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

ISAIAH 42:23KJV
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Isaiah 42:23 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 42:23 mean?

Isaiah 42:23 asks who among the people will truly listen and pay attention to what is being said, especially with regard to what will happen in the future. The verse is a call for someone to take these warnings seriously and understand their importance.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the people of Israel on God’s behalf. The situation is one where the people have been ignoring God’s messages and warnings. Isaiah is challenging his listeners to not just hear the words, but to really listen and grasp what they mean for the days ahead.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 42:23

  • The word for "ear" is אָזֶן (’ozen), which means more than just the physical ear; it often points to the willingness or readiness to listen carefully.
  • "Hearken" comes from קָשַׁב (qashav), which means to pay close attention or to listen with intent, not just passively hearing.
  • "Hear" is שָׁמַע (shama’), a common Hebrew word that means to hear, but also to obey or respond to what is heard.
  • "Come" is אָחֲרוֹן (’acharon), which refers to what is coming after, or the future. Here, it highlights that the message is not just about the present, but about what is ahead.

Why Isaiah 42:23 matters

  • This verse makes it clear that God’s message is not just for the people’s current situation, but also for their future, urging them to consider the long-term consequences of ignoring God.
  • The verse highlights the difference between simply hearing words and truly listening with understanding and intent to act, which is a recurring theme in Isaiah.
  • It connects to the wider passage by showing that God’s warnings and promises require a response; the people’s lack of attention is part of why they face trouble, and Isaiah is urging them to break that pattern.

Where else these words appear

“ear” Hebrew H238 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
  • Job 37:14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
  • Psalms 140:6 I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

“come” Hebrew H268 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 49:17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
  • Psalms 44:10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.
  • Isaiah 41:23 Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.

“hearken” Hebrew H7181 · used in 45 verses

  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
  • Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
  • Isaiah 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.