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Listen to Me, you stubborn people, far removed from righteousness:
Isaiah 46:12 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness!
  • KJV Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
  • NKJV “Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, Who are far from righteousness:
  • NASB ¶“Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded, Who are far from righteousness.
  • NLT “Listen to me, you stubborn people who are so far from doing right.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

God addresses the stubborn-hearted who are far from righteousness, calling them to listen. Even the hardened are summoned to hear.

Overview

Yahweh speaks to those resistant and distant from righteousness, commanding their attention. It is a gracious word to the obstinate, preparing them for the promise of salvation that follows. God's call to the stubborn shows his patience, the same patience that seeks sinners through the gospel.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 18

  • Jer 2:5This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me, and followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves?
  • Eph 2:13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
  • Isa 46:3“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.
  • Isa 48:4For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron and your forehead is bronze.
  • Isa 28:23Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say.
  • Zech 7:11–12But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.
  • Prov 8:1–5Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice?
  • Prov 1:22–23“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?
  • Ps 76:5The valiant lie plundered; they sleep their last sleep. No men of might could lift a hand.
  • Ps 119:155Salvation is far from the wicked because they do not seek Your statutes.
  • Ps 49:1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,
  • Ps 119:150Those who follow after wickedness draw near; they are far from Your law.
  • Isa 45:20Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save.
  • Rev 3:17–18You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
  • Mal 3:13–15“Your words against Me have been harsh,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we spoken against You?’
  • Isa 48:1“Listen to this, O house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, who have descended from the line of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD, who invoke the God of Israel—but not in truth or righteousness—
  • Acts 7:51You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.
  • Eph 5:14So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (4)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Isaiah videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Isaiah 46:12YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on IsaiahMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).

How Isaiah 46:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.