Devine Scripture

Isaiah 40:3

What does Isaiah 40:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Isaiah 40:3 means

This verse famously introduces a prophetic voice calling for preparation in the wilderness for the arrival of the Lord. The imagery of leveling a highway in the desert signifies removing all obstacles, making the path smooth and straight for a king's grand advent. This prophecy finds its ultimate New Testament fulfillment in John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus Christ, the Lord Himself. It emphasizes that divine intervention requires human readiness and spiritual renewal.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

A voice of one crying, Make ready in the waste land the way of the Lord, make level in the lowland a highway for our God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

A voice is crying--in a wilderness--Prepare ye the way of Jehovah, Make straight in a desert a highway to our God.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the paths of our God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of Jehovah, make straight in the desert a highway for ourGod!

Context

Following the declaration of comfort and pardon, this verse introduces the means by which God's presence will be revealed. It shifts from the *why* of comfort to the *how* of God's coming, establishing a direct connection to a future messenger. This prophetic announcement marks the beginning of the anticipated divine visitation, immediately followed by descriptions of the transformation that will accompany it.

v.2Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she hath received of Jehovah’s hand double for all her sins.

v.3This passage

v.4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 1:76

    Yea and thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways;

  • John 1:23

    He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.

  • Isaiah 49:11

    And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.

  • Psalms 68:4

    Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts; His name is Jehovah; and exult ye before him.

  • Isaiah 62:10

    Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up an ensign for the peoples.

  • Matthew 3:1

    And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa, saying,

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