complete verse (Isaiah 42:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 42:20:

  • Kupsabiny: “You have seen many things and you have not understood/realized (it).
    You are listening (cut the ears) and you hear nothing.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “You have seen many things,
    but [you] have paid no attention.
    Your ears have been open,
    but you have not even heard anything."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “You (plur.) now have-seen- many -things but you (plur.) have- not -paid-any-attention to it. You (plur.) could-have-heard but you (plur.) do- not -listen.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Isaiah 42:20

This verse comments on the deafness and blindness of God’s people referred to in the previous two verses. Good News Translation identifies the addressee as “Israel,” but it is better not to do this since there is no agreement among scholars about the identity of the servant here.

There is a textual problem concerning the pronouns in this verse. In Hebrew the whole verse is literally “You [singular] see many things, but you [singular] do not observe them; ears are open, but he does not hear.” Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version change the second person pronouns to third person, while Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New American Bible change the third person pronoun to second person. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project prefers to keep the pronouns as they are in the Hebrew text. However, it is better for translators to use second person or third person pronouns consistently here for naturalness and clarity.

He sees many things, but does not observe them: The distinction between see and observe is important. God’s people may see something, but they never grasp its full significance. The Hebrew verb rendered observe often has the meaning of “keeping” laws, which is in view here. Chinese has a saying that conveys the same sense as this line: “Having eyeballs but no eyes.” Many languages will be able to use a similar idiom.

His ears are open, but he does not hear is parallel to the previous line. It uses a different image to express a similar idea. God’s people hear something, but they do not respond to it. The Hebrew verb rendered hear can refer simply to hearing a sound, but, as here, it often points to hearing that brings a response, that is, obedience. Good News Translation tries to make this clear by saying “really heard.” Like English, other languages may be able to use an adverb with the verb hear to express its sense correctly in this context.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• He sees many things, but does not really take notice [of them];
his ears are open, but he does not truly hear.”

• You see much, but do not actually observe [it];
you use your ears, but do not really listen.”

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 .