Isaiah 40:10
What does Isaiah 40:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 40:10 means
This verse describes the Lord Jehovah's magnificent arrival, portraying Him as a "mighty one" who will come with power and authority, personally ruling with His own "arm." His arrival is accompanied by "his reward" and "his recompense," indicating that He comes to justly administer to His creation either blessings or consequences. This imagery reinforces His sovereignty and the certainty of His active intervention in the affairs of His people, not as a passive observer, but as a triumphant king.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949See, the Lord God will come as a strong one, ruling in power: see, those made free by him are with him, and those whom he has made safe go before him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Lo, the Lord Jehovah with strength cometh, And His arm is ruling for Him, Lo, His hire <FI>is<Fi> with Him, and His wage before Him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold the Lord God shall come with strength, and his arm shall rule: Behold his reward is with him and his work is before him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come with might, and his arm shall rule for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompence before him.
Context
Building on the command to proclaim "Behold, your God!", this verse immediately elaborates on *how* God will come. It transitions from the announcement of His presence to a description of His powerful and authoritative arrival, establishing His reign. This depiction of God as a mighty ruler directly precedes the tender, pastoral image of His leadership.
v.9O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up on a high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold, your God!
v.10This passage
v.11He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 53:12
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
- John 12:13
took the branches of the palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried out, Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.
- Revelation 19:11
And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
- Isaiah 62:11
Behold, Jehovah hath proclaimed unto the end of the earth, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
- Psalms 66:3
Say unto God, How terrible are thy works! Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
- Isaiah 49:24
Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives be delivered?
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