Isaiah 46:12

“Hearken unto me, ye stout hearted, &c.] This is not an address to the Chaldeans, as Kimchi and others think, who were merciless and cruel to the Jews, and far from doing that which was right unto them, but oppressed them, and would not let them go; but to the Jews themselves, at least to the wicked and profligate among them, who were always a stouthearted, stiffnecked, and a rebellious people; and even those who made more presences to religion were only self-righteous, and were far from true righteousness. The whole may be applied to all persons destitute of the grace of God, professors or profane, who are stout or stubborn hearted; have hard and impenitent hearts; proud and haughty in their…”

“stout-hearted--stubborn in resisting God (Psa 76:5; Act 7:51). far from righteousness-- (Isa 59:9; Hab 2:4).”

“Hearken unto me - This is designed to call the attention of the skeptical and unbelieving Jews to the important truth which he was delivering. Many among them might be disposed to say that the fulfillment was delayed, and he therefore calls upon them to attend particularly to his solemn declarations. Ye stout-hearted - The phrase ‘stout-hearted’ would naturally, denote those who were bold and courageous. But here it evidently means those whose hearts were strong against God; who nerved themselves to resist and oppose his plans and government; who were stubborn and rebellious. return to 'Top of Page'”

“46:12 Formerly, Israel cared little for doing right (literally righteousness; see also 58:2; 59:9).”

“Hearken: Isa 46:3, Isa 28:23, Isa 45:20; Psa 49:1; Pro 1:22, Pro 1:23, Pro 8:1-5; Eph 5:14; Rev 3:17, Rev 3:18 ye stouthearted: Isa 48:4; Psa 76:5; Zac 7:11, Zac 7:12; Mal 3:13-15; Act 7:51 that: Psa 119:150, Psa 119:155; Jer 2:5; Eph 2:13 Isaiah 46:13”

“A third admonition is addressed to the forts esprits in Isa 46:12, Isa 46:13. "Hearken to me, ye strong-hearted, that are far from righteousness! I have brought my righteousness near; it is not far off, and my salvation tarrieth not: and I give salvation in Zion, my glory to Israel." All that is called in Hellenic and Hellenistic νοῦς λόγος συνείδησις θυμός, is comprehended in καρδία; and everything by which bâsâr and nephesh are affected comes into the light of consciousness in the heart (Psychol. p. 251). According to this biblico-psychological idea, לב אבּיתי may signify either the courageous ( Psa 76:6), or, as in this instance, the strong-minded; but as a synonym of לב סהזקי (…”