They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

ISAIAH 44:18KJV
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Isaiah 44:18 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 44:18 mean?

Isaiah 44:18 says that some people do not know or understand because their ability to see and comprehend has been blocked, both in their eyes and their hearts. The verse points out that this lack of understanding is not just ignorance, but something deeper—an inability to perceive spiritual truth.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking about those who make and worship idols. Isaiah is explaining to the people of Israel that idol-makers are spiritually blind and unable to grasp the truth about God. The verse uses strong language to show that their blindness and lack of understanding are not accidental; their hearts and eyes are described as being "shut," which highlights the seriousness of their spiritual state.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 44:18

  • "known" (יָדַע, yada‘): This word means more than just having information; it often refers to a deep, experiential knowledge. Here, it shows that the people lack a real, personal understanding of God.
  • "understood" (בִּין, bin): This word means to discern or comprehend. The verse emphasizes that the people are not able to make sense of what is true.
  • "shut" (טָחַע, tacha‘): This word means to smear over or close up. The image is of eyes being deliberately covered so that sight is impossible, stressing that their blindness is thorough.
  • "hearts" (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of thought and will, not just emotion. Their inability to "understand" goes beyond feelings—it affects their whole inner life.

Why Isaiah 44:18 matters

  • Isaiah 44:18 clarifies that spiritual blindness is not just a lack of information, but a deep inability to perceive truth, affecting both mind and heart.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of idolatry in Isaiah’s message, showing that turning to idols leads to a kind of self-imposed blindness and confusion.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage, where Isaiah contrasts the living God with lifeless idols and urges the people to recognize the difference.

Where else these words appear

“hearts” Hebrew H3826 · used in 8 verses

  • Psalms 7:9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
  • Proverbs 15:11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
  • Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

“shut” Hebrew H2902 · used in 11 verses

  • Leviticus 14:42 And they shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other morter, and shall plaister the house.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:
  • Ezekiel 13:12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

“understand” Hebrew H7919 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
  • Psalms 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
  • Proverbs 21:11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.