Deafness

The condition of being wholly, or partly, without hearing. It can be expressed in physical or spiritual terms and is often used to depict spiritual rebellion.

God's control of deafness

Exodus 4:11 See also Psalm 94:9; Proverbs 20:12; Luke 1:20, Luke 1:62

And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD?

Physical aspects of deafness

Compassion for the deaf

Leviticus 19:14

You must not curse the deaf or place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am the LORD.

Deafness sometimes caused by Satan

Mark 9:25

When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you to come out and never enter him again.”

Healed by Jesus Christ

Matthew 11:5 parallel Luke 7:22 See also Mark 7:32–37; Luke 22:49–51

The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Spiritual aspects of deafness

God deaf to a rebellious people

Deuteronomy 1:45 See also Psalm 28:1, Psalm 38:13, Psalm 39:12

And you returned and wept before the LORD, but He would not listen to your voice or give ear to you.

Rebellious humanity deaf to God

Jeremiah 6:10 See also Proverbs 28:9; Isaiah 6:10, Isaiah 42:19–20; Ezekiel 33:32, Ezekiel 37:4; Micah 7:16; Zechariah 7:11; Matthew 13:15; Mark 4:9–12; Luke 8:10; John 12:40; Acts 28:26–27; 2 Timothy 4:4; Revelation 2:7 Sin brings spiritual deafness.

To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.

The deafness of idols

Deuteronomy 4:28 See also Psalm 115:6, Psalm 135:17; Daniel 5:23; Revelation 9:20

And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.

Release from deafness

Through repentance

Isaiah 29:18 See also Isaiah 35:5, Isaiah 42:18

On that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of the deep darkness the eyes of the blind will see.

Through the coming of Jesus Christ

Luke 7:22 parallel Matthew 11:5 See also Mark 7:32–37

So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.