Bible Strands
Isaiah 42:20
Though seeing many things, you do not keep watch. Though your ears are open, you do not hear.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet addresses Israel, contrasting their spiritual insensitivity with the faithful roles assigned to God’s servant and covenant partner.
The words — The Hebrew תִשְׁמֹר (tishmor) means "you keep watch," paired with פָּקֳחַ (paqoach), "open," describing ears that are physically capable but functionally unresponsive.
The thread — This pattern of witnessing divine acts without heed appears in Deuteronomy 29:2, Numbers 14:22, and Deuteronomy 4:9, where repeated exposure to God’s works fails to produce obedience or remembrance.
Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment that physical perception does not guarantee spiritual attention, requiring readers to examine whether they merely observe God’s works without acting on them.
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
Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 29:2 Moses summoned all Israel and proclaimed to them, “You have seen with your own eyes everything the LORD did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials, and to all his land.
- Numbers 14:22 not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times—
- Deuteronomy 4:9 Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.
- Nehemiah 9:10 You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for Yourself that endures to this day.
- Psalms 106:7 Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindness; but they rebelled by the sea, there at the Red Sea.
- Psalms 107:43 Let him who is wise pay heed to these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD.
- Isaiah 1:3 The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”
- Isaiah 48:6 You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not acknowledge them? From now on I will tell you of new things, hidden things unknown to you.
- Isaiah 58:2 For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.”
- Jeremiah 6:10 To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.