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Isaiah 29:18

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 29:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
Isaiah 29:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 29

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15Woe unto them that hide deep their counsel from Jehovah, and whose works are in the dark, and that say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
16Ye turn things upside down! Shall the potter be esteemed as clay; that the thing made should say of him that made it, He made me not; or the thing formed say of him that formed it, He hath no understanding?
17Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
18And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
19The meek also shall increase their joy in Jehovah, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
20For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scoffer ceaseth, and all they that watch for iniquity are cut off;
21that make a man an offender in [his] cause, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just with a thing of nought.
← Isaiah 29:17Isaiah 29:19 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, &c.] That is, in the Gospel day, or times of the Gospel dispensation, when that should be preached to the Gentiles; who before were deaf, but now should be made to hear, and be willing to hear, and hear so as to understand the doctrines contained in the Scriptures, the prophecies of them concerning the Messiah; even the words of that book that is sealed to the Jews, and could not be read, neither by the learned nor unlearned among them; but should be both read, heard, and understood, by the Gentiles, having ears given them to hear the Gospel, to receive its doctrines, and obey its ordinances: and the eyes of the blind shall see out…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“deaf . . . blind--(Compare Mat 11:5). The spiritually blind, &c., are chiefly meant; "the book," as Revelation is called pre-eminently, shall be no longer "sealed," as is described (Isa 29:11), but the most unintelligent shall hear and see (Isa 35:5).”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Shall see - Being, by God's grace, brought out of gross, ignorance and wickedness, unto a clear and saving knowledge of the truth. Isaiah 29:19”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“29:18 The people were deaf and blind in heart and spirit (see 6:10; 42:18; 43:8). Yet humanity and all of creation would be renewed (see 35:1-5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the deaf: Isa 29:10-12, Isa 29:24, Isa 35:5, Isa 42:16-18; Deu 29:4; Psa 119:18; Pro 20:12; Jer 31:33, Jer 31:34; Mat 11:5, Mat 13:14-16, Mat 16:17; Mar 7:37; Luk 4:18, Luk 7:22; Joh 6:45; Act 26:18; Co2 3:14-18, Co2 4:2-6; Eph 1:17-19, Eph 5:14; Pe1 2:9; Rev 3:18 Isaiah 29:19”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification