In 6.9-10 God told the prophet that his people would not listen to his message, but this verse says the people under the new regime will see and hear. As in 6.9-10, seeing and hearing are images for understanding and obedience. This passage also links to 29.18, but there the language is not figurative. For those translators who prefer nonfigurative language here, see the third example below.

In Good News Translation verses 3-4 continue to describe the new king and his officials. However, these verses more likely refer to all the people in Judah.

The Hebrew syntax of the two lines in verse 3 displays the following chiastic structure: verb > subject > < subject < verb. Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed: The connector Then renders the common Hebrew conjunction (literally “And”). Here it introduces the benefits that will result from the reign of the new king and his officials. Translators may leave it implied, as in Good News Translation and Bible en français courant. The Hebrew verb rendered be closed probably comes from a root meaning “to be blind,” as in 6.10 and 29.9. So this line says that nothing will prevent those who can see from seeing. Sight refers figuratively to understanding. For this line Revised English Bible has “Then those who see will see clearly.”

And the ears of those who hear will hearken: This parallel line says those who listen will always be attentive. Hearing refers figuratively to obedience. Revised English Bible says “and those who hear will listen with care.”

The eyes of those who see and the ears of those who hear render participial phrases in Hebrew. This pattern continues in the next verse with “The mind of the rash” and “the tongue of the stammerers,” so these two verses are closely linked. In some languages the verbs see and hear will need an object. Good News Translation adds “the needs of the people” as the object, but we do not recommend this. A better object is “God’s message.”

Translation examples for this verse are:

• The eyes of those who can see will not be blinded,
the ears of those who can hear will take note.

• Those with vision will not be blinded,
those with hearing will listen closely.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .