Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from my righteousness. New Living Translation “Listen to me, you stubborn people who are so far from doing right. English Standard Version “Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness: Berean Standard Bible Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness: Berean Literal Bible Listen to Me, O obstinate of heart, far from righteousness! King James Bible Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: New King James Version “Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, Who are far from righteousness: New American Standard Bible “Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded, Who are far from righteousness. NASB 1995 “Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded, Who are far from righteousness. NASB 1977 “Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded, Who are far from righteousness. Legacy Standard Bible “Hear Me, you stubborn of heart, Who are far from righteousness. Amplified Bible “Listen to Me, you stiff-necked people, You who are far from righteousness (right standing with God). Berean Annotated Bible Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness: Christian Standard Bible Listen to me, you hardhearted, far removed from justice: Holman Christian Standard Bible Listen to me, you hardhearted, far removed from justice: American Standard Version Hearken unto me, ye stout-hearted, that are far from righteousness: Contemporary English Version You people are stubborn and far from being safe, so listen to me. English Revised Version Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: GOD'S WORD® Translation Listen to me, you stubborn people who are far from being righteous. Good News Translation "Listen to me, you stubborn people who think that victory is far away. International Standard Version "Listen to me, you hard-hearted, you who are far removed from righteousness: NET Bible Listen to me, you stubborn people, you who distance yourself from doing what is right. New Heart English Bible Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, who are far from righteousness: Webster's Bible Translation Hearken to me, ye stout-hearted, that are far from righteousness: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleListen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness: World English Bible Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness! Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionListen to Me, you mighty in heart, "" Who are far from righteousness. Berean Literal Bible Listen to Me, O obstinate of heart, far from righteousness! Young's Literal Translation Hearken unto Me, ye mighty in heart, Who are far from righteousness. Smith's Literal Translation Hear to me, ye strong of heart, being far from justice. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI have brought my justice near, it shall not be afar off: and my salvation shall not tarry. Catholic Public Domain Version Hear me, you who are hard of heart, who are far from justice! New American Bible Listen to me, you fainthearted, far from the victory of justice: New Revised Standard Version Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from deliverance: Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHearken to me, O you stubborn of heart, that are far from righteousness; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Hear me, hard of heart, those far from righteousness OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Hearken unto Me, ye stout-hearted, That are far from righteousness: Brenton Septuagint Translation Hearken to me, ye senseless ones, that are far from righteousness: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Babylon's Idols…11I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it. 12Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness: 13I am bringing My righteousness near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion and adorn Israel with My splendor.… Cross References Listen to Me Psalm 81:8 Hear, O My people, and I will warn you: O Israel, if only you would listen to Me! Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David. Proverbs 1:8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. you stubborn people Acts 7:51 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. Deuteronomy 9:6 Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. Jeremiah 7:26 Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers. far removed from righteousness: Isaiah 59:9 Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in gloom. Isaiah 59:14 So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter. Romans 10:3 Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ Jeremiah 5:21 “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. Matthew 13:15 For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ Acts 28:27 For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ Proverbs 28:14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. Hebrews 3:12-13 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. / But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Psalm 95:8 do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness, Treasury of Scripture Listen to me, you stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: hearken Isaiah 46:3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: Isaiah 28:23 Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech. Isaiah 45:20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. ye stouthearted Isaiah 48:4 Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; Psalm 76:5 The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands. Zechariah 7:11,12 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear… that Psalm 119:150,155 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law… Jeremiah 2:5 Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Jump to Previous Deliverance Ear Faith Far Feeble-Hearted Hearken Heart Mighty Righteousness Stouthearted Stout-Hearted StubbornJump to Next Deliverance Ear Faith Far Feeble-Hearted Hearken Heart Mighty Righteousness Stouthearted Stout-Hearted StubbornIsaiah 46 1. The idols of Babylon could not save themselves3. God saves his people to the end 5. Idols are not comparable to God for power 12. Or present salvation. Listen to Me This phrase is a divine imperative, emphasizing the importance of heeding God's voice. Throughout the Bible, God calls His people to listen, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel." Listening implies obedience and a willingness to follow God's commands. It is a call to attention, urging the audience to focus on the divine message being delivered. you stubborn people far removed from righteousness Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline. 2. Stubborn People This refers to the Israelites who were resistant to God's guidance and commands. They are described as being "far from righteousness," indicating their spiritual waywardness. 3. God The speaker in this verse, God is calling His people to listen and return to Him. He is portrayed as a patient yet firm guide, desiring righteousness for His people. 4. Righteousness A key theme in Isaiah, righteousness here refers to living in accordance with God's will and commands. The Israelites are described as being distant from this ideal. 5. Babylonian Captivity While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Isaiah includes the looming threat of Babylonian captivity, a consequence of the people's stubbornness and unrighteousness. Teaching Points The Call to ListenGod continually calls His people to listen, emphasizing the importance of being attentive to His word and guidance. The Danger of Stubbornness Stubbornness can lead us away from righteousness. We must be willing to submit to God's will and change our ways. Proximity to Righteousness Being "far from righteousness" is a spiritual condition that requires repentance and a return to God's ways. God's Patience and Desire for Righteousness Despite our stubbornness, God is patient and desires for us to return to righteousness, offering us grace and guidance. The Consequences of Ignoring God Ignoring God's call can lead to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences, as seen in the history of Israel. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 46:12?2. How does Isaiah 46:12 challenge us to listen to God's righteousness today? 3. What does "stubborn-hearted" in Isaiah 46:12 reveal about human nature? 4. How can we apply Isaiah 46:12 to strengthen our faith in God's plan? 5. What other scriptures emphasize the importance of heeding God's call to righteousness? 6. How can recognizing our stubbornness help us grow spiritually according to Isaiah 46:12? 7. How does Isaiah 46:12 challenge the concept of human righteousness? 8. What historical context surrounds Isaiah 46:12? 9. How does Isaiah 46:12 relate to God's sovereignty? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 46? 11. How does solitude strengthen your relationship with God? 12. If Isaiah 32:1-2 promises a protective and righteous king for all people, why is there no historical or archaeological record of such a universal rule? 13. Isaiah 46:1-2: Where is the independent historical or archaeological evidence that Bel and Nebo were once powerful but failed at a critical point as described? 14. What does the Bible say about the world's end? What Does Isaiah 46:12 Mean Listen to MeGod opens with an urgent imperative: “Listen to Me” (Isaiah 46:12). • The Lord Himself is speaking, not an angel or prophet. His voice carries absolute authority, as in Isaiah 55:3, “Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, that your soul may live.” • “Listen” stresses more than casual hearing; it demands obedient response, echoing Deuteronomy 6:4–5 where Israel is told to “Hear, O Israel” and love the LORD with all their heart. • Jesus later affirms the same divine expectation: “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). The immediate context of Isaiah 46 shows God contrasting Himself with powerless idols (vv. 1–9). True listening rejects idolatry and embraces the living God who declares “the end from the beginning” (v. 10). you stubborn people The Lord identifies His audience as obstinate—literally hard-hearted. • Similar language appears in Exodus 32:9 where Israel is called “a stiff-necked people,” and Stephen echoes it in Acts 7:51, “You stiff-necked people…you always resist the Holy Spirit.” • Stubbornness blinds the heart (Jeremiah 7:24) and invites judgment (Proverbs 29:1). • In Isaiah 46 the stubbornness shows up in clinging to idols even after God exposes their emptiness. The warning is gracious: God confronts sin so His people can repent before discipline falls (Isaiah 1:18–20). far removed from righteousness The phrase pinpoints the tragic result of stubbornness: distance from God’s righteous standard. • Isaiah earlier lamented, “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God” (Isaiah 59:2). • Paul quotes Isaiah to explain Israel’s failure: they “pursued a law of righteousness” but missed God’s righteousness by faith (Romans 9:31–32). • God’s righteousness is near and available, as He immediately promises in the next verse: “I am bringing My righteousness near; it is not far away” (Isaiah 46:13). The problem lies not with God’s distance but with hearts that refuse to draw near (James 4:8). • The hope implicit here anticipates Christ, “who became to us righteousness” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Those who humble themselves receive the very righteousness they once lacked (Romans 3:22). summary Isaiah 46:12 is a loving but firm wake-up call. God commands His people to heed His voice, exposes their stubborn hearts, and reveals the true cause of their spiritual distance—lack of righteousness. Yet the surrounding context shows He stands ready to supply that righteousness to all who listen and turn from idols to Him. (12) Ye stouthearted.--The word, like analogous terms in Ezekiel 2:4; Ezekiel 3:7, implies at once obduracy and ignorance. Such as these are self-excluded at once from the "righteousness" and the "salvation" of Jehovah, which ultimately imply, and coincide with each other. Their unfaithfulness, however, does not hinder the faithfulness of God. He brings near His salvation to all who are ready to receive it. (Comp. Isaiah 56:1.)Verses 12, 13. - AN ADMONITION TO THE OBDURATE IN ISRAEL. God's mercy extends even to those who resist his grace. They who have been hitherto stiff-necked and "far from righteousness," have a special warning addressed to them, Salvation is drawing nigh; the deliverance of Israel is approaching; there is no time to lose; will they not east in their lot with the true Israel, and take advantage of the deliverance when it comes? Verse 12. - Ye stout-hearted (comp. Ezekiel 2:6; Ezekiel 3:7; and infra, Isaiah 48:4). The LXX. translate by σκληροκάρδιοι. |
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