Isaiah 40:4
What does Isaiah 40:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 40:4 means
Continuing the imagery of preparing a royal highway, this verse describes a dramatic transformation of the landscape. Valleys will be elevated, mountains and hills brought low, and rough terrain made smooth. This physical imagery symbolizes the removal of all barriers, both literal and metaphorical, that hinder God's approach and the reception of His glory. It suggests a time of universal alignment and ease for the Lord's coming, implying that all hindrances to His reign will be overcome.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Every 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Every 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low, and let the rough places become level, and the hilltops become a valley,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Every valley is raised up, And every mountain and hill become low, And the crooked place hath become a plain, And the entangled places a valley.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Every valley shall be raised up, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places a plain.
Context
This verse elaborates on the practical implications of preparing the Lord's way described in the previous verse. It provides a visual depiction of the radical changes that will occur, underscoring the magnitude of the coming divine event. This detailed description of a leveled path directly precedes the revelation of God's glory, showing the necessary preconditions for such a display.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Samuel 2:8
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, He lifteth up the needy from the dunghill, To make them sit with princes, And inherit the throne of glory: For the pillars of the earth are Jehovah’s, And he hath set the world upon them.
- Psalms 113:7
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, And lifteth up the needy from the dunghill;
- Luke 1:52
He hath put down princes from their thrones, And hath exalted them of low degree.
- Isaiah 42:11
Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit; let the inhabitants of Sela sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
- Ezekiel 17:24
And all the trees of the field shall know that I, Jehovah, have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I, Jehovah, have spoken and have done it.
- Job 40:11
Pour forth the overflowings of thine anger; And look upon every one that is proud, and abase him.
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