Bible Strands
Isaiah 32:3
Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet Isaiah addresses Judah regarding the coming reign of a righteous king who will provide shelter and stability. The declaration follows promises of refuge and precedes a description of renewed perception and speech.
The words — The Hebrew תִשְׁעֶ֖ינָה (tish‘enāh) literally means “they will gaze,” while תִּקְשַֽבְנָה (tiqšāḇenāh) translates as “they will pay attention.” These verbs mark a shift from passive observation to deliberate perception.
The thread — The motif of restored perception runs through Isaiah 29:18, where the deaf hear and the blind see, and Isaiah 35:5, where blind eyes open and deaf ears unstop. It also appears in Acts 26:18, which links opened eyes to turning from darkness to light.
Why it lands — The text states that those who normally see and hear will stop being closed off and will actually listen. It requires the reader to examine whether their own perception has become passive or deliberately engaged.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 29:18 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.
- Isaiah 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
- Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- 1 John 2:20 You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
- Isaiah 29:24 Then the wayward in spirit will come to understanding, and those who grumble will accept instruction.”
- Isaiah 54:13 Then all your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their prosperity.
- Mark 7:37 The people were utterly astonished and said, “He has done all things well! He makes even the deaf hear and the mute speak!”
- Isaiah 30:26 The light of the moon will be as bright as the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter—like the light of seven days—on the day that the LORD binds up the brokenness of His people and heals the wounds He has inflicted.
- Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.