Isaiah 40:9
What does Isaiah 40:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 40:9 means
This verse issues a powerful command to a messenger, likely a group of exiles returning to Jerusalem, or the prophet himself. The command is to ascend a high mountain and boldly proclaim good tidings to Zion and all the cities of Judah. The message is simple yet profound: "Behold, your God!" This call emphasizes courage and strength in delivering the message, signaling that God's presence and intervention are about to be revealed in a tangible way for His people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000O 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!
KJV
King James Version · 1611O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901O 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!
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You who give good news to Zion, get up into the high mountain; you who give good news to Jerusalem, let your voice be strong; let it be sounding without fear; say to the towns of Judah, See, your God!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862On a high mountain get thee up, O Zion, Proclaiming tidings, Lift up with power thy voice, O Jerusalem, proclaiming tidings, Lift up, fear not, say to cities of Judah, `Lo, your God.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Get thee up upon a high mountain, thou that bringest good tidings to Sion: lift up thy voice with strength, thou that bringest good tidings to Jerusalem: lift it up, fear not. Say to the cities of Juda: Behold your God:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890O Zion, that bringest glad tidings, get thee up into a high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest glad tidings, lift up thy voice with strength: lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold yourGod!
Context
Having established the eternal nature of God's Word, this verse shifts back to the immediate application of that truth through a clear directive to proclaim good news. It transitions from a theological truth to a practical instruction for evangelism and encouragement. This command to announce God's arrival serves as a direct lead-in to descriptions of the Lord's coming and His manner of ruling.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
- 2 Chronicles 13:4
And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill-country of Ephraim, and said, Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel:
- Philippians 1:28
and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God;
- Isaiah 51:7
Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye dismayed at their revilings.
- Isaiah 25:9
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is Jehovah; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
- Isaiah 41:27
I am the first that saith unto Zion, Behold, behold them; and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.
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