Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 44:18
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; [and] their hearts, that they cannot understand.
18 20. But such is the infatuation of idolatry, that its blinded votaries never pause to reflect on their actions; the idolater has not sense enough to say to himself in plain words what he has done.
They have not understood ] Better, as R.V. they know not, neither do they consider. he hath shut their eyes ] Rather: their eyes are besmeared, as it were plastered over, so that they cannot see (a different verb, however, from that used by Isaiah in Isa 6:10, &c.).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They have not known nor understood – They are stupid, ignorant, and blind. Nothing could more strikingly show their ignorance and stupidity than this idol worship.
He hath shut their eyes – God hath closed their eyes. Margin, Daubed. The word used here, tah from tuah denotes properly to spread over; to besmear; to plaster; as, e. g., a wall with mortar Lev 14:42; 1Ch 29:4; Eze 13:10; Eze 22:28. Here it means to cover over the eyes so as to prevent vision; and hence, metaphorically, to make them stupid, ignorant, dull. It is attributed to God in accordance with the common statement of the Scriptures, that he does what he permits to be done (see the notes at Isa 6:9-10). It does not mean that God had done it by any physical, or direct agency, but that it had occurred under the administration of his Providence. It is also true that the Hebrew writers sometimes employ an active verb when the signification is passive, and when the main idea is, that anything was in fact done. Here the main point is not the agent by which this was done, but the fact that their eyes were blinded – and perhaps all the force of the verb tah used here would be expressed if it was rendered in an impersonal, or in a passive form, it is covered as to their eyes, that is, their eyes are shut, without suggesting that it was done by God. So the Septuagint renders it, Apemaurothesan – They are blind, or involved in darkness.
So the Chaldee, metmeteman (also in the plural) – Their eyes are obscured or blind. It cannot be proved from this text that God is, by direct agency, the author by whom it was done. It was not uncommon to shut up, or seal up the eyes for various purposes in the East, and unquestionably the prophet alludes to some such custom. It is one of the solemnities at a Jewish wedding at Aleppo, according to Dr. Russell, who mentions it as the most remarkable thing in their ceremonies at that time. It is done by fastening the eyelids together with a gum, and the bridegroom is the person, he says, if he remembered right, that opens the brides eyes at the appointed time. It is also used as a punishment in those countries. So Sir Thomas Roes chaplain, in his account of his voyages to East India, tells us of a son of the Great Mogul, whom he had seen, and with whom Sir Thomas had conversed, that had before that time been cast into prison by his father, where his eyes were sealed up, by something put before them, which might not be taken off for three years; after which time the seal was taken away, that he might with freedom enjoy the light, though not his liberty. (Harmers Obs. vol. iii., pp. 507, 508. Ed. Lond. 8vo, 1808.)
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 18. He hath shut their eyes – “Their eyes are closed up”] The Septuagint, Chaldee, and Vulgate, for tach, read , tachu. See Clarke on Isa 6:10.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They have not known or understood: this showeth that they want common discretion, and have not the understanding of a man in them. He, to wit, God; who is easily understood, and is oft expressed by this pronoun he; and to whom this very act is frequently ascribed in other places of Scripture. And therefore men need not to be shy in ascribing it to God here. Which yet is to be soberly understood; not as if God did make men wicked, but only permits them so to be, and orders and overrules their wickedness to his own glorious ends. And such passages as these are added in such cases to give an account of the prodigious madness of sinners herein; because, as they wilfully shut their own eyes, and harden their own hearts, so God judicially blinds and hardens them, and sends strong delusions upon them, and gives them up to believe lies, and then it is no wonder if they fall into such dotages.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
18. he, c.God hath given themover to judicial blindness not His direct physical, but Hisprovidential agency in administering His moral government, is meant(Isa 6:9; Isa 6:10).”Shut,” literally, “daubed,” plastered up; it isan Eastern custom in some cases to seal up the eyes of offenders.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
They have not known nor understood,…. Who the true God is, nor the worship that is due to him alone; they do not know nor understand divine and spiritual things; nay, they have not the knowledge and understanding of men; they want common sense that can do and say such things as before mentioned, both idol makers and idol worshippers:
for he hath shut their eyes that they cannot see, and their heart that they cannot understand; either the devil, as some think, the god of this world, that blinds their eyes from seeing the folly of such gross idolatry, which he, deceiving them, leads them into; or rather God himself, who, because they like not to retain him in their knowledge, gives them up to a reprobate and injudicious mind, to believe a lie, and worship a false god; this he permits, orders, and overrules to some good ends and purposes: this is to be understood of the eyes of the understanding, which, as the word i signifies, are “daubed” and plastered over, that there is no opening of them, and seeing with them; which is the judicial blindness and hardness of heart, which God sometimes in righteous judgment gives up men unto; see Ro 1:28.
i “oblevit oculos eorum”, Montanus; “obleverit”, Cocceius; “quod [sculptile] oblinat”, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
So irrational is idolatry; but yet, through self-hardening, they have fallen under the judgment of hardness of heart (Isa 6:9-10; Isa 19:3; Isa 29:10), and have been given up to a reprobate mind (Rom 1:28). “They perceive not, and do not understand: for their eyes are smeared over, so that they do not see; their hearts, so that they do not understand. And men take it not to heart, no perception and no understanding, that men should say, The half of it I have burned in the fire, and also baked bread upon the coals thereof; roasted flesh, and eaten: and ought I to make the rest of it an abomination, to fall down before the produce of a tree?” Instead of , Lev 14:42, the third person is written (from tachach , Ges. 72, Anm. 8) in a circumstantial sense: their eyes are, as it were, smeared over with plaster. The expression or (Isa 46:8), literally to carry back into the heart, which we find as well as , to take to heart (Isa 42:25), answers exactly to the idea of reflection, here with reference to the immense contrast between a piece of wood and the Divine Being. The second and third in Isa 44:19 introduce substantive clauses, just as verbal clauses are introduced by . is used in the same manner as in Isa 9:8: “perception and insight showing themselves in their saying.” On bul , see Job 40:20; the meaning “block” cannot be established: the talmudic bul , a lump or piece, which Ewald adduces, is the Greek .
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
18. They have not known or understood. He concludes that it is impossible that men endued with reason should have fallen into this mistake, if they had not been altogether blind and mad; for if any spark of reason had remained in them, they would have seen how absurd and ridiculous it is to adore a part of that wood which they had burned, and which they had seen with their own eyes consumed and reduced to ashes. But when they perceive nothing, and listen to no arguments, they shew that they have actually degenerated into beasts; for the expression which Isaiah uses in reproaching them, “They have not known,” amounts to a declaration that they are bereft of reason, and have lost all understanding; and although many of them undoubtedly were very acute and sagacious, yet in this respect there was abundant evidence of their brutish folly.
For he hath smeared their eyes. The reason now assigned is not intended to lessen their guilt, but to shew how monstrous and detestable it is; for men would never be so foolish, if the vengeance of heaven did not drive them to “a reprobate mind.” (Rom 1:28.) Here some interpreters supply the word “God,” and others supply the words “false prophets,” and say that the people were blind, because the false prophets led them astray; for their would never have plunged into such disgraceful errors if they had not been deceived by the impostures of those men, their eyes being dazzled by wicked doctrines. Others do not approve of either of these significations, and it might also refer to the devil. But as a different exposition is more customary in Scripture, I rather adopt it, namely, that God hath blinded them by a righteous judgment; if it be not thought preferable to view it as referring to themselves, (182) because they voluntarily shut both their minds and their eyes; in which case there would be a change of number, which frequently occurs among Hebrew writers. I have stated, however, what I prefer; and it is exceedingly customary among Hebrew writers, when they speak of God, not to mention his name.
In what sense God is said to blind men, and to “give them up to a reprobate mind,” (Rom 1:28,) is evident from various passages of Scripture; that is, when he takes away the light of his Spirit, and gives a loose rein to the lust of men, so that no reasoning can restrain them. He likewise arms Satan with the efficiency of error, so that they who have refused to obey the truth do not guard against his snares, and are liable to be deceived by his impostures. What then can be left in us but the thickest darkness and gross ignorance, so that this tyrant, the father of lies and of darkness, ravages at his pleasure both within and without? for there will not be found in us any spark of light to dispel the clouds of error, but, impelled by a spirit of giddiness with which God strikes the reprobate, (2Th 2:11,) we shall be driven about in a strange manner at the will of Satan.
And yet we must not throw on God the blame of this blindness, for he has always just cause, though it is not always visible to our eyes; and we ought not to make anxious inquiries respecting it, or search into his secret decree, if we do not choose to be punished for our rashness. But frequently the causes are well known, namely, the ingratitude of men and their rebellion against God, as Paul plainly shews. (Rom 1:28.) The blinding is their just punishment, and therefore men have no excuse, though they pretend ignorance; for they would never have been entangled in such gross errors, if the Lord had not blinded them on account of their sins. A very convincing argument may be drawn from the judgments of God to the sins of men; for God is just, and never punishes any one without a just cause, and does not blind a man, unless he deserves it, and voluntarily shuts his eyes. The blame therefore lies with men alone, who have of their own accord brought blindness on themselves; and the design of the Prophet undoubtedly is to shew, that men who ought to have been governed by God, being naturally endued with some judgment, have been forsaken by “the Father of lights,” (Jas 1:17,) so that they become the slaves of Satan.
(182) “ Des idolatres mesmes.” “To the idolaters themselves.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(18) He hath shut their eyes.Better, their eyes are smeared over. The state described is the judicial blindness of Rom. 1:20-25. It will be remembered that blindness thus inflicted was one of the tortures of Eastern cruelty.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
18-20. The whole system of idol religion, in like manner, is simply foolish. Its votaries embrace it only to be blinded in conscience and reason. The makers and worshippers of idols are alike fools. And the sarcastic prophet cannot lament the dementing effects of the idol system in language more fitting than in the exactly literal words of Isa 44:19-20, which sufficiently explain themselves.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isa 44:18 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; [and] their hearts, that they cannot understand.
Ver. 18. They have not known nor understood. ] How should they, say, when infatuated and given up to an injudicious mind, or reprobate sense, as those? Rom 1:28
For he hath shut their eyes.
“ Mons oblita Dei, vitiorumque oblita caeno. ”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isa 44:18-20
18They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend. 19No one recalls, nor is there knowledge or understanding to say, I have burned half of it in the fire and also have baked bread over its coals. I roast meat and eat it. Then I make the rest of it into an abomination, I fall down before a block of wood! 20He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
Isa 44:18 Is the unbelief and superstition a result of
1. the Fall
2. YHWH’s hand?
The OT relates all causality to God (i.e., Pharaoh, also note Isa 6:9-10; Isa 29:10), but still humans are responsible for their acts. This is the mystery of God’s sovereignty and humanity’s free will (i.e., necessary human acts for God’s forgiveness, cf. Isa 55:7). Maybe Psa 81:12 sums it up best (cf. Rom 1:24; Rom 1:26; Rom 1:28).
SPECIAL TOPIC: ELECTION/PREDESTINATION AND THE NEED FOR A THEOLOGICAL BALANCE
Isa 44:19 an abomination See Special Topic: Abomination .
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
not known = not taken note.
shut = smeared.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Isa 44:18-20
Isa 44:18-20
“They know not, neither do they consider; for he hath shut their eyes that they cannot see; and their hearts that they cannot understand. And none calleth to mind, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire, also I have baked bread on the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? He feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned him aside: and he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?”
This concludes the heavenly denunciation of idols and of idol worship. Note in Isa 44:18 that the fundamental reason why any man is able to engage in such folly is due to the fact that he has been blinded. This, of course, is a reference to the judicial blinding, or hardening of men’s hearts by God Himself; but this must never be understood as a capricious or haphazard action on the part of the heavenly Father. “God closes the eyes and hearts of men, but that is never an arbitrary action on God’s part. The hardened and blinded are themselves responsible for it (Rom 1:20-28). In their self-imposed darkened state the idolaters cannot understand their own folly.”
Furthermore, we consider the consecration of so-called “sacred images” in certain allegedly “Christian” communions of our own era as just as foolish, and just as loaded with folly, as was the practice of idolatry in ancient times. Yes indeed, we are familiar with the allegation that the “worshippers” who are bowing down in front of “images” are not actually worshipping the image; but that the image serves to “remind them” of realities which indeed they claim to worship. Yet God did not merely condemn “worshipping” images; he also outlawed and condemned the making of them and the bowing down before them as well (Exo 20:4-5).
As for the silly notion that an “image” can remind people of any reality whatever: (1) How can an object which cannot think remind an intelligent person of God who is the Infinite Mind? (2) How can an object which can stand in only one place remind an intelligent person of Him who is ubiquitous? (3) How can an object which is totally without any strength or power whatever remind one of the all-powerful, omnipotent God? (4) How can an object, which itself had to be manufactured, improved, painted, and decorated remind any thoughtful person of God the Creator of all things? Etc.
Isa 44:18-20 GULLIBLE IDOLATERS: Lange says the tahk (shut, plaster shut) of Isa 44:18 should be considered as the nominal form and take as its nearest qualification the word aeyneyhem which is 3 pers. pl. masc. In other words, they plastered their eyes shut-not God. It is apparent from the context that the idolater exercised his own choice in knowing or not knowing the utter stupidity of idolatry. The Hebrew lo-yashyiv el-libbo means literally, carry not back into the heart, and is translated in the ASV none calleth to mind. Evidently these idolaters once had understanding about the vanity of idols, but they did not carry it back into their hearts. They rejected any willing reflection or investigation of their practices. They refused to come to the light lest their deeds be exposed (cf. Joh 3:18-20). It certainly was not because they were incapable of understanding the stupidity of their practice-they simply did not want to carry it back into their minds. Toevah is an abhorrence or an abomination. Its evaluation comes from God, not from man. Men who make them think them darling-God calls them abominations! Idols insult God and degrade and eventually destroy men whom God made in His own image.
The man who makes idols of wood and metal which are so easily reduced to ashes has been led astray from truth by a heart overpowered with self-delusion and cannot be saved nor does it ever occur to him to say, Isnt all this a big lie? The most enslaving delusion is self-delusion, because it has to do with selfish feelings-not objective truth. There does not seem to be any hope for these idolaters of Isaiahs people unless they are willing to investigate what is outside their own feelings and desires. As long as men accept only what agrees with their feelings and desires, and are unwilling to accept that something may be valid truth outside their own autonomous selves, they cannot be saved. God is transcendent. He is the objective Object. He is the eternal Person. He is truth, outside of and beyond man. His being, objectivity and truthfulness must be validated by His revelation of Himself. Man cannot reduce Him to mans limited experience for man can rise no higher than himself (as evidenced by his idols)!
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
have not: Isa 44:9, Isa 44:20, Isa 45:20, Isa 46:7, Isa 46:8, Jer 10:8, Jer 10:14, Rom 1:21-23
for he hath: Isa 6:10, Isa 29:10, Psa 81:12, Mat 13:14, Mat 13:15, Act 14:16, Rom 1:28, Rom 11:8-10, 2Co 4:3, 2Co 4:4, 2Th 2:9-12
shut: Heb. daubed
cannot: Isa 56:11, Psa 92:6, Pro 2:5-9, Pro 28:5, Jer 5:21, Dan 12:10, Hos 14:9, Mat 12:34, Joh 5:44, Joh 8:43, Joh 12:39, Joh 12:40, 2Pe 2:14
Reciprocal: Jdg 18:24 – what have Psa 40:4 – as turn Psa 106:7 – Our Psa 135:18 – They that Isa 1:3 – but Israel Isa 6:9 – Hear ye Isa 27:11 – for it is Isa 43:8 – General Jer 51:17 – Every Hos 4:12 – for Hos 4:14 – therefore Hos 10:2 – Their heart is divided Mat 6:23 – thine Mat 13:13 – General Mat 24:39 – General Mar 3:5 – hardness Mar 4:12 – That seeing Mar 8:18 – see Luk 8:10 – that seeing Luk 11:34 – but Luk 19:42 – but Luk 20:7 – that Joh 6:44 – man Joh 9:39 – might be Rom 10:19 – foolish Rom 11:7 – and the rest 2Co 3:14 – their Eph 4:18 – the understanding
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Isa 44:18-20. They have not known, &c. They want common discretion, and have not the understanding of a rational being in them. For what an absurdity is it for a man to dress his meat and make his god with the same piece of wood! Or to think that a log of timber hath any more divinity in it than it had before, because of the form man can give it, or any thing he can do to it! When, says Minutius Felix, does it become a god! Behold, it is cast, fashioned, and carved! It is not yet a god. It is soldered, put together, and set up. Neither is it yet a god. Behold, it is adorned, consecrated, and prayed to! Then at length it is a god when men have chosen and dedicated it. He hath shut their eyes God hath. Not as if God made men wicked; he only permits them so to be, and orders and overrules their wickedness to his own glorious ends. And none considereth in his heart By which the prophet implies, that the true cause of this, as well as of other absurd and brutish practices of sinners, is the neglect of serious and impartial consideration. He feedeth on ashes An unprofitable and pernicious food, and no less unsatisfying and mischievous is the worship of idols. A deceived heart A mind corrupted and deceived by deep prejudice, gross error, and especially by his own lusts; hath turned him aside From the way of truth, from the knowledge and worship of the true God, unto this irrational and foolish idolatry; that he cannot deliver his soul From this error, and the vengeance that will follow upon it; nor say, Is there not a lie, &c. Is not this idol which I honour and trust to a mere fiction and delusion which will deceive me?
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
44:18 They have not known nor understood: {y} for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; [and] their hearts, that they cannot understand.
(y) The prophet gives here an answer to all them who wonder how it is possible that any would be so blind as to commit such abomination, saying that God has blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Pagans do not see the folly of idol-worship because God has blinded their minds (cf. Isa 6:9-10; Isa 29:14). Having chosen to refuse the revelation of God that He has given them in nature, He makes it impossible for them to see the truth (cf. Rom 1:18-24; 2Th 2:10-11). If this were not the case, they would understand and abandon their practices, since it is so clear that man-made gods are not deity.
Modern man is in the same position as his ancient counterpart. Westerners do not cut down trees and fashion blocks of wood into idols that we put on shelves in our houses and bow down to. But we work long hours to be able to purchase some man-made object (of clothing, jewelry, transportation, communication, entertainment, etc.) that we then hope will provide us with what only God can provide. Tragically, we do not even view this as idolatry because we, too, are blind.