Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

ISAIAH 46:12KJV
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Isaiah 46:12 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 46:12 mean?

Isaiah 46:12 is a call from God to people described as "stouthearted," meaning stubborn or hard of heart, who are far from living rightly. God urges these people to listen to Him because they are distant from the kind of righteousness He desires.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking God's words to the people of Israel, especially those who have become resistant or indifferent to God's ways. The situation is one where God is confronting those who have turned away from Him, warning them that their stubbornness has led them far from what is right. The verse sets up a contrast between God's call and the people's current spiritual state.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 46:12

  • "Hearken" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means to listen or pay close attention, not just to hear sounds but to truly take in and respond. God is not just asking for their ears, but for their willingness to consider and act on what He says.
  • "Stouthearted" (עֲצוּמֵי, ʿatsumei + לֵב, lev): This phrase combines the idea of being strong or mighty (ʿatsumei) with "heart" (lev), but here it points to people who are stubborn or set in their ways, not easily moved or changed.
  • "From" (רָחוֹק, rachoq): This word means "far" or "distant." It emphasizes that these people are not just a little off track; they are far away from the standard God sets.
  • "Righteousness" (צְדָקָה, tsedaqah): This term refers to what is right, just, or in line with God's standards. Being "far from righteousness" means being far from living in a way that pleases God.

Why Isaiah 46:12 matters

  • Isaiah 46:12 clarifies that the problem is not ignorance but a stubborn unwillingness to listen, highlighting the heart's attitude rather than just outward actions.
  • The verse shows that God still calls out to those who are far from Him, emphasizing His desire for people to return, even when they seem resistant.
  • In the wider context of Isaiah 46, this verse sets up the contrast between the powerless idols the people have trusted and the living God who still seeks their attention and response.

Where else these words appear

“stouthearted” Hebrew H47 · used in 17 verses

  • Judges 5:22 Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones.
  • Psalms 50:13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
  • Isaiah 34:7 And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.

“from” Hebrew H7350 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 22:4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:36 If they sin against thee,(for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;
  • Isaiah 33:13 Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.

“righteousness” Hebrew H6666 · used in 150 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • Psalms 103:6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
  • Isaiah 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.