard." This term emphasizes an attentive, focused listening, akin to an animal pricking its ears to catch a faint sound. It denotes a readiness to receive and respond, giving careful consideration.
* **hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, a primitive root meaning "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)." This is the broadest of the listening verbs, encompassing not just physical perception but also understanding, internalizing, and, crucially, obeying. It implies a transformative encounter with what is heard.
* **time to come (Hebrew, _ʼâchôwr'_):** From H268, meaning "the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West; after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-) hind(-er part), time to come, without." In this context, it refers to the future, what lies ahead, emphasizing the long-term consequences and the unfolding of events yet to occur.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who among you will give ear to this?"**: This opening clause is a rhetorical question, challenging the audience to consider their own spiritual state. The phrase "give ear" (using _ʼâzan_ and _qâshab_) implies a deliberate and attentive listening, a posture of readiness to receive instruction. "To this" refers to the preceding divine pronouncements, particularly God's judgment on Israel's blindness and the promise of the Servant's work. It's a call for self-examination and a recognition of their spiritual deficiency.
* **"[who] will hearken and hear for the time to come?"**: This second clause intensifies the challenge, repeating and expanding on the call to listen. "Hearken" (using _qâshab_) emphasizes careful, focused attention, while "hear" (using _shâmaʻ_) implies not just perception but understanding and, most importantly, obedience. The crucial addition "for the time to come" shifts the focus from immediate perception to future implications. It urges them to learn from past mistakes and present warnings, understanding that their current choices will have profound consequences for their future and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. It's a plea for foresight and wisdom.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 42:23 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, which serves not to elicit an answer but to provoke deep introspection and challenge the audience's spiritual apathy. By asking "Who among you...?" God forces the listener to confront their own unresponsiveness. The verse also utilizes **Repetition** and **Synonymy** with the cluster of verbs related to hearing ("give ear," "hearken," "hear"). This emphatic reiteration underscores the profound importance of truly receiving and responding to God's message, moving beyond mere physical perception to intelligent comprehension and obedient action. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** present, as God's chosen people, who were meant to be His witnesses and light to the nations, are depicted as blind and deaf, needing to be called to listen to the very truths they should embody.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 42:23 is a profound theological statement on the human condition of spiritual deafness and God's persistent call for responsive faith. It highlights the divine expectation that revelation should lead to recognition and obedience, not indifference. The "time to come" speaks to God's sovereign plan unfolding through history, where human choices have eternal ramifications. The verse underscores that true hearing involves not just intellectual assent but a transformative engagement with God's word that impacts one's future. It is a timeless reminder that while God speaks, humanity bears the responsibility to listen and respond.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema: Hear, O Israel")
* [Matthew 13:13-15](/matthew/13-13 "Matthew 13:13-15 - Parables and Spiritual Blindness")
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Doers of the Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 42:23 serves as a timeless mirror, reflecting our own spiritual attentiveness and responsiveness to God's voice in a world saturated with noise and distractions. It challenges us to move beyond superficial listening to a deep, transformative engagement with divine truth. Are we truly "giving ear" to the Holy Spirit's promptings, the wisdom of Scripture, and the counsel of godly community? Or are we, like ancient Israel, prone to spiritual deafness, allowing apathy or busyness to dull our spiritual senses? The call to "hearken and hear for the time to come" urges us to cultivate a posture of foresight, recognizing that our present choices of obedience or disobedience have profound implications for our future, both temporal and eternal. It compels us to learn from the past, heed present warnings, and proactively align our lives with God's will, ensuring we are not caught unprepared for what lies ahead.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually deaf or unresponsive to God's voice?**
* **How can I cultivate a more intentional and obedient posture of "giving ear" and "hearkening" to God's word daily?**
* **What are the "times to come" that this verse prompts me to consider in light of my present choices and spiritual walk?**

### FAQ
**What does "for the time to come" mean in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "for the time to come" (Hebrew: _ʼâchôwr_) refers to the future or what lies ahead. In the context of Isaiah 42:23, it emphasizes the long-term implications and consequences of Israel's spiritual responsiveness (or lack thereof). God is urging them to consider that their present choices and their willingness to "give ear" and "hearken" will directly impact their future, including the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, their restoration, or continued judgment. It's a call to learn from history and prophetic warnings to shape a better future.

**Why does God use so many different words for "hear" in this one verse?**

Answer: The repetition of verbs for listening—"give ear" (_ʼâzan_), "hearken" (_qâshab_), and "hear" (_shâmaʻ_)—is a powerful literary and theological device known as synonymy or intensification. It underscores the profound importance and multifaceted nature of true hearing. It's not merely about physically perceiving sound; it's about active, intentional attention (_ʼâzan_), careful and focused consideration (_qâshab_), and ultimately, intelligent comprehension leading to obedience (_shâmaʻ_). This triple emphasis highlights God's earnest desire for His people to move beyond passive hearing to a deep, transformative engagement with His divine truth, which includes both understanding and responding in faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 42:23, with its lament over Israel's spiritual deafness, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, the perfect Servant of the Lord. While Israel failed to "give ear" and "hearken" to God's voice, Jesus perfectly embodied responsive obedience. He consistently declared, "I do nothing on my own but only what I see the Father doing" ([John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - Jesus' Obedience to the Father")), and "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Mission")). Furthermore, Jesus himself became the ultimate "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation of the Word")), the very message that humanity is called to hear. His parables often concluded with the admonition, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" ([Matthew 13:9](/matthew/13-9 "Matthew 13:9 - Call to Hear")), directly addressing the spiritual blindness and deafness that Isaiah lamented. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus opens the ears and eyes of those who were spiritually unresponsive, enabling them to "hearken and hear for the time to come"—that is, to grasp the profound implications of God's redemptive plan for their eternal future. His resurrection and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit empower believers to truly hear and obey, transforming the heart of stone into a heart of flesh, fulfilling the new covenant promise of God's law written on their hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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!