Isaiah 59:10
Isaiah 59:10 in Multiple Translations
Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead.
We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.
We grope for the wall like the blind; yea, we grope as they that have no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the twilight; among them that are lusty we are as dead men.
We go on our way, like blind men feeling for the wall, even like those who have no eyes: we are running against things in daylight as if it was evening; our place is in the dark like dead men.
We grope like blind people along a wall, feeling with our hands as if we have no eyes. We stumble at noon as if it were the evening. Among those who are full of life, we are like the dead.
Wee grope for the wall like the blinde, and we grope as one without eyes: we stumble at the noone day as in the twilight: we are in solitarie places, as dead men.
We feel like the blind [for] the wall, Yea, as without eyes we feel, We have stumbled at noon as at twilight, In desolate places as the dead.
We grope for the wall like the blind. Yes, we grope as those who have no eyes. We stumble at noon as if it were twilight. Among those who are strong, we are like dead men.
We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men .
We have groped for the wall, and like the blind we have groped as if we had no eyes: we have stumbled at noonday as in darkness, we are in dark places as dead men.
We are like [SIM] blind people who have to feel along a wall to be able to walk anywhere. We stumble and trip at noontime like [SIM] we would when it is dark. We are like [SIM] dead people who are among healthy people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Isaiah 59:10
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Isaiah 59:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
נְגַֽשְׁשָׁ֤ה
כַֽ/עִוְרִים֙
קִ֔יר
וּ/כְ/אֵ֥ין
עֵינַ֖יִם
נְגַשֵּׁ֑שָׁה
כָּשַׁ֤לְנוּ
בַֽ/צָּהֳרַ֨יִם֙
כַּ/נֶּ֔שֶׁף
בָּ/אַשְׁמַנִּ֖ים
כַּ/מֵּתִֽים
נְגַֽשְׁשָׁ֤ה
gâshash
H1659
to grope
V-Piel-Imperf-1cp
כַֽ/עִוְרִים֙
ʻivvêr
H5787
blind
Prep | Adj
קִ֔יר
qîyr
H7023
wall
N-ms
וּ/כְ/אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Conj | Prep | Part
עֵינַ֖יִם
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cd
נְגַשֵּׁ֑שָׁה
gâshash
H1659
to grope
V-Piel-Imperf-1cp
כָּשַׁ֤לְנוּ
kâshal
H3782
to stumble
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
בַֽ/צָּהֳרַ֨יִם֙
tsôhar
H6672
midday
Prep | N-mp
כַּ/נֶּ֔שֶׁף
nesheph
H5399
twilight
Prep | N-ms
בָּ/אַשְׁמַנִּ֖ים
ʼashmân
H820
strong
Prep | N-mp
כַּ/מֵּתִֽים
mûwth
H4191
to die
Prep | V-Qal
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Isaiah 59:10
נְגַֽשְׁשָׁ֤ה
gâshash
H1659
"to grope"
V-Piel-Imperf-1cp
To grope means to feel around with your hands, often because you cannot see, and it is used in the Bible to describe people feeling their way in the dark.
Definition: 1) to feel with the hand, grope, stroke, feel 1a) (Piel) to grope, grope for, feel with the hand
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: grope. See also: Isaiah 59:10.
כַֽ/עִוְרִים֙
ʻivvêr
H5787
"blind"
Prep | Adj
This word describes someone who is blind, either physically or unable to see spiritually. In the Bible, it is used in Matthew 9:27 to describe the two blind men who followed Jesus. The word is also used in Romans 2:19 to describe spiritual blindness.
Definition: 1) blind 1a) blind (physically) 1b) blind (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: blind (men, people). See also: Exodus 4:11; Isaiah 35:5; Psalms 146:8.
קִ֔יר
qîyr
H7023
"wall"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a wall, often referring to the walls of houses, chambers, or even the altar. It is used to describe structures built for protection or division. The KJV translates it as wall or side.
Definition: 1) wall, side 1a) wall (of house or chamber) 1b) the sides (of the altar)
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] mason, side, town, [idiom] very, wall. See also: Exodus 30:3; 2 Chronicles 3:11; Psalms 62:4.
וּ/כְ/אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Conj | Prep | Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
עֵינַ֖יִם
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cd
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
נְגַשֵּׁ֑שָׁה
gâshash
H1659
"to grope"
V-Piel-Imperf-1cp
To grope means to feel around with your hands, often because you cannot see, and it is used in the Bible to describe people feeling their way in the dark.
Definition: 1) to feel with the hand, grope, stroke, feel 1a) (Piel) to grope, grope for, feel with the hand
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: grope. See also: Isaiah 59:10.
כָּשַׁ֤לְנוּ
kâshal
H3782
"to stumble"
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
To stumble means to lose your balance and almost fall, often because of weakness. In the Bible, it can also mean to falter or fail spiritually. This word is used in many books, including Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to stumble, stagger, totter 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stumble 1a2) to totter 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to stumble 1b2) to be tottering, be feeble 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to stumble, bring injury or ruin to, overthrow 1c2) to make feeble, make weak 1d) (Hophal) to be made to stumble 1e) (Piel) bereave
Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: bereave (from the margin), cast down, be decayed, (cause to) fail, (cause, make to) fall (down, -ing), feeble, be (the) ruin(-ed, of), (be) overthrown, (cause to) stumble, [idiom] utterly, be weak. See also: Leviticus 26:37; Jeremiah 6:15; Psalms 9:4.
בַֽ/צָּהֳרַ֨יִם֙
tsôhar
H6672
"midday"
Prep | N-mp
This word refers to a roof or a window, and can also mean noon or midday, likely due to the sun shining through a window at that time. It is used in descriptions of buildings and daily routines in the Bible.
Definition: 1) noon, midday 1a) noon (as specific time of day) 1b) noon (in simile as bright of happiness, blessing)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: midday, noon(-day, -tide), window. See also: Genesis 6:16; Psalms 37:6; Psalms 55:18.
כַּ/נֶּ֔שֶׁף
nesheph
H5399
"twilight"
Prep | N-ms
Twilight, or the time of dawn or dusk when the breeze prevails, marking the beginning or end of the day. This term is used to describe the dark or light periods.
Definition: 1) twilight 1a) evening twilight 1b) morning twilight
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: dark, dawning of the day (morning), night, twilight. See also: 1 Samuel 30:17; Psalms 119:147; Proverbs 7:9.
בָּ/אַשְׁמַנִּ֖ים
ʼashmân
H820
"strong"
Prep | N-mp
An ashman was a desolate or barren place, often translated as a strong or stout field. However, it can also describe a place that is empty or devoid of life.
Definition: 1) the stout, among the stout 2) (CLBL) the desolate, like dead
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: desolate place. See also: Isaiah 59:10.
כַּ/מֵּתִֽים
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
Prep | V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
Study Notes — Isaiah 59:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Isaiah 59:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 59:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 59:10
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 59:10
- Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 59:10
- Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 59:10
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 59:10
- Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 59:10
- Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 59:10
- Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 59:10
- Sermons on Isaiah 59:10
Context — Sin Separates Us from God
8The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their tracks. They have turned them into crooked paths; no one who treads on them will know peace.
9Therefore 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.
10Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead.
11We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but find none, for salvation, but it is far from us. 12For our transgressions are multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us. Our transgressions are indeed with us, and we know our iniquities:Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 28:29 | and at noon you will grope about like a blind man in the darkness. You will not prosper in your ways. Day after day you will be oppressed and plundered, with no one to save you. |
| 2 | Job 5:14 | They encounter darkness by day and grope at noon as in the night. |
| 3 | Lamentations 3:6 | He has made me dwell in darkness like those dead for ages. |
| 4 | Lamentations 4:14 | They wandered blind in the streets, defiled by this blood, so that no one dared to touch their garments. |
| 5 | John 11:9–10 | Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? If anyone walks in the daytime, he will not stumble, because he sees by the light of this world. But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.” |
| 6 | Isaiah 8:15 | Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken; they will be ensnared and captured.” |
| 7 | 1 John 2:11 | But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. |
| 8 | John 12:35 | Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. |
| 9 | Proverbs 4:19 | But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble. |
| 10 | Amos 8:9 | And in that day, declares the Lord GOD, I will make the sun go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the daytime. |
Isaiah 59:10 Summary
[Isaiah 59:10 describes what it's like to live without God's guidance, stumbling around in spiritual darkness even when everything seems okay on the surface, similar to what the Psalmist experienced in Psalm 38:8-10. It's like being blind and trying to find our way, or being dead and unable to respond to the world around us, as seen in Ephesians 2:1-5. This verse reminds us that we need God's light to navigate life's challenges, as promised in Psalm 119:105. Without Him, we're left stumbling and struggling, but with Him, we can find our way and experience abundant life, as Jesus taught in John 10:10.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to feel our way along the wall like the blind in Isaiah 59:10?
This phrase is a metaphor for spiritual blindness and the inability to navigate life's challenges without God's guidance, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:29, where it says the disobedient will grope at noon like the blind.
Why do we stumble at midday as in the twilight according to Isaiah 59:10?
This phrase illustrates the spiritual darkness that pervades the lives of those who reject God, making it difficult for them to discern right from wrong, even in the midst of abundant spiritual light, as Jesus taught in John 3:19-20.
What does it mean to be like the dead among the vigorous in Isaiah 59:10?
This phrase highlights the spiritual deadness and lack of vitality that results from separation from God, contrasting with the abundant life promised in John 10:10 and the spiritual vigor that comes from knowing Him, as seen in Romans 8:11.
How does Isaiah 59:10 relate to the rest of the chapter?
Isaiah 59:10 is part of a larger lamentation about the state of God's people, who have turned away from Him and are experiencing the consequences of their sin, as described in Isaiah 59:8-9, and are in need of redemption and restoration, as hinted at in Isaiah 59:11-12 and fully revealed in the New Testament, such as in Romans 3:23-24.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I feel like I'm stumbling through life without clear direction, and how can I seek God's guidance in those areas?
- How does the image of feeling my way along the wall like the blind challenge my understanding of spiritual blindness and my need for God's light in my life?
- What are some areas where I may be experiencing spiritual deadness, and how can I seek the Holy Spirit's revival in those areas, as promised in Ezekiel 37:1-14?
- How does this verse encourage me to cry out to God for light and salvation, as described in Psalm 119:169-176, and to seek His righteousness in my life?
Gill's Exposition on Isaiah 59:10
We grope for the wall like the blind,.... Who either with their hands, or with a staff in them, feel for the wall to lean against, or to guide them in the way, or into the house, that they may know
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Isaiah 59:10
We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Isaiah 59:10
We grope: as a blind man that hath no other eyes than his hands feels for the wall, from whence he expects either direction or a resting place to lean on; so they expect salvation as it were blindfold, not taking direction from the prophets, but hoping to obtain it by their cries and fasts, though they continued in their sins, and therefore may well be said to grope after it. See ,29 Job 12:25. And we grope as if we had no eyes; as if we were stark blind; and being here put for yea, thereby aggravating the misery in repeating the expression. We stumble at noon-day: this notes their exceeding blindness, as it must needs be with one that can discern no more at noon-day than if it were midnight, . We are as dead men: he compares their captivity to men dead without hope of recovery; their bonds render them as free among the dead, . They can see the way, or get out of their captivity, no more than dead men can get out of their graves; thus a calamitous estate is set forth, , great calamity and despair oft going together: they are as men cast out, no more to be looked after. Compare . All darkness is uncomfortable, but that of the grave terrible.
Trapp's Commentary on Isaiah 59:10
Isaiah 59:10 We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if [we had] no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; [we are] in desolate places as dead [men].Ver. 10. We grope for the wall like the blind.] We are altogether to seek, utterly destitute of good counsel or advice; neither can we enjoy those comforts that we have. We are in desolate places as dead men.] As "free among the dead," free of that company. Leo Judae rendereth it, We are in our graves as dead carcases; Piscator thus, In fatness (that is, in the abundance of all things) we are as dead men.
Ellicott's Commentary on Isaiah 59:10
(10) We grope for the wall . . .—The words present a striking parallelism with Deuteronomy 28:29, and may have been reproduced from, or in, it. We are in desolate places . . .—Many critics render, (1) among those full of life, or (2) in luxuriant fields, of which (1) is preferable, as giving an antithesis like that of the other clauses. So taken, we have a parallelism with Psalms 73:5-8.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Isaiah 59:10
Verse 10. We stumble at noon day as in the night - "We stumble at mid-day, as in the twilight"] I adopt here an emendation of Houbigant, נשגגה nishgegah, instead of the second, נגששה negasheshah, the repetition of which has a poverty and inelegance extremely unworthy of the prophet, and unlike his manner. The mistake is of long standing, being prior to all the ancient versions. It was a very easy and obvious mistake, and I have little doubt of our having recovered the true reading in this ingenious correction.
Cambridge Bible on Isaiah 59:10
10. We grope for the wall, &c.] Rather, along the wall seeking an outlet. Comp. the very similar passage Deuteronomy 28:29. we are in desolate places as dead men] R.V. among them that are lusty we are as dead men. The A.V. follows the Vulgate, but the rendering “desolate places” seems destitute of any etymological basis. The word, which occurs only here, comes apparently from a root denoting “fatness”; hence the translation of the R.V., which gives a more effective turn to the figure than any other that has been proposed. The soundness of the text, however, is open to suspicion.
Barnes' Notes on Isaiah 59:10
We grope for the wall like the blind - A blind man, not being able to see his way, feels along by a wall, a fence, or any other object that will guide him. They were like the blind.
Whedon's Commentary on Isaiah 59:10
10, 11. We grope for the wall — Like the blind we feel our way.
Sermons on Isaiah 59:10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Spiritual Insights 01 Heb 12:16 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Esau from the book of Hebrews. He emphasizes the danger of sacrificing important values for a moment of physical gratification, |
|
Triologies in Life of Christ - Part 4 by David Adams | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the transformative power of love. He uses the example of Mary, who was so moved by her love for Jesus that she took action. Four action verb |
|
John 11:1-27 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the story of Lazarus, highlighting the importance of enduring suffering and sickness as beloved friends of God, like Lazarus, to bring glory to God. He |
|
Epistle 34 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the importance of staying true to the light of Christ within each individual, warning against speaking presumptuously about God out of fear or pride. He urges |
|
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead John 11:1-57 by David Servant | David Servant preaches on the story of Lazarus, highlighting how Jesus was glorified not by Lazarus's sickness but by his resurrection, emphasizing that God's power is displayed in |
|
Satan Found a Whisperer by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the destructive power of gossip and slander. He shares a personal story of a man who was falsely accused and how it affected his life and fa |
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Biblical Assurance 4 - Austin, Tx by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of love and its connection to God. He states that love is from God and those who love are born of God and know Him. The preac |