Bible Strands
Isaiah 46:12
Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness:
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Yahweh addresses the house of Jacob, specifically labeling them stubborn and distant from righteousness, immediately after declaring His sovereign plan to fulfill His purpose through a summoned agent.
The words — The Hebrew אַבִּירֵי לֵב ('a.bi.rei lev) literally translates to "mighty of heart," describing the audience's stubborn resolve, while הָרְחוֹקִים מִצְדָקָה (ha.re.cho.kim mi.tze.da.kah) denotes those "distant from righteousness."
The thread — This theme of spiritual distance appears in Jeremiah 2:5 and finds its reversal in Ephesians 2:13, where believers once far away are brought near through Christ.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate attention from those who consider themselves self-sufficient, redirecting their focus from their own distance to the imminent arrival of divine righteousness and salvation.
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
Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 2:5 This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me? They followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves.
- Isaiah 46:3 “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.
- Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
- Psalms 49:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,
- Psalms 76:5 The valiant lie plundered; they sleep their last sleep. No men of might could lift a hand.
- Psalms 119:150 Those who follow after wickedness draw near; they are far from Your law.
- Psalms 119:155 Salvation is far from the wicked because they do not seek Your statutes.
- Proverbs 1:22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?
- Proverbs 8:1 Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice?
- Isaiah 28:23 Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say.