This verse reads quite differently from Isaiah 6:9: “Hear ye indeed, but they understood not; and see ye indeed, but they perceived not” (emphasis added). This is a prophesied reaction of the people to Isaiah’s preachment. It is not what the Lord desires, of course, but he knew beforehand how the people would respond to Isaiah’s call to repentance. Isaiah’s ministry would have the ironic effect of causing rebellious Israelites to harden their hearts. This was later true also of the Messiah.