Isaiah 42:20

42:20 You see ¹  many things, but don’t comprehend; ² 

their ears are open, but do not hear.”

Isaiah 30:20

30:20 The sovereign master ³  will give you distress to eat

and suffering to drink; ⁴ 

but your teachers will no longer be hidden;

your eyes will see them. ⁵ 

[42:20]  ¹ tn The consonantal text (Kethib) has a perfect, 2nd person masculine singular; the marginal reading (Qere) has an infinitive absolute, which functions here as a finite verb.

[42:20]  ² tn Heb “but you do not guard [i.e., retain in your memory]”; NIV “but have paid no attention.”

[30:20]  ³ tn The Hebrew term translated “sovereign master” here is אֲדֹנָי (’adonai).

[30:20]  ⁴ tn Heb “and the Master will give to you bread – distress, and water – oppression.”

[30:20]  ⁵ tn Heb “but your teachers will no longer be hidden, your eyes will be seeing your teachers.” The translation assumes that the form מוֹרֶיךָ (morekha) is a plural participle, referring to spiritual leaders such as prophets and priests. Another possibility is that the form is actually singular (see GKC 273-74 §93.ss) or a plural of respect, referring to God as the master teacher. See HALOT 560-61 s.v. III מוֹרֶה. For discussion of the views, see J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah (NICOT), 1:560.